All posts tagged brunch

sweet goat cheese + candied walnut tarts.

by shannon on March 27, 2013 in brunch, desserts with 33 Comments

sweet goat cheese + candied walnut tarts.

Odd things happen when you completely plan on working and making food during your vacation, only to find that any and all attempts at making food and writing about it are fruitless. It’s a difficult mix of emotions: I love being in the kitchen, but as it turns out, mostly I prefer being in my own kitchen. Also, writing has now become easier to do than to not do, which is thrilling/scary. Documenting the day-to-day seems to have become an essential part of my day-to-day, in a very natural way, perhaps for the first time ever (or perhaps it’s just the first time I’ve noticed.)

So I missed this, our little time together. I had every intention of writing, but foolishly decided to just take the iPad instead of the laptop on our journey. This was folly. Continue reading →

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fresh mushroom + goat cheese tart.

by shannon on March 7, 2013 in brunch, mains with 46 Comments

mushroom + goat cheese tart.

There’s nothing like a huge mistake and utter distress to rally the troops around here, right? All of you – every single one of you – were so, so nice about me missing my Deb Perelman meet and greet the other day; to say I was touched would be an understatement. You know how in the moment everything seems to just be such an epic thing? That’s how I felt. Your sweet comments and emails made me feel better about the whole thing; I am human, these things happen, I’m not the only person to get caught in traffic on the way to do something important, for sure. I wrote her an email which was most likely too long, but we all know how I am with the wordiness; I hope she writes back, as it would make my life. Because the thing is, I did meet Deb, for a few hours at her luncheon. Sure, we only got a few seconds to talk one-one one, but listening to her talk and answer questions while eating her food for lunch was a fantastic experience, and I was all too happy to furiously type notes out for you. Here we go.

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monday bites: toasted coconut + pecan bread.

by shannon on February 18, 2013 in breakfast, brunch with 26 Comments

toasted coconut + pecan bread.

It’s official: my annual brunch obsession has started. I experience this every year, and I think it’s because I begin thinking about Easter. I host it every year (party alert!) and it gets very brunchy around these parts. I know some people eschew the idea of brunch as ridiculous, but I have always been a big fan of the breakfast/lunch combo, especially when it’s well thought out and gives a nod to both meals equally. Don’t give me a bunch of lunch stuff and some eggs; alternatively, keep your full breakfast spread with some salad thrown in for good measure away from me. A good brunch should blend the best of both meals together; it’s not always to do, and that’s why my planning for Easter begins early.  Continue reading →

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monday bites: raspberry lemon buttermilk muffins.

by shannon on January 21, 2013 in breakfast, brunch with 34 Comments

raspberry lemon buttermilk muffins.

I’ve switched obsessions; raspberry is my thing this week, it seems. Call it a mixed berry slump; I feel like I haven’t had decent berries around in forever, and I miss them. Summer berries are my favorite, and although you can find berries in the store right now, they leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, frozen raspberries are a great substitute, especially when you feel a deep urge to swirl some through ice cream (which you’ll see later this week) or bake them into muffins. Continue reading →

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farmers’ market monday: the best oatmeal ever.

by shannon on September 3, 2012 in breakfast, brunch with 23 Comments

Also known as Orange-Scented Steel-cut Oatmeal + Apple Raisin Filling + Cinnamon Maple Cream, but try to fit that on a subject line.

Because everyone should have a good breakfast in the morning, but for me? I’d rather have an excellent breakfast. This counts as a Farmers’ Market Monday because of the apples, but I’m here for a much more serious purpose: To get Movita Beaucoup off to baking school with a happy, not-nevous tummy. This should do it. I have made for her – and for all of you – the most amazing steel-cut oatmeal ever found in nature. You’ll feel so good about yourself in the morning when you finish a bowl of this, you won’t have the brain space to be worried about anything in your upcoming day. You’ll feel like you could conquer the world. And if you don’t think you have time for all this steel-cut oatyness in the morning, think again; because I made this one “instant,” just for you. Promise. Continue reading →

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maple butter cupcakes + honey apricot frosting.

by shannon on January 27, 2012 in breakfast, brunch, desserts, snacks with 4 Comments

I think I hold the world record for “number of times a grocery list is made and then left on the table.” I love lists. I make lists about everything; what my plans are each day, any appointments I have, what I’d like to accomplish around here every day (sometimes broken down by topic and/or room). It makes me feel better. calmer. like I’m not winging around here forgetting something at one time I deemed important. Lists make me confident that nothing will slip through the cracks of my day.  Continue reading →

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blueberry + pecan sticky buns.

by shannon on December 17, 2011 in breakfast, brunch with 1 Comment

Here’s the thing: these are crazy delicious. Too good to eat on a regular basis. I’m not going to lie and say you should make these all the time; you absolutely, positively should not. Save that for slightly more healthy things, like cranberry orange muffins. These maybe fall into the category of “whoa: get these away from me, I’m going to gain 5 pounds just looking at these big, beautiful, dripping-with caramel buns.” So, special occasion breakfasts then. Proceed with caution.  Continue reading →

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red pepper + goat cheese frittata.

by shannon on November 21, 2011 in breakfast with No comments

On thanksgiving morning, we normally do something pastry-ish. I’m unsure why, but we rotate between a New York-style crumb coffee cake or homemade monkey bread. Thinking about this tradition on a non-Thanksgiving morning, to be honest, makes me a little sick; if only because sweet breakfast foods seem a little unnecessary on the morning you’re going to stuff yourself full of food. I may feel differently this Thursday morning; we’ll see.  Continue reading →

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