Creamy Brown Sugar Vanilla Polenta

Simple Pleasures. It is something that I have done my entire life but never put a name to it until seeing a Hallmark movie a few years ago called The Wish List.

The lead in the movie reminds me of so many people who are part of my every day life. The lead character is all about organization and focusing strictly on her goals in life. Then she meets this man -a barista- who is the opposite of everything that she is. Fast foward. They fall in love and live happily ever after. Typical Hallmark movie. But there is a scene where she is disgusted as he bite into this sloppy, juicy burger. He explains to her that it is his "simple pleasure" for the day. Every day he allows himself to have one thing that he enjoys and he takes the time to truly enjoy it.

What a great concept right?

I often find myself swept up in the chaotic mess that is American society. Let's face it, we all want perfection in our lives. I, myself am a highly goal oriented person. I however always take a few moments each day to do something that I enjoy and just remove myself from the craziness that typically consumes my world.

Yesterday my simple pleasure was driving off Raleigh with a friend for sushi. This morning it was enjoying this porridge on my front porch watching the sun come up over the trees and warm the earth.

Baked Pecan-Pear French Toast

For some reason, I am hooked on these baked french toast recipes. They are simple to throw together and spend the perfect amount of time in the oven so that I can get ready for the day while it bakes into the perfect morning treat.

It also give the house the aroma of fresh baked goodies first thing in the morning, a great motivation to get moving on a lazy weekend morning.

Cinnamon Apple Streusel Baked French Toast with Caramel Sauce

I woke up wanting apple pie. However apple pie requires a fair amount of work. And it requires that you have more than 2 apples. So I improvised. Pie isn't a good breakfast choice anyways, right?

This morning's breakfast was simple to make but oh so yummy!

Brown Sugar Waffles

Last week I got a new gadget.

It is probably something I should have gotten a while ago.

A waffle iron!

Since I am me, I couldn't start with a boring, plain waffle.

I started out with a waffle that had a nice, crisp outside. I cannot stand a soggy waffle. The sugar in this recipe allows it to get nice and crisp on the outside.

Brown Sugar Waffles (makes 4 7-8" waffles)
1 3/4 C All Purpose Flour
1/4 C Light Brown Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt

2 Large Eggs

1 3/4 C Buttermilk

8 Tbs Unsalted Butter, melted, cooled to room temperature

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, and butter until just combined.

Fill the waffle iron according to the manufacture's directions. For mine, a scant 3/4 C fills it perfectly.

Cook the waffle according to your manufacture's instructions. 4 minutes seems to be perfect for mine. The best judge is when the steam stops coming from the waffle iron.

I like my waffles a little on the well-done side, so I cooked mine a little bit longer.

Serve topped with your favorite topping. I went with lots of butter and Log Cabin syrup (which is now thankfully free from high fructose corn syrup).

Perfect!

The Help & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

My morning started almost an hour earlier than I wanted it to. So much for getting rest. I am starting to believe that I am incapable of sleeping.

My mind doesn't stop. It just keeps going and going. Like  the Energizer Bunny. It never stops.

I tossed together a quick pancake batter, cooked up some wonderful pancakes, and ate them while reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

The pancakes were delicious, the book started off rather boring. :-( Nothing all that mind blowing. Definitely a slow starter. 80 pages later, I am finally starting to get into it. Guess we'll have to see how it turns out.

This morning's breakfast: Brown Sugar, Oatmeal Pancakes

3/4 C  Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 C Quick Cooking Oats
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
Dash Salt
1/3 C Dark Brown Sugar
1 Egg
2 Tbs Unsalted Butter, melted
1 C Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. I stir it with a fork to remove the lumps from the brown sugar. Add in the egg, butter, buttermilk, and vanilla. Whisk together well.

Cook over medium heat in a lightly greased skillet.

Turn pancakes when golden brown on the bottom. Mine never formed bubbles on the surface, so watch the  edges carefully for when they set.

Serve and enjoy! (Serves 2-3)