Breakfast: April 2007 Archives
We're 10 minutes away from the arrival of some friends, and August says, "Want pumpkin muffins." These were so easy to make a few days ago, and August and I had such a nice time making them, that I almost said, "OK, let's go make more." But then I pictured our friends arriving to find us covered in flour, egg all over the counter, the boy's mouth rimmed with the sugar he sneaked, and I said no. But during his nap I found 10 minutes to mix this up, so now we'll have an out-of-season snack this afternoon.
I think I decided to make pumpkin muffins in the middle of spring because I had a tub of cream cheese in the fridge and these muffins are an awesome cream-cheese-carrier. For 12 muffins, you mix 2/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons each water and oil, and 1/2 cup pumpkin. In another bowl, 1 cup flour (I do 2/3 white and 1/3 wheat), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon each baking soda, cinnamon and salt, 1/8 teaspoon each ground cloves and nutmeg. Once I have them in the paper baking cups I top them with some walnuts (chopped or halves). Bake in 400 degree oven about 13 minutes.
We're 10 minutes away from the arrival of some friends, and August says, "Want pumpkin muffins." These were so easy to make a few days ago, and August and I had such a nice time making them, that I almost said, "OK, let's go make more." But then I pictured our friends arriving to find us covered in flour, egg all over the counter, the boy's mouth rimmed with the sugar he sneaked, and I said no. But during his nap I found 10 minutes to mix this up, so now we'll have an out-of-season snack this afternoon.
I think I decided to make pumpkin muffins in the middle of spring because I had a tub of cream cheese in the fridge and these muffins are an awesome cream-cheese-carrier. For 12 muffins, you mix 2/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons each water and oil, and 1/2 cup pumpkin. In another bowl, 1 cup flour (I do 2/3 white and 1/3 wheat), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon each baking soda, cinnamon and salt, 1/8 teaspoon each ground cloves and nutmeg. Once I have them in the paper baking cups I top them with some walnuts (chopped or halves). Bake in 400 degree oven about 13 minutes.
I really didn't think this would coalesce into anything: a good balsamic from O & Co, yogurt cheese made from a grocery-brand yogurt, cracked black pepper and OK, big, red strawberries. I cut up the strawberries, tossed them with some sugar and let them sit, then I topped it with a dollop of yogurt that I had strained overnight so that it thickened, drizzled the vinegar over that and added some black pepper.
Now I'm not entirely sure the pepper added anything, but this was much better than the sum of its parts. The juice from those so-so berries, the sugar and that sweet, thick balsamic would be good on anything. Imagine if I had some good fruit. And the yogurt cheese, which was my contribution to a Bittman recipe, added its creamy, mellow tanginess and enough substance to make it a substantial snack or a light, light meal. Except for the sugar, this was pretty healthy, too.
It feeds my soul. It's my favorite part of the day. August and I are morning people (and Todd indulges us), so we sit around the table, eating, chatting. August stands on his chair and tells us stories, and so he paces all of us. It's the only time consistently we are all together as a family, and it's the fantasy I have when I think about what my perfect life would be.
Usually breakfast is cereal or oatmeal, or sometimes toasted bread or English muffins. This morning, because Todd's been complaining about the usual routine, I made scrambled eggs. I'm in the fluffy curds camp, not the flat, one-piece omelet-type camp, so I add a little water to the mixed-up eggs, maybe with some grated cheese or fresh herbs and definitely salt and pepper. Then I stir them in the skillet until they're almost cooked, and I turn off the heat toward the end so the carry-over heat can finish them off.
I guess the fact that breakfast such a brief moment in our daily lives is what makes the time we spend together at holidays, vacations, even weekends feel special. All of August's grandparents live a plane-ride away, and every once in a while I can be philosophical about it. August appreciates the time he has with them so much because they're not around all the time. I can't say whether it's more than if they were here every day, since that arrangement is just a dream for me, but I do think that every day grandma and grandpa are around is a holiday.
