Pancake Biscuit: A Cozy Twist on a Classic

Biscuits are a beloved staple of the American breakfast table—golden on the outside, tender and fluffy within.  They’re often seen as a labor of love, the kind of thing Grandma perfected over decades.  But what if that flaky, comforting goodness didn’t require complicated steps or countless ingredients?  I discovered that pancake mix can be a brilliant shortcut, and I’ve never looked back.

One morning, craving something warm and homey but short on time, I reached for the pancake mix.  To my surprise, the results were light, golden biscuits that delighted everyone at the table.  It was one of those happy kitchen accidents that now feels like tradition.  Whether you’re feeding yourself or a crowd, these pancake biscuits deliver cozy satisfaction with minimal fuss—and maximum joy.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1/3 cup cold milk
• 1 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes

Directions:

1.    Preparing your baking sheet:

2.    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

3.    Preheating the oven:

4.    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

5.    Mixing the dough:

·         In a large bowl, add the pancake mix and cold butter cubes.

·         Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly gently.

·         Pour in the cold milk and stir with a fork just until a soft dough forms.

6.    Kneading the dough:

·         Lightly flour your work surface with a bit more pancake mix.

·         Turn the dough onto the surface and gently knead 10–12 times—just until it comes together.

7.    Rolling and Cutting:

·         Roll the dough out to about ½-inch thickness.

·         Use a biscuit cutter (or a round glass) to cut out biscuits.

8.    Baking:

·         Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.

·         Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden.

9.    Serving:

10.                       Let cool slightly and enjoy warm, plain, or with butter and jam!

 

Tip:

Use this biscuit dough to wrap around sausages or hot dogs for a quick and fun pigs in a blanket variation.

Cheddar Herb Pancake Mix Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1/3 cup cold milk
• 1 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• 1 tsp drie insert if the gym: d herbs (such as parsley, chives, thyme, or Italian seasoning)
• (optional: add a pinch of garlic powder for extra flavor)

Directions:

1.    Preparing the pan:

2.    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

3.    Preheating the oven:

4.    Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).

5.    Mix dry ingredients:

6.    In a mixing bowl, combine pancake mix, shredded cheese, and herbs.  Stir of downtime to distribute evenly.

7.    Cutting in the butter:

8.    Add cold butter cubes.  Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until the mixture is crumbly.

9.    Adding milk:

10.                       Pour in cold milk and stir just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

11.                       Kneading gently:

12.                       Lightly dust a surface with pancake mix.  Turn out the dough and knead gently about 10–12 times until it holds together.

13.                       Rolling and cutting:

14.                       Roll the dough to ½-inch thick.  Cut out biscuits using a biscuit cutter or a round glass.

15.                       Baking:

16.                       Place biscuits on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

17.                       Serving:

18.                       Serve warm! These pair well with soups, salads, or a cozy brunch.

 

Tip:

Swap cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or parmesan, depending on your mood.  For a buttery finish, brush the tops with melted garlic butter after baking.

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Pancake Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1/3 cup cold milk
• 1 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (or regular)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.    Prepping the baking sheet:

2.    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

3.    Preheating oven:

4.    Set oven to 400°F (200°C).

5.    Combining dry ingredients:

6.    In a mixing bowl, stir together pancake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate chips.

7.    Cutting in butter:

8.    Add cold butter cubes and mix with a fork until the mixture is crumbly.

9.    Adding milk:

10.                       Pour in the cold milk and mix gently until a soft dough forms.

11.                       Kneading and shaping:

12.                       Dust your work surface with a little pancake mix. Knead the dough gently 10–12 times.

13.                       Roll out to ½-inch thick and cut into rounds or fun shapes a biscuit cutter.

14.                       Baking:

15.                       Place on prepared pan and bake for 12–14 minutes or until lightly golden on the bottom.

16.                       Optional glazing:

17.                       Mix ¼ cup powdered sugar with 1 tsp milk or vanilla extract and drizzle over warm biscuits for extra sweetness.

 

Serving Tip:

Best enjoyed warm with a cup of tea or coffee.  You can also serve them with fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for a mini dessert!  You can also add fruits to the dough.

Vietnamese Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing — A Simple Touch of Flavor and Care

Some days, simplicity is the most beautiful ingredient.  With just garlic, onion, sugar, vinegar, and olive oil, this Vietnamese-style salad dressing brightens any plate of fresh vegetables.  It’s sweet, tangy, and gentle on the waistline—a favorite among women looking to eat clean without sacrificing flavor.  This dressing speaks to the quiet elegance of the everyday Vietnamese kitchen: quick, nourishing, and made with love.  Whether you’re preparing a light lunch for yourself or tossing something refreshing to share with loved ones, this vinaigrette brings out the natural beauty of fresh produce in a way that’s both healthful and heartful.  Just mix, pour, and sing a little while it settles.  This vinaigrette is perfect for days you want to feel light, eat healthy, or treat your veggies like they deserve the spotlight.  Whether you’re cooking solo or sharing a salad with family, I hope this easy recipe adds joy to your day—just like music does.

🕐 Ready in 15 minutes • Low-fat • High-fiber • Perfect for busy days or peaceful meals

 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup vinegar (white or rice vinegar recommended)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 1/4 cup diced white onion

Directions:

1.    In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the garlic and onion, stirring frequently until the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant.

2.    Remove the garlic and onion with a slotted spoon and set them aside.

3.    In the same pan, using the infused oil, add sugar, vinegar, and salt.  Stir well and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved.

4.    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (you can add more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tanginess).

5.    Return the cooked garlic and onion to the mixture.  Let cool before using.  Store in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.

