Ricotta Pancakes and Smoked Pork Drizzled with Homemade Bourbon Syrup

Boxed pancake mix is only meant to be used as a shortcut. They are essentially asking to be, as my Mom would say, "doctored up." Today we used Jiffy mix and added to the standard recipe on the box. 
2 cups Jiffy mix
1 1/4 c milk
2 eggs
2 tbs oil
We did this and ran with it adding
1/2 c ricotta cheese
1/3# smoked pork 
and bourbon syrup
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c regular sugar
1/4 t real vanilla extract
1/2 c water and
1/4 c bourbon, we used Makers, like there'd be any other. 
I had my pancake maker working the grill whilst I was making syrup and building these masterpieces. 
Add the sugars and water to a smallish (Tim Halverson-ism) pan on high heat just to boil.
Turn heat down to low, if you're using an electric stove remove while burner cools down. Let syrup barely bubble for 5-7 minutes or so and add bourbon. Stir and let rest while building the stacks. 
We added an egg cooked in brown butter, I know all these color distinctions, right?
Feel free to click for a larger image. 

Tequila, Lime, Shrimp, & Mango over Angel Hair Pasta

Sauté some garlic in olive oil, add some chopped red peppers, celery, and onions. 
Sauté until onions are translucent. 
Mix 2 tbs lime juice, 2 tbs tequila, and 1/2 tsp corn starch and set aside.
Add chopped mango to skillet, then thawed peeled raw shrimp. 
When shrimp begins to look pink on bottom, gently flip the shrimps over and cook an additional 2 minutes or so. 
Cook just until shrimp is 90% done and move everything to the outer edge of the pan. 
Add the tequila mixture to the middle well of the pan and agitate until it thickens. 
Mix well and serve over hot cooked whole wheat angel hair pasta.  

Easy Translation

Stuffed Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken

2 oz cream cheese
1/4 c Blue cheese crumbled
1-1/2 # boneless chicken breast cut into 6 pcs
1/4 c flour
1/4 c Texas Pete's hot sauce (my favorite)
1/4 tsp celery seed
2 cups crushed kettle cooked potato chips

Preheat oven to 400*
Combine softened cheeses in a bowl
Cut slit in each piece of chicken and stuff with cheese mixture, set aside.
Combine flour in dish, salt, pepper, to season.
Combine Texas Pete and celery seed in another dish.
Crush chips in a third bowl.
Dust chicken with flour, sauce, then roll in chips.
Place cheese side up, on coated baking sheet. Spray chicken with cooking spray and bake at 400* for 30-40 minutes or until chicken reads 170* 

Jäger Bacon

Reduce 1 cup Jägermeister about 10 minutes on low simmer reducing by 1/2.  Be sure to sample the Jäger at least once before pouring into pan.
Dredge or brush bacon using all of the reduced Jäger and bake on a sheet pan at 375* for about 35-40 minutes. 

Zucchini Cheese Bites

3 cups thinly sliced unpeeled zucchini (4 small)

1 cup biscuit mix

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, slightly beaten

Poached Egg, Bacon, and Avocado Open-Faced Sandwich

This is really easy but I had to post. Just toast a bagel, add cream cheese (if desired,) smash 1/4 avocado onto each 1/2, season, add bacon, and top with a poached egg. Season again and serve.