I may be jumping the gun a bit with this post. I know fall hasn't officially arrived yet, but I'm ready for some fall flavors. It's always interesting to observe how my cravings follow the change of seasons. During warm weather seasons, I'm drawn to lighter fare, like salads, veggies, chicken, and fish. Cooler weather finds me craving soups, stews, and casseroles. … [Read more...]
Biscuits with Grandma
Grandma's house was very familiar. Perhaps it was because I spent so much time there as a youngster. My grandparents built the family home at 703 South Meridian Street in the 1920s. The quaint bungalow had a large front and side porch, both outfitted with swings and rocking chairs, where the family spent countless hours visiting and watching traffic pass. During the summer, I often took respite … [Read more...]
BLT Pizza with Egg
I don't usually think of pizza as typical breakfast food. Anytime we have leftover pizza from the night before, Jim is happy to eat it cold in the morning. Me? Not so much. But, I'm happy to eat BLT Pizza that I made for today's post. This healthy pizza made with whole wheat crust makes the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and if you use store-bought pizza dough, you can put it together in … [Read more...]
Banana, Walnut, and Chocolate Focaccia
We recently traveled to New York to attend the wedding of some good friends. Just around the corner from their loft in the Flatiron District, we discovered Eataly, my new favorite spot in the city. The New York Times described it as a "megastore" that "combines elements of a bustling European open market, a Whole-Foods-style supermarket, a high-end food court and a New Age learning center." An … [Read more...]
Bacon-Mushroom Frittata {Plus a Cookbook Giveaway}
Fellow southerner and best-selling cookbook author, Morgan Murphy, recently sent me a copy of his latest cookbook for Southern Living. Bourbon & Bacon: The Ultimate Guide to the South's Favorite Food Groups reflects his love of "the smokiest and most American flavors known to man". This cookbook is not for the faint of heart. In Morgan's words, "The total fat and alcohol content of Bourbon … [Read more...]
Avocado Toast with Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil, Bacon, and Egg
When we were growing up, my Mom struggled to get some breakfast in us before school. I'm not sure why, but I've never been one to eat a big morning meal. Usually these days, a couple of boiled eggs get me through the morning. Sometimes on Sunday morning, though, the mood strikes me for something a little more substantial. When I do eat a more ample morning meal, I'd have to say my favorite … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon and Sage
Some Sunday mornings call for something special for breakfast. For no particular reason, today was one such Sunday. We arose at a decent hour for a weekend and after two cappuccinos, growling stomachs demanded some sustenance. The "cook of the house" (that would be me) needed to feed the "almost everything else person of the house" (that would be Jim) something he would enjoy for all he does to … [Read more...]
Biscotti with Dried Cherries, Macadamia Nuts, and White Chocolate
I'm absolutely sure that some of the best food I've ever had was in Italy several years ago. Driving around the countryside of Tuscany, we explored tiny villages and always stopped at the local osteria where no one spoke English. Pointing and speaking broken Italian, we ordered food as best we could. What arrived on our table always delighted our taste buds. I vividly remember a plate of … [Read more...]
Caramelized Banana Crepes with Peanut Butter Sauce
In my book, bananas and peanut butter make perfect companions. Sometimes, late at night when I'm craving something sweet but want a relatively healthy snack, I grab a banana, a jar of peanut butter, and a knife and my sweet tooth is satiated. Crepes are basically very thin pancakes and couldn't be easier to make. They can be built as a delicious breakfast, a decadent dessert, or a main dinner … [Read more...]
Blueberry Banana Scones
We're not big breakfast eaters during the week, but weekends sometimes call for something baked and delicious to accompany our morning cappuccino. I posted a pear and cheddar scone recipe a few months ago and as I was fantasizing about how good they were, I started looking around the kitchen to see what what ingredients I had at hand. The blueberries in my freezer and ripe bananas in my fruit bowl … [Read more...]
Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
I guess since I write a blog about southern food, it was high time that I posted a biscuit recipe. As a child, I vividly remember homemade biscuits on my grandmother's table at almost every meal. She always had sorghum molasses on the table and my favorite way to eat her hot biscuits was to top them with a generous amount of butter and molasses. I regret that I never got her recipes for some of … [Read more...]
Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms
Sometimes, breakfast for dinner hits the spot. We were late getting home last night and I wanted something for dinner that was quick and easy. I had all the ingredients for this recipe in the fridge and in less than 30 minutes dinner was ready. This nutritious dinner was just the ticket. I've made creamed spinach as a side dish for years and the addition of eggs made this dish a complete meal. … [Read more...]