 

Fresh Salad with Sweet Garlic Vinegar Dressing

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh green lettuce (or any lettuce of choice)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (halved or sliced)
• 1/4 cup of the prepared garlic vinegar dressing
• Fresh chili (optional, thinly sliced)
• A few sprigs of chopped cilantro
• (Optional) Thinly sliced red onions for extra flavor

Directions:

1.    Arrange the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and eggs on a large plate or in a salad bowl.

2.    Drizzle with about 1/4 cup of the garlic vinegar dressing, or to taste.

3.    Top with fresh chili, chopped cilantro, and optional red onion slices.

4.    Toss lightly before serving, or serve as a composed salad.

Zen Master Gessen and the Virtue of Endurance: A Living Bodhisattva in Disguise

Throughout Buddhist history, there have been monks whose lives were not only a testament to deep meditative insight but also vivid living teachings through their everyday actions.  One such figure is Zen Master Gessen, who was not only a skilled painter and a committed practitioner but, above all, a silent bodhisattva working tirelessly to benefit others.

A “Greedy Artist” or a Bodhisattva in Disguise?

Zen Master Gessen was well-known for charging high prices—always in advance—before painting a single stroke.  People of his time, unable to understand his ways, criticized him harshly, labeling him “money-hungry” and accusing him of being blinded by material gain. But the deeper story behind his actions revealed a profound compassion and extraordinary patience.

One day, a courtesan summoned him to paint a portrait.  Her only condition was that he must paint in her presence while she entertained a client.  Gessen agreed.  He painted the portrait in his exquisite style and demanded the highest fee of the time.  The courtesan mockingly paid him, then turned to her guest and said:

“This artist is obsessed with money.  His paintings are beautiful, but his soul is filthy.  Greed has stained his heart.  Art born from such a defiled spirit is unworthy of display.  It belongs only on the back of my underwear.”

Then, in an act of sheer humiliation, she removed her garment and challenged Gessen to paint another piece—on the back of her underclothes.

Calmly, Gessen asked, “How much will you pay me?”

She replied, “As much as you want.”

He named a hefty sum, painted exactly as requested, and left—unperturbed.

Only later did people discover the truth behind his so-called greed:

1.    Famine frequently plagued his hometown, and the wealthy often turned a blind eye to the suffering of the poor. Secretly, Gessen had built a food storage facility to provide relief during those times of dire need.

2.    The road from his village to the imperial temple was treacherous, causing hardship for countless travelers.  Gessen wished to repair and rebuild it for the public good.

3.    His late teacher passed away without fulfilling a lifelong dream—to build a temple.  Gessen resolved to complete this noble wish on his behalf.

After all three goals were accomplished, Gessen abandoned painting altogether, leaving behind his brushes and tools.  He retired to the mountains, never to paint again.

The Power of Patience and the Heart of a Bodhisattva

To be publicly humiliated by a courtesan—especially in front of a stranger—would be unbearable even for an ordinary artist, let alone a monk.  Yet Gessen remained composed, responding with neither anger nor ego. His sole focus was on fulfilling his noble intentions for the benefit of others.  One could say he had attained a liberated mind amid the tangled net of worldly entanglements.

Gessen’s response wasn’t weakness—it was strength born from realization.  He had transcended ego and personal pride.  He had no need to defend his reputation because his goal was never to glorify himself but to serve.  His patience wasn't passive endurance; it was an active, courageous letting go.

A Mirror for Modern-Day Practitioners

In today’s world, many of us are quick to take offense, easily wounded by criticism, attached to pride and praise.  But from Gessen’s example, we learn:

·         True practice isn't escaping from life but remaining untouched by its mud while living within it.

·         Compassion doesn’t always wear a soft smile—it can come as silent endurance, purposeful action, and hidden sacrifice.

·         Real patience is not just tolerance, but the strength to transcend ego in service of higher vows.

In the form of a “greedy painter,” Gessen manifested as a bodhisattva sowing seeds of compassion in the harsh soil of worldly misunderstanding. His path needs no fanfare—only the quiet awakening of those who see beyond appearances.

Stir-Fry Green Beans with Shrimp

In a world that moves at lightning speed, nourishing your loved ones shouldn't mean sacrificing quality for convenience.  This quick and wholesome stir-fry proves that even the busiest schedules can accommodate thoughtful, delicious meals.

Growing up, I watched my mother prepare comforting dishes in minutes, guided by instinct and love rather than measurements. Today, I carry that spirit into the kitchen, blending tradition with everyday practicality.  This recipe —made with freezer-friendly shrimp and green beans, and brightened by homemade garlic paste—is my way of bringing that legacy to modern life.

Tailored for working women and busy households, it’s a simple yet satisfying dish that celebrates flavor, family, and a little ingenuity.

So grab your wok, and let’s cook something beautiful together.

 

Ingredients:

1 lb. Green Beans

1 lb. of shrimp (frozen, ready to cook)

2 tbsp garlic paste ( published on July 15) or

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium white or red onion, sliced

2 green onions sliced for garnish

Stir-fry sauce ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp fish sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 tsp chicken powder

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp cornstarch

 

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the shrimp with half of the garlic paste, a little salt, and pepper to marinate for 30 minutes.

In a wok, heat the oil, then add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink.  Remove from the wok.

Add about one tablespoon of oil to the wok and add the onion, cooking it until it is slightly charred.  Add the green beans, tossing them with the onions, then pour in the sauce.  Cook over moderate heat or until the green beans are crisp-tender.  Add shrimp and green onion to the wok. Toss everything together and remove from the heat.