Baked Pasta, AKA Baked Ziti

I was going to make Eggplant Parmesan this week, but when I discovered how much three medium sized eggplants were going to cost, I decided maybe that could wait.

I already had the mozzarella cheese, and with ricotta being (slightly) less expensive than the eggplant, I decided to make a Baked Ziti.

Jamaican Jerk Pork Buns

I am sincerely and deeply grateful that I am able to have enough food to have leftovers when so many do not have enough to eat. But I have to admit I hate trying to figure out what to do with them.

Lemon Herbal Tea Pain Ordinare

 
This is not your ordinary Pain Ordinare.

But it "sang" just as loud when I took it out of the oven.

Honey Bread

I cannot get my head around the fact that bees are the only way we can get honey. Bees.

If you do a Google search on "How to make honey", the pages that come up are about how to process honey. Pages say "Of course, bees make honey." and "To enjoy your own honey, simply let the bees do most of the work." So be nice to the bees, or no more Honey Bread.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

I've been invited over for tea with my recently moved in next door neighbours this afternoon. As it's Spring, what better to bring then freshly made Lemon Poppy Seed Bread?

"Japanese" Style Chicken

I have no idea why these would be considered "Japanese" style as opposed to any other Asian style of cooking. What makes something particularly Japanese or Chinese or Italian?

Tassajara Potato Bread

"Am I worth sliced fruit today?" The Tassajara Complete Cookbook

Well, really, the question was "Is my family worth mashing some real potatoes?"

Irish Soda Breads

"When you wash the rice, wash the rice; when you cut the carrots, cut the carrots; when you stir the soup, stir the soup." The Complete Tassjara Cookbook

I need to keep my mind on what I'm doing, when I'm doing it.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I thought I had raisins..

It's March Break here, and I'm going a bit squirrelly with all the kids being home. I've been meaning to try making Cinnamon Raisin bread, but when I got to the pantry I discovered that they've all been eaten with my husband's granola. Bleh.

So Cinnamon Raisin Bread became Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

Oven Roasted Squashes

There is a plural for squash- who knew?

Martha Stewart's Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

I want to be Martha Stewart.

Not to have her wealth or power - although a little bit of money would be nice, don't get me wrong - but I want to cook and decorate and do all the homey things that she espouses. It's taken me a while to realize that I'm just too lazy to ever be Martha Stewart-like, but I like her recipes. And I've also realized that it takes a team of people to be "Martha Stewart".

Ginger Muffins

I'm a big fan of the Tassajara cookbooks by Edward Espe Brown. I recently purchased "The Complete Tassajara Cookbook" because, although I am neither a Buddhist or vegetarian I know that A) I could eat less meat and B) of all the world religions I'd lean towards Buddhism.

Tassajara Basic Bread

 

It's cold in my kitchen. I can never seem to get a nice rise out of my breads in the prescribed recipe time at room temperature- the phrase, "Let rise 1 hour, or doubled in size." strikes anxiety in my heart. As a newish by hand breadmaker, I haven't yet learned to judge the point where my dough is perfectly risen, so I often set the timer and hope for the best. A nicely heated oven (to 200F) is a great help when I can then stick the ceramic bowl over that vent and let the warm air boost the rise.