I like a little silliness in the Mardi Gras season. Lots of sprinkles and glitter and fun. I have taken a classic recipe for what I have always called French puffs (I hear they are now sometimes called duffins for donut/muffin) and added a Mardi Gras twist with colored sanding sugar. The muffin is simple, vanilla scented and not too sweet, but a dip in cinnamon sugar gives a … [Read more...] about French Quarter Breakfast Puffs
breakfast
Gingerbread Baked Apples
For my family, Christmas day brunch is part of our tradition. A nice, big spread with biscuits and jam, grits and egg casserole, maybe country ham or bacon or homemade sausage. Maybe a French toast casserole, or one with hashbrowns. And fruit. Sometimes a baked fruit casserole with canned fruit, sometimes a fresh fruit salad. I like to mix it up a … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Baked Apples
Orange Clove Caramel Spread
Do you remember pushing whole cloves into an orange to use as a Christmas decoration? We called them pomanders and I just love the smell of orange peel and clove. It speaks to me of Christmas. With a pretty ribbon pinned to the top to tie to the tree or sitting on the counter fragrancing the kitchen. But pushing those cloves into the oranges with your thumb really hurt. I … [Read more...] about Orange Clove Caramel Spread
Overnight Scones with Many Variations
Life is lurching back to gear again. Whether it’s back to school, or back to work after a vacation or just that sense that you need to buckle down now that days are starting to get shorter. The change of pace from languid summer to busy autumn can be jarring and cooking can fall by the wayside, at least for a while. And figuring out breakfast can be an afterthought. We’ve all … [Read more...] about Overnight Scones with Many Variations
Maple Blueberry Loaf
I love the combination of blueberries and maple. I know it may be a little incongruous, sweet summer berries and a flavor more associated with fall, but it is a fabulously deep and sweet combination. I tinkered around with various ideas for a loaf of quick bread or cake combining the two, and with this recipe absolutely hit the jackpot. Dense maple-y cake with pops of berry in … [Read more...] about Maple Blueberry Loaf
