I have noticed a common theme to the second half of summer since my kids started school. Baking. Lots of baking. At the start of the summer, everyone is just excited to be out of school (well not Sammy, but that is a different matter), and excited to be doing summery things, like swimming, camp,…
Bacon and Farro Salad
Today–the day of writing this, not posting it– was the last day of school. Such a bittersweet day, full of so many conflicting emotions. The kids of course feel no such conflict. Alex is ebullient with joy while Sammy is devastated. I feel much of both. On the one hand, our schedule is once again…
Buckwheat & Yogurt Waffles with Hot Buttered Maple Syrup
I never used to butter my waffles. To me it was added fat that I could not taste. Mind you, we are talking about a habit that stretches back to my early childhood, so who knows if I really could taste the butter or not. And then I was talking to a friend, who commented…
Salted Browned Butter Honey and Oat Cookies
When I was growing up, my grandparents lived within easy driving distance of my home. My maternal grandpa and grandma, whom I have written about here before, lived 45 minutes away in the country. My dad’s parents lived around the outer belt in a different suburb of Columbus. I was very close to both of my grandmothers,…
Gingerbread Pancakes
We seriously believe in birthdays in this house. OK, *I* seriously believe in birthdays, and so my kids do now too. I am not sure John had a huge say in the matter. But anyway, that explains why it does not phase me in the least to cook for 4 different birthday celebrations per kid.
Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I have actually dreamt about these cookies since making them. They are hands down the best cookie I have had in ages–which is not to detract from any of the other fabulous cookies I have waiting to share with you. They are good, in some cases amazing, too. But this one, well… Wow. It was…
Blueberry Crisp Parfait
I am willing to buy certain fruits and veggies year round. Maybe because they are only available from far away (citrus, anything tropical), they are not grown in abundance locally (broccoli) or they are so necessary either in the winter (onions, peppers, garlic) or for specific preparations (galangal, lemongrass). But certain fruits and veggies, we…
Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake
Like many people, we tend to get into ruts where breakfast is concerned. This problem is even worse for non-morning people, like myself, because we are not going to get up earlier–even by 10 minutes–to add cooking time to our morning routine. Nor are we capable of much thought, let alone creativity, for a good…