Q: I miss seeing our friends, but the weekends are so busy, and it is too expensive to eat out! Any suggestions?

A: My suggestion is brunch. It is an inexpensive meal and the time commitment is small. It can be as easy and simple as bagels, fruit and coffee. Our it can be a more substantial meal. Often friends will offer to bring something - take them up on it. There is no reason to do it all yourself. Set the table the night before, and most brunch foods can be made the night before and put in the oven that morning.

A recipe you might want to try: 

Puffed Pancake ( serves 4 - 6)

2 eggs

1/2 c milk

1/4 t salt

1/2 c flour

1 T butter

1 T sugar

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 

In a small bowl, whisk eggs and then stir in milk, salt, sugar, and flour. Put butter in cast iron skillet or any oven proof skillet. Place skillet in oven one or two minutes until butter is melted. Swirl butter to coat the bottom and 1 inch around the sides.   Immediately pour in egg mixture and put back into the oven. 

Bake for 15 minutes. 

Take the pancake out, grab a fork and prick the bottom where it has puffed up. 

Reduce the oven to 350 degrees and continue baking eight to 10 minutes until puffed and golden brown. 

Remove from oven, place on serving plate. Serve with fruit, maple syrup, or lemon and powdered sugar.

Enjoy!