Sometimes just a little sweet will make the day so much better. I try not to have temptation setting around because – well, it’s just too tempting! If a whole cake is in the kitchen, it is “evened out” for breakfast, just a little piece for lunch and a small piece for afternoon tea, then a dinner sized piece in the evening. But we are well disciplined and never have a piece after dinner. :-) That’s a lot of carb, calories and sweet stuff in a day. One sweet serving is just perfect. Especially if it is divided between two people. I’ve been experimenting with mug recipes for that sweet craving. This is one of our favorites. The yogurt replaces egg. I used low carb yogurt because that’s what I usually have on hand, but Greek yogurt or any other plain or vanilla yogurt would work. If you ... [Read More]
quick bread
Chai Bread
I served chai bread for a ladies luncheon last summer. Subtly spiced, it was a lovely addition to the tea breads. It is also perfect for holiday dinners and buffets. And, as my friend Apple Valley Sue pointed out, it makes a very nice gift! Sue was my Secret Sister one year and gifted me with some chai tea bags – my introduction to the beautiful flavors of chai. I promised to get the recipe to Sue before the holidays so chai bread can be gifted to a hostess, a teacher, a neighbor or anyone else! So here it is!!! Cardamom adds to the distinctive chai flavor. It is a rather expensive spice so do watch through the year for a spice sale or check the ethnic aisle (or ethnic stores, if you are lucky enough to have them nearby.) I use a chai tea bag to make the tea, but you can also use ... [Read More]
Spicy Pumpkin Bread
A light bread with lively flavor, Spicy Pumpkin Bread is great anytime. Serve plain or with whipped butter to let the spices shine. Or dress it up with a glaze for a more festive appearance and let the sweetness of the glaze complement the spices. To glaze a single loaf, start with a quarter cup of powdered sugar and add water a teaspoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you reach the desired consistency. I use 2 teaspoons of water per quarter cup, but you might like yours a little thicker. Add a few chopped nuts on top of the glaze, if you wanna be fancy. Adding nuts or raisins is optional. My favorite add in is English walnuts. That causes Bytes to mutter darkly. We can compromise on pecans without muttering so that’s the occasional choice. Other add ins might ... [Read More]
Carrot Pineapple Bread
Carrot Pineapple Bread is a delicate and delightfully pretty bread. It makes a nice addition to a tea table or an afternoon dessert buffet. Use a sharp knife to cut so the slices don’t tear. We inhale this plain, but it would be nice served with whipped cream cheese or a light lemon flavor whipped butter. This is quick and easy to assemble. I use a 10 ounce bag of shredded carrots from the grocery because I like the convenience. Save back a few nice looking pecan halves to put on top of each loaf before baking. My mother provided afternoon day care for morning kindergarteners. They loved her and she delighted in their ways and sayings. One afternoon she decided it was time to harvest the carrots. She and her entourage of three or four kids went to the garden. She showed them how the ... [Read More]
Sugar and Spice Muffins – Best Breakfast Muffins Ever
French Breakfast Puffs, Sugar and Spice Muffins, Donut Muffins, Baked Sugar Donut, The. Best. Breakfast. Muffin. Ever! Many names, but only one description: “Oh wow – this is good!” This is truly a time honored favorite, no matter what name it has. Everyone love, love, loves this tender muffin with a crunchy spicy coating. Time honored because I first made it in college. I was a member of a women’s housing co-op where we shared the household duties in exchange for reduced housing costs. Work was set up on a two week rotating basis and included a stint as assistant cook and then chief cook. The chief cook planned the meals and could include anything she wanted as long as it was within the budget and reasonably nutritious. Except! French Breakfast Puffs. It was house ... [Read More]
Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Bread
Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini bread came about because zucchini is a prolific producer. If you’ve ever grown it or lived within five miles of a zucchini plant you can probably testify to that fact! That’s a good thing if you like healthy fare, but it is a challenge to find new and different ways to use zucchini every day in order to keep up with the supply. Wheel’s sister, found this tasty recipe to add lemony goodness to zucchini. Harvest continues up to frost so chances are you or your favorite gardener may still have fresh zucchini available. You can add this to your holiday meal – or have a refreshingly different bread for a weekend brunch. Serve after baking or wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months. Either way -- delicious!!! While visiting family recently, we got to ... [Read More]