Fig Sweet Rolls

Fig Sweet Rolls

A Favorite Holiday Recipe

“The Salinas was only a part-time river. The summer sun drove it underground. It was not a fine river at all, but was it was the only one we had and so we boasted about it-how dangerous it was in a wet winter and how dry it was in a dry summer. You can boast about anything if it’s all you have. Maybe the less you have, the more you are required to boast.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We don’t do holidays without the appearance of these Sweet Rolls. It’s a tradition my mom started. She would make a double batch, filling up an entire cookie sheet. The cookie sheet had low sides and the Sweet Rolls around the edges would puff up and over the outside of the pan. I remember my mom icing the rolls, the glaze would run over the edge of the pan onto the counter. While we waited for breakfast, eight little hands would greedily scoop up the overflowing icing. Straight up sugar before breakfast is unforgettable, especially on Christmas morning. The double batch of Sweet Rolls never lasted the day. Homemade fudge, cookies and stollen had to wait their turn. Fruitcake didn’t stand a chance. READ MORE . . .

Cherry Almond Scones

Cherry Almond Scone

A Favorite Recipe

“For the world was changing, and sweetness was gone, and virtue too. Worry had crept on a corroding world, and what was lost—good manners, ease and beauty? Ladies were not ladies any more, and you couldn’t trust a gentleman’s word.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Oh wow! What an election year! Every day brings more information and mis-information. It’s a dizzy time in America. The one-two punches hit in the gut. Emotional responses explode throughout the media. Discussing the election is for the brave. I am already weary of the politics. Let’s bake our way to November to keep our sanity. READ MORE . . .

Cheesy Dinner Rolls

Cheesy Dinner Rolls

#MakeItWithMilk #FWCON

“Are you hungry? Sure, I guess I am.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

These are mighty fine dinner rolls. Nothing is more enticing than the aroma of freshly baked bread. With cheddar cheese that seems to melt into the dough as it bakes these irresistible Cheesy Dinner Rolls disappear as soon as they come out of the oven. The subtle flavor of green onions compliments the cheddar cheese, adding interest to the soft fluffy dough that is enriched with milk, butter and egg. READ MORE . . .

Marvelous Lemon Ginger Sweet Rolls

Lemon Ginger Sweet Rolls

Bake and Be Happy

“There wasn’t any limit, no boundary at all, to the future.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

A belated Happy New Year! I took a break to enjoy the holidays and I hope you did too. I like to start the New Year with a baking recipe that has been lingering on my must-try list. This not a diet or Whole 30 recipe, just one mighty fine sweet roll recipe. The recipe is adapted from a 3-hole punched page from the November 1973 Family Circle magazine. It arrived in my life with a stack of old, forgotten recipes. The title, “Prize Recipes from Women’s Clubs” told me this is very likely an excellent recipe. In my kitchen, Orange Rolls from the Sunflower Sampler (Oh, what a name!) of Wichita, Kansas became Lemon Ginger Sweet Rolls. Light, super fluffy with the sweet, tart allure of lemon and warmth from candied ginger these marvelous sweet rolls are winter comfort in every bite. Eating one Lemon Ginger Sweet Roll can only be achieved with super human will power. Just serve two and be happy. READ MORE . . .

Whole Wheat Muffins

Whole Wheat Muffins

Eating well during the holidays

“Faye drew a deep breath and plunged into the subject.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Here I am, my little place on the web. I’m feeling bold. Sharing a mostly healthy recipe in December, who does that? Not a radical as advocating a ban on holiday shopping, but still. Soon enough I’ll be diving into the cookie season. There are spiced nuts, fancy cheese and candy. Eggnog and hot chocolate too. It’s a good time to eat well. To take care, especially of ourselves. To treat ourselves with kindness, after all, that is all we have. Nourishing our bodies during this time of too much, is a special holiday gift. READ MORE . . .