Savory Blackberry Spoon Bread

Savory Blackberry Spoon Bread

I’m not sure, but I may have a teeny-tiny obsession with blackberries, raspberries, & blueberries.  When I see them on sale at a good price, I scoop them up & toss them in the freezer for future baking expeditions.  Growing up in Arizona, we didn’t have the luxury of wild berry patches like many of you, & I really don’t remember Mom baking with them either.  I’m not sure why she didn’t, maybe it was being frugal, or perhaps it was living out in the country, the closest (not very close) grocery stores weren’t stocked with all of the freshest & finest items like we have access to today.   I’m sounding old.  Damn.

Savory Blackberry Spoon Bread

Of Basil & Wheat Bread Twists & Cat Condos

Basil and Wheat Bread Twists

Gene often jokes with our son that he married me for my bread baking!  He absolutely adores homemade bread, and he’s sure to be whistling a happy tune when he sees me putting some sort of yeast bread together for dinner.  This whole bread baking thing has sort of a symbiotic feel with us, as I love making it just as much.  Truth be told, it puts me in a good mood.  Baking bread is rewarding, satisfying, & gives me a sense of accomplishment.  I just love the whole nurturing process, it brings out the creative “Mom” in me!

Mom’s Sourdough English Muffins

Sourdough English Muffins

Recipe from the collection of:  Designs by Jeanne R

Homemade sourdough English muffins is another childhood memory for me.  Mom made these pretty often, & while they were always really good, we probably took for granted that not all mom’s made homemade breads like this for their families.  I have the sourdough cookbook she made for all of us kids, & it makes me smile when I see her handwritten notes in which the measurements were doubled, tripled & quadrupled in the margins!  I guess with a family of 5 kids (plus friends), 1 batch wouldn’t suffice!  Making these myself throughout the years, I marvel at how easy Mom made this look.  I’ll be honest, there’s a fine line between a beautifully cooked English muffin, & one which has been scorched on the stove!  You’ve been warned, you’ve got to babysit these little darlings, but it’s well worth the effort.

Pita Bread

Pita Bread

This recipe comes from one of my very favorite books, “The Book of Bread” by, Judith & Evan Jones.

Pumpkin Sourdough Pancakes & A “Perfect” Bacon Tip

Pumpkin Sourdough Pancakes

Ok, I know Fall is behind us & you’re wondering why I’m posting a pumpkin recipe, am I right?  Well, for the last several months, I’ve been whipping up these little puppies for the family, & they’ve become  my new addiction.  

Favorite Rye Bread

Favorite Rye Bread

Are you a fan of rye bread?  My husband Gene just loves it, especially toasted with a little butter.  Even if rye is not at the top of your list, I think you’ll like this one –  the flavor isn’t overbearing.  This rye bread has a nice texture, not too dry like some, but it still maintains that delicious rye crust we’re all accustomed to.

Green Chile & Beef Pies

Green Chile Beef Pies

Empanadas, pasties, pies…these are known by many names, but are they different?  In my quest to make these little gems for dinner, I found a delicious recipe for empanada dough from Mark Bittman’s book How to Cook Everything.  This dough was superb…flaky, tender, light & delicious.  It got me thinking, however,

Homemade Pretzel Dogs

Homemade Pretzel Dogs

I’ve certainly made my fair share of homemade pretzels over the years, but never pretzel dogs.  I decided to try a recipe my husband found in the newspaper for pretzel rolls.   Then I did a bit of research to figure out the logistics of making the pretzel dog.  Some of the methods

Tender Wheat Bread

Tender Wheat Bread

Mom made homemade bread a lot...all different varieties of yeast breads & rolls, stollens, biscuits, sourdough, English muffins, bagels, etc. In fact, she used to buy flour & shortening in huge drum bins, & whole wheat in bulk bags. We had an electric wheat grinder that she used to grind the wheat kernels fresh for each batch. Spoiled? Yes, please! Being around the smell of fresh baked bread, kneading & baking right along side of her, gave me a passion for bread baking as well.

Fry Bread

Fry Bread

Fry bread is something that most of us in Arizona or the Southwestern U.S. eat from time to time.   It’s referred to as Indian Fry Bread, or Navajo Fry Bread.