Biking to the Windmill sculptureSo what was the reason we bought this tray?…Flowers From the Farmer’s Market
Boris arrived on Friday, so there is a lot of life going on, and so far, we have done most of the things we planned to do in these first two days. And we have another week ahead of us!
I really liked it when on Sunday I managed to make breakfast with all ingredients coming from my local CSA deliveries. That’s because Urban Canopy cooperates with other local vendors to deliver the boxes which include eggs, mushrooms, and bread in addition to their vegetables. I could also use their chai instead of coffee, and then it will be everything… OK, next time π
That’s hoe the box came – I ordered a chicken well!And that’s a box from my other CSA – Nichols Farms
This recipe is just amazing! My take-away are two things which I am going to use in the future:
soaking overnight, not just for ten munites before cooking or baking
adding almond (or vanilla or other) extract
Both make the “dough” taste heavenly,
I made a half-portion in a rectangular baking pan. Copying it here, so that I do not need to jump to the original recipe each time:
Sliced stale bread, enough to cover the bottom of the pan
1 cup blueberries (or other berries)
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cardamon
STREUSEL TOPPING
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
I used an 8X8 inch pan. Gease with nonstick spray. Line prepared baking pan with bread, filling all the cracks. Set aside.
Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, and extracts together until well combined. Pour over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
To save time in the morning, I prepared the topping the night before as well:
Combine the brown sugar and flour together in a medium bowl. Crash the cubed butter with your fingers while mixing it in.
In the morning:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove pan from the refrigerator. Sprinkle blueberries evenly over the top. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread. Top with walnuts.
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until slightly firm and golden brown on top. I baked it for 50 minutes.Β
Not like I didn’t have them at my new place, but until I had the flowers planted on my balcony, it felt like something is missing, and I didn’t feel that immense pleasure of having a breakfast outside as I normally would. But now, that part of my life is back π
This summer and early fall, I had lots of breakfasts outside; and that’s one of my favorite things to do in summer. No other meal is as good outside as breakfast. And since some of my friends love these outside breakfasts as much as I, and always ask for the pictures, I decided to put together a breakfast retro; now that the outside breakfast season is over.
Every year we hope that the weather will be nice on Memorial Day weekend and that what is considered the official start of summer will bring the summer weather.
Unfortunately, more often than not, that’s not the case. Either it is raining, or it is below 70 F or both, but most often, the weather is not good for swimming on the day when pools are official open. This time, it was the opposite. The pools are not open, but the weather exceeds expectations! I decided to take upon the advice of the health authorities and spend most of this weekend outdoors. And also, doing some good things for myself.
I like posting pictures of my meals – and I always liked it! I love it when my food looks pretty, even when I am the only person at the table (which is most of the time). Also, I do not like to spend a lot of time cooking, and I do not like recipes with many ingredients. Whatever appears at my food photographs, is always fast and easy to make.
90% of my food pictures show some breakfast food because that’s my favorite meal of the day. And my friends were keeping asking me why I never post any pictures of my dinners. Well … because by dinner time I always forget that I planned to show all my meal of the day:).
During these past two weeks, there were no changes to how I eat at home. I would still arrange everything nicely on the plate because I enjoy it. It does not take much time, and really improves your mood! These pictures are all from one day last week. Full disclosure: coffee, chocolates, and other sweets not included :).