From our kitchen...

Hello. The week has been long, hasn't it? You should probably pour yourself a drink. I'm having wine myself, but K has been having bourbon lately. Tea would make for a cozy night and maybe a better morning. 

Korey and I have both been busy in the kitchen in recent weeks. He cooks. I bake. It works out. Our menu staples have been soup and salad. You wouldn't know that from the photos I've taken. Apparently I only like to take pictures of warm breads and cakes. Ah well, these are the things I love to make and eat. Here is a peek at what's come from our kitchen this month.  

Cheddar Bread

I couldn't believe this came from my oven. It makes the whole apartment smell wonderful and is perfect for sandwiches. I'm going to add more cheddar or some herbs to the next batch.

Olive Pecan Cream Cheese Sandwiches (a decadent lunch) 

I make this sandwich once in a blue moon. It's such a treat: crunchy, creamy, salty, crispy, chewy. The workday doesn't seem so bad when I've got an olive nut sandwich in my lunch bag. There's no recipe. Just chop a handful of olives and pecans. Mix them with warmed cream cheese (Maybe an ounce per sandwich. I find that warming up the cream cheese makes it mix up much faster). Spread on your favorite bread (my current is cheddar). Add lettuce for some crispy texture. The olive nut cheese tastes even better the next day.

My Birthday Breakfast! Biscuits and Strawberry Jam

I'd never made jam before, but Apples for Jam has the simplest recipe. I found a bag of CSA strawberries in the freezer, a lemon in the fridge, and sugar in the jar. That's all I needed to whip up a delightfully sweet-tart jam. The deep red color is a great way to brighten up my winter mornings.

Just add hot water for

my go-to remedy for a sore throat

Mind you, I just had a little tickle in my throat, but that didn't stop me from making this soothing lemon-ginger-honey tea. It tastes like warm lemonade and makes me feel instantly better.

Mom's Birthday Cake, not quite set yet

And finally, the cheesecake I made for my mom. We had a snow day on her birthday, which I took as a sign that I should spend the afternoon baking a cake instead of doing homework. A good decision, right? My last minute baking didn't give the cake enough time to solidify into a glorious cheesecake slab before the birthday celebration, but it was still really delicious. The recipe is from Dorie Greenspan's Baking from My Home to Yours, which I am convinced is the only baking book anyone needs. Dorie is a genius and hasn't steered me wrong yet.

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What's been going on in your kitchen lately? 

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Some links you will love:

Dani's posted a new weekly menu. Thanks for getting me excited about menus again, Dani!

Kerry is hosting a fantastic giveaway. You can win a spot in an e-course about finding beauty in everyday life. 

Please try this easy Kettle Corn recipe! It's caramel corn but without all the work. We're having a movie marathon tonight, and I think it will go really well with my wine. Bourbon? Not so much. Sorry, K.