Celebrate New Year's Eve With Us!

Scandinavian Almond Bars

This recipe is so easy and delicious. Hope you enjoy it as much as my family does! I put a little red and green  food coloring in the frosting to make it pretty for the holiday.

Scandinavian Almond Bars

1 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and almond extract. Beat well. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and add to butter/egg mixture. Divide dough into fourths. Form each into a 12 inch roll. Place two rolls 4 to 5 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten to about 3 inches wide. Repeat with remaining rolls. Brush flattened rolls with milk and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 325 for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. While cookies are still warm, cut crosswise at a diagonal into 1 inch strips. Cool and drizzle with almond icing (recipe below).

Almond Icing

Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and enough milk (3 to 4 teaspoons) to make icing drizzling consistancy.

ENJOY!!!

Happy Holidays

With the Christmas tree up, we're ready for the holidays over here at the Pelican Cove Inn! Need a vacation, or some extra space for the family? Come book a stay and enjoy the rest of your holiday season with the gorgeous ocean view and beautiful blue skies of Carlsbad, CA. (:

Winter Weather, Not So Much

Which temp are you? Check out the beautiful blue skies here in sunny Carlsbad, CA! Who would have thought weather could be this nice at the end of November? Need living proof? Come book a stay at our Inn and enjoy all a southern California winter has to offer, sunshine and all! (: 

Scotch Eggs

Scotch eggs are so easy to make and are usually a hit with adults AND kids. Below is the recipe for the eggs and also the sauce.

SCOTCH EGGS

The night before:
Hard boil the number of eggs you want to cook, peel them and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning:
Move oven rack to top third of the oven and then preheat oven to 450
Take 1 chub of ground sausage (I use Jimmy Dean HOT) for every five eggs
Squeeze out each chub into five equal blobs
Wrap egg in sausage and pack like a snowball
Put in uncovered baking dish and bake for 30 minutes

SAUCE

2 TBS butter
2 TBS flour
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp ground mustard
pepper to taste

Melt butter in a saucepan and add flour to make a rue. Add chicken broth and milk, mix well and heat to thicken. Add mustard, pepper and cheese. Mix well and serve over scotch egg.
Enjoy!

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!!

These are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted!  It is a little unusual in that you melt the butter and use a lot more vanilla. We found it on the internet at allrecipes.com a few years ago and we have been using it ever since. Enjoy!

Best Big, Fat, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 and grease cookie sheets

Sift together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together melted butter and sugars. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto prepared cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.

Bake 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on racks and enjoy!

Here at Pelican Cove Inn we sure have a lot to be thankful for, from  our beautiful city of Carlsbad, Ca, to our wonderful guests that come visit. We would love to see you and your families this holiday season, and look forward to sharing our southern California Thanksgiving with you all! Hope to see you soon! (:

Crowds at the Beach

The only crowds at the beach are the birds!!  Love this time of year.  The water is still warm.  The weather is beautiful.  Come stay at Pelican Cove Inn and enjoy this lovely time of year!!

Art Splash!!

Every September Art Splash is held here in Carlsbad.  It is a wonderful event and the proceeds go to our local schools to help keep art and music available for the students.  Stay at Pelican Cove Inn and make a weekend out of it.  Here at Pelican Cove Inn, 10% of the income for the weekend of the 27th and 28th will be donated to Art Splash.  For more information on Art Splash, go to www.carlsbadartsplash.org .   

Pedego Bikes

Pedego Electric Bikes has opened in the Village of Carlsbad.  What a fun addition to the Village! They are located walking distance from the Pelican Cove and rent electric and regular bikes.  They also have tour packages.  The Dali Lama Tour, Romantic Picnic and Oceanside Pier and Harbor Tour.  Check it out next time you come to stay at the Pelican Cove Inn.  For more information you can check their website www.pedegocarlsbad.com.

Wednesday Night Farmer's Market

I am so glad I made it up the to newly redone Farmer's Market here in the Village of Carlsbad.  So many wonderful choices and so nicely set up.  It really adds so much to the Farmer's Market experience.  The Market is just a few blocks away from the Pelican Cove Inn and since it is open from 3 to 7, you can walk up and enjoy a great evening in Carlsbad.  Make sure to check it out when you are in town on a Wednesday.

Angel Kisses Cookies

Love these cookies!!  You can also put mini snickers bars or rolos on instead of kisses if you wish. Enjoy!

Angel Kisses Cookies
½ cup butter
¾ cup peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 TBS milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
About 30 chocolate kisses (or any mini chocolate candy)

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butters and sugars together until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Form into balls (about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter). Roll in sugar. Flatten a little bit. Bake for 8 minutes. When they come out, press an unwrapped chocolate kiss into each cookie. Enjoy!

Carlsbad Beach Fest Tomorrow!!!

Come join the fun at the Carlsbad Beach Fest being held tomorrow, June 15th on the beautiful beach here in Carlsbad.  For more information go to http://carlsbadbeachfest.com/ .  See you there!!!

Beautiful Bird of Paradise!!

These are such a unique flower that we have here in Carlsbad.  I planted these almost 10 years ago and never had any blooms until now.  I know I don't have a green thumb, but 10 years....that is a bit much.  Oh well!  Glad to have them blooming in my yard now!! 

The Pelican Cove Inn had a promotional video produced and we love the result!  Click HERE to see it!

Oatmeal Pancakes

This delicious recipe was given to me by some wonderful guests.  Worth trying!  The recipe is listed below. 

OATMEAL PANCAKES

Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (more or less to your taste)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix oats and buttermilk. Refrigerate overnight. Before cooking, stir in eggs, and butter. Stir just until blended; set aside. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to oat mixture, stir just until blended (or moistened). Spoon 1/3 cup batter onto a lightly greased griddle on medium heat (350 degree) turn when tops look bubbly. You can top with fresh fruit/warmed blueberry sauce/chopped apples/nuts or whatever suits you.  Great served with yogurt on top. 

