Irish Soda Bread

♚ Ω ♧ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♧ Ω ♚

As my Facebook new feed floods with random facts about today and pictures of green beer and less than appetizing green food, I am focused on a traditional Irish recipe. A simple, Irish Soda Bread, done in the more traditional style than the Americanized version that floods grocery stores and bakeries at this time of year.

The traditional version of this delicious bread has a moist, dense crumb and a thick, crunchy crust. I added in some raisins to make it comparable to an Americanized version of this bread that is sold at The Andersons, a wonderful all-purpose store located close to my parents' in Ohio. (They also have a cran-orange version that is delicious.)

Caramel Filled Brownies

♥ ❤ ❥ ❣ ❦ ❧ Happy Valentine's Day! ❧ ❦ ❣ ❥ ❤ ♥  

So this is technically not a breakfast food but it was totally my breakfast this morning.

Lemon-Berry Baked French Toast

It did something amazing here in NC yesterday. It SNOWED!

While I dislike the cold, there is something magical about watching the world around you turn white.  I watched from the windows at work as these beautiful little white flakes started floating down from the sky around 9am. I sat in a semi-dazed state, staring out the windows, wishing I could go out and play in it. I also watched snowplow after snowplow made its way down the road in front of my work.

I was thrilled at 2pm when work announced we were closing 2 hours early. By the time I left work there was about 3/4 of an inch of snow covering everything.

Salted Honey Pie

This is one of those pies that I had very little initial interest in making. I saw it in the beginning on November on Flavor NC. It sounded good but way too sweet for me.

Then an acquaintance that I know started texting me about this pie. I heard about this pie for close to two weeks. I received numerous pictures of disastrous pies that he made in attempt to copy what was on Flavor NC. Finally late one night I get a text asking me to try it. Just to see if I could make it. The next morning I make the pie.

I follow the directions, viola! I make a pie.

Cacio e Pepe (Spaghetti with Pecorino and Pepper)

Any Italian meal that takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish is wonderful in my book. Plus there is nothing better than a delicious and super easy dinner in the middle of the week. This recipe popped up on an email from America's Test Kitchen and since I had all the ingredients on hand, I thought it would make a delicious dinner.

Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Two of my favorite foods combined into one delicious breakfast? Yes please!

Combining delicious cinnamon rolls with caramel and a few pecans is a wonderful start to the month of December and what I expect to be a rather lazy Sunday.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

It is November. That means that local stores are finally starting to stock fresh cranberries!

I hate buying the cranberries from the freezer section at my local grocery stores. First off, they are hard to find except in the high end stores. Secondly, they are often freezer burned and full of ice. At least around here they are. Cranberries aren't a popular seller in my area.

So when these wonderful little fruits first appear on store shelves, I grab up 5 or 6 bags to freeze myself. While practically inedible alone, cooked up with a bit of sugar and some other ingredients, these little berries become heavenly, adding just the right amount of tartness to so many wonderful dishes.