A Cup of Sugar ... A Pinch of Salt

Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins

This is one of those recipes that likely started out as banana bread. Remember during the height of the b=pandemic, everyone seemed to be making banana bread — myself included. And then, somewhere along the line, my “breads” (quick breads” started turning to muffins because they were easier to store and distribute… And then I stopped making banana bread altogether. Funny how that is all very cyclical.

Nevertheless, I made these Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins today and they are a yummy addition to my breakfasts this week!

29. January 2024

Cookies, Desserts, Sweet Snacks

Mini-Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons (2024 New and Improved Recipe!)

One of the things when you are making macaroons, is that you have to find a careful balance of egg whites to coconut: wet to dry, as it were. Most recipes under estimate the coconut requirement. I, on the other hand, have a tendency to try to stuff as much coconut as humanly possible while still hoping that the whole thing manages to stay held together. This is a “new and improved” recipe of one of my standbys and I think that they came out just perfect this time.

28. January 2024

Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches/Paninis, Savory Snacks

Make-ahead Spinach Mushroom and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

I love breakfast sandwiches. I don’t, however, love cooking every morning, so I started making batches of this style of breakfast sandwiches — baked eggs with “mix ins” on English muffins, ready to wrap and chill or freeze. They are very versatile: don’t like spinach and mushrooms, you can use chopped red bell peppers, ham, bacon bits, or even kimchi or asparagus. Swap out the cheese for swiss or gouda or raclette. Once made, can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 weeks.

27. January 2024

Appetizers/Starters, Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Savory Snacks

Puff Pastry Croque Madame

Breakfast on a miserable, wet, depressing Friday morning: Puff Pastry Croque Madame! What is a Croque Madame? Well, a Croque Monsieur (literal translation from French: Mr. Crunchy) is a fancy grilled cheese sandwich. A Croque Madame (Mrs. Crunchy!) is a grilled cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top — so a double fancy grilled cheese. I decided to make these open-faced and with store bought puff pastry. And OMG are they good. Light, fluffy, flavorful, pretty in a messy kind of way. And this recipe feeds a crowd (makes 8 and one is really filling; note that the recipes can be halved). It might take a little longer than a grilled cheese, but definitely much much better. Not only breakfast food, this could be lunch with a light salad or part of a brunch spread.

26. January 2024

Breakfast/Brunch, Dinner, Lunch

Shakshuka for One

I love Shakshuka. It’s a veggie heavy (onions, peppers, tomatoes), spicy, Middle Easter / North African dish that works well from breakfast to dinner. I’ve also made version with meat and seafood (shrimp/prawns) or spinach and/or zuccchini. You always poach eggs in the stew and add feta after it is out of the oven. Most of the recipes that I have found are “to feed a crowd” though, with 6 to 8 eggs, so I decided to make a version just for one, or possibly two people. Serve with crusty bread or pita.

25. January 2024

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