Tag: walnuts

Green Salad with Blueberries, Apples & Mustard Chive Vinaigrette

Green Salad with Blueberries, Apples & Mustard Chive Vinaigrette

I should call this the Monet salad.  I’m teasing, of course, but whenever I see varying tones of green and purple with touches of blue, I think of French Impressionist Claude Monet’s most famous and recognizable series of paintings — Waterlilies.

Baked Apple Dumplings with Sweet Browned Butter Sauce

Baked Apple Dumplings with Sweet Browned Butter Sauce

  I think the first time I tried to make an apple dumpling I was about 26, give or take a year. I don’t remember cooking much during that particular time in my life, but what I did cook has stayed with me — for 

Walnut Bread

Walnut Bread

I’d like to say this wonderful boule of walnut bread has just come from my oven and that hints of its aroma are still wafting through my house, but it’s been quite a while since I baked it.  I’ll blame my current efforts to change my eating habits on finally deciding to write about it because I’ve had little bread of any kind in nearly two months, and have decided writing about it, remembering its crusty, nutty appeal will be good enough for me today.

I have just begun to think about where my love for a good piece of bread fits into my plans for a healthier me.  It’s been very easy to give up bread from the grocery store — even the extra fiber, packed with multiple grains and oats type loaf I’d often choose for morning toast, or lunch sandwiches.  Ultimately, it’s all over-processed and lacking in any kind of appeal that good, fresh bread can have.

Passing up a crusty artisan loaf is more the challenge for me, especially if it’s something I’ve made.  That first piece still warm from the oven, most likely sporting an already melting swipe of butter is tough to resist.  So is the sandwich I can’t wait to sample at lunch loaded with my favorite ingredients, or tomorrow morning’s toast with jam.

I love bread, so completely avoiding it will never be a viable option for me.  Instead, I’ll have to find more recipes like this Seedy Oaty Spelt Bread to try packed with wholesome goodness.  And of course, the ideal — simply eating one slice once in a while.  In the meantime, I am remembering the fabulous flavor and texture of this walnut bread — my first attempt at a mixed-starter bread.  It took a while from start to finish, but was well worth the effort.

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Pear Gorgonzola and Walnut Rustic Tart

Pear Gorgonzola and Walnut Rustic Tart

I’m not much of a New Year’s resolution person.  I could blame it on the fact that I often don’t finish what I’ve begun, and to some extent that may be true, but know it’s more about being someone who constantly takes stock, reflects, compulsively 

Olive Oil Carrot Cake

Olive Oil Carrot Cake

  I can’t remember the first time I had carrot cake, but I’m sure it wasn’t until I was well into my adult years.  It’s strange now that I think about it because my mother used to make a mean carrot salad.  The basic ingredients