R.O.C. Race

The R.O.C. Race (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) is happening on May 11th at the Del Mar Race Track.  This event is to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  I have never done it before so this should be interesting.  I will probably need that free beer at the end!!  It should be a great time and a great cause at the same time.  Win/Win for all!!! Check out the race's web site www.rocrace.com .  If this year is full, come stay with us next year at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com and join in the fun!

Carlsbad Street Fair May 5th

The Carlsbad Street Fair is coming back to Carlsbad on Sunday May 5th.  This one day event is a great way to get your Mother's Day shopping done.  So many unique things to buy and see.  Stay at the Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com and you can walk to the Street Fair from here.  See you there!!

Lovely Roses

Our roses are coming in so beautifully this year!  I had pruned them back so far in January I kind of wondered if I had killed them.  Guess not!  They liked it.  This time of year is so lovely in Carlsbad.  Flowers everywhere you look.  Come stay at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com and enjoy spring!

San Diego Jazz Festival Held Here In Carlsbad

This event will be held just over Memorial Day weekend.  A fun way to listen to some great music when you are on your Carlsbad Beach Vacation.  The venue is just a short 10-15 minute drive away from the Bed and Breakfast.

Ham Asparagus Strata

My neighbor, Anne, brought over some fresh asparagus from her garden.  I used it in my Ham Asparagus Strata and it made it even more delicious than usual!!  The recipe is below.

Asparagus Cheese Strata

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh asparagus       

Boiling salted water

6 slices whole wheat bread

Butter or margarine

2 ¼ cups (9oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup coarsely chopped cooked ham

5 eggs

2 tbs instant minced onion

¾ tsp each dry mustard and Worcestershire

¼ tsp each salt and garlic powder

Dash cayenne

1 ¾ cups of milk

Directions:

            Remove tough ends from fresh asparagus and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Drop into boiling salted water to cover; cook rapidly just until tender (about 4 minutes). Lift from pan with slotted spoon, drain, and set aside. (If using frozen asparagus, cook as directed on package; drain and set aside.)

            Trim crusts from bread. Butter slices lightly and fit into a lightly buttered 7-by-11-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of the cheese over bread slices. Top with ham and asparagus pieces in even layers.

            In a bowl, stir together eggs, onion, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Add milk and beat together until mixture is well blended. Pour evenly over layered ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

            Bake, uncovered, in 350 F oven for 30 minutes; then top with the remaining ¾ cup cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until center of strata appears firm when dish is gently shaken. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Make 6 to 8 servings.  

Carlsbad 5000: Another Successful Race in 2013

The Carlsbad 5000 was run here in Carlsbad on this past Sunday.  It is so nice that the Inn is walking distance to the Start and Finish of the race.  I had 7 of my 10 rooms occupied by at least one runner.  Come stay with us next year for this fun weekend! www.pelican-cove.com 

Day Trip to San Juan Capistrano Mission

 Taking the train to the San Juan Capistrano Mission is a fun day trip from the Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com .  You can either take the coaster to Oceanside from Carlsbad Village or drive to Oceanside and park at the train station there. You can then catch the Amtrak or Metrolink from Oceanside to San Juan Capistrano.  It is only about a 30 minute ride along the coast.  The train stops across the street from the Mission and there are lots of shops and restaurants to spend a little time.  My friend and I ate at a place called Sundried Tomato and it was fabulous.  Great way to spend a day!

Carlsbad Flower Fields

The Flower Fields of Carlsbad are open and will soon be in full bloom. We have had cooler weather which will make the bloom even more spectacular than normal since there will be more sections blooming at one time.  Easter should be a perfect time to visit.  You can check out the Flower Fields website at www.theflowerfields.com .  Come stay at Pelican Cove www.pelican-cove.com and purchase one of the picnic basket/flower field packages to enjoy the fields and a delicious lunch.

Carlsbad Strawberries Are Back!!!

All I can say is "YUM"!!!  We are so lucky in Carlsbad to have three consecutive strawberry growing seasons.  We will get these beauties until September.  Nothing adds color to a breakfast plate like bright red strawberries.  You can even go and pick your own if you want to.  Come stay at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com and enjoy some with YOUR breakfast!

Pacific Coast Grill...Great Food Great View!

I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at the Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff by the Sea with my in laws.  What a beautiful venue!  The food was great and the view was also spectacular.  Give it a try next time you are in the  area.  This restaurant is a lovely 10 mile beach drive down the coast from the Pelican Cove Inn Bed and Breakfast .

Valentine Angel Kisses

Angel Kisses Cookies

½ cup butter

¾ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 TBS milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

About 30 chocolate kisses

Preheat oven to 375.  Cream butters and sugars together until fluffy.  Add egg, milk and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add flour, baking soda and salt.  Form into balls (about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter).  Roll in sugar.  Flatten a little bit.  Bake for 8 minutes.  When they come out, press an unwrapped chocolate kiss into each cookie.  Enjoy! 

** This is the same recipe I have posted before, just dressed up for Valentine's Day and used Resees cups instead of chocolate kisses.  

Baked Grapefruit

This is a great way to serve grapefruit if you are looking for something a little different.  Just put some butter, brown sugar and cinnamon on top and broil for 7 minutes.  Really good on a chilly day.

Homemade Lemonade!!

Our lemon tree in the back yard is producing so many lemons!  My husband, Kris, makes the best homemade lemonade.  When he makes the simple syrup for the lemonade, he adds a couple basil leaves for an added refreshing flavor.  It is so delicious!  We will enjoy it while we watch the Superbowl.