Breakfast Polenta
For the past few months, we've been enjoying breakfast polenta at the Whole Foods breakfast to-go bar. It's a nice little routine we have. I go to yoga on Sundays, Casey watches Coop and I pick up some polenta & coffee on my way back home. It's thick, creamy and super delicious. We sit at our kitchen table and devour it slowly while Cooper naps. It ties us over until our late afternoon lunch. And it's heaven.
This morning was different. I woke up with the urge to have Breakfast Polenta immediately! Not even coffee first. NOW. And since yoga is tomorrow, what excuse do I have to go out and pick some up? None.
I mentally prepared myself for this polenta adventure to be like risotto-- where I had to coax the grains into thickness by stirring it every second....babysitting it....for a long time. But NO!!! It all came together in a blink of an eye. It thickened up perfectly. I was even able to run away to help change a diaper in the process. Totally glamorous, huh? If it got too thick, I just added a little more milk.
The only challenging thing is cleaning up the pots & bowls...which are still sitting in the sink. It's Saturday, and I'll get to that later.
This recipe comes from Heidi at 101cookbooks. It's a wonderful post! You should read it! I like her idea of having a Breakfast Polenta party...and supplying all of the sides! A big batch, a room full of friends for brunch. What could be better? Playing around with sweet & savory toppings sounds pretty fun too!
It all starts with a cup of polenta.
Cherrywink Cookies
Flashback!
Two months ago I was at my parent's house discussing our favorite cookies at the dinner table. My mom told us that Cherrywinks were one of her favorites.
Cherrywinks? Say what?? What are Cherrywinks?
Apparently they are the classic cookies her grandmother made when she was younger! My dad agreed upon their deliciousness. He had his share from her too! If you could see how they beamed when discussing these cookies.... it was like Christmas morning! My mom got her Betsy Wetsy doll and my dad got that BB gun he wanted! The delight in their faces! The joy! Cookies!
The seed was planted. I must find the recipe and make them a batch.
Flash forward!
A month later, my mom handed me the recipe. She found it from her archives and it looked well loved. Thanks great- grandma for being so organized! I'm prepared to surprise them!
The top got damaged in transit. Don't kill me mom!
Earlier this week!
My mom's birthday arrived! So what better excuse to make her some?
So here they are!
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you! Continue reading→
Salted Pistachio Brittle
Have you met Kristen from The Kitchen Sink? Well you should!! Her website is food porn to the core! Her writing is absolutely lovely too. She recently did a guest post over at thekitchn.com about her Salted Pistachio Brittle. The pictures alone will find you instantly at the grocery store gathering ingredients.
I made some this weekend and they are fab!
Earl Grey Tea Cookies
Here's a good holiday gift idea for your tea loving friend...make them some earl grey tea cookies!
Poached Pears
Every Wednesday night I hang out with my gal pals and watch Glee! This week I volunteered to make dessert for the season finale (waah). Last week I made my sausage soup that ended up in my friend's driveway. Don't ever think you can put a pot of soup in a tote bag. It didn't work....and somehow I figured it wouldn't. Why did I insist on it anyways?
Give the gift of Treats!
Let's face it, this year giving presents will be a bit tough with the economy in the crapper. What better excuse to get into our kitchens and make stuff?!! It's fun, rewarding and it's a great way to show people that you care!!
I also find that baking late at night with a cocktail is VERY therapeutic. Agreed?
So I've compiled a little mash up of ideas for you!
If you want to treat your friends & family to some amazing candy, make:
Weekend Waffles with Joy!
Quick! There's still time!!! Make some batter tonight!
Make some weekend waffles with maple peppered bacon!! DO IT!!!
I got the recipe from of Joy the Baker!
Homemade Applesauce
The internet has been filled with people's weekend excursions to apple farms! I've looked at countless pictures of people picking apples, getting apple pies, and cider doughnuts.... It has made me SOO jealous. I WANT TO PICK APPLES! I want fresh doughnuts and apple cider!
So I had a little conversation with my neighbor today. (The neighbor that gives us peas, butternut squash, tomatoes, APPLES, etc.) Somehow I charmed her into giving me a whole flat of apples out of a conversation about her deck remodel! I promised her that I would applesauce RIGHT AWAY.
I wasn't kidding. I immediately got into the kitchen and plugged away.
And this is what I came up with! I must admit, I've never followed an actual applesauce recipe. I just remember what my mom taught me as a kid when we picked apples from my Grandma's house. Oh man, I remember that smell! We were always soo delighted to eat warm applesauce as kids.
When making applesauce, I live by the *taste as you go code.* It turned out perfectly! Because I can't sit here and write it out, I figure that I'll just show you.
Let's get started!
I started out with a huge bowl of apples. I think there were at least 12 in there.
