inspired...so I went shopping

A Homemade Life :: Molly Wizenberg

I finished this book yesterday morning. I absolutely savored it all week. Each part of the book is capped off by a recipe - developed by the author, her family or friends - or otherwise tweaked from a magazine or other source. Each recipe has an imaginary string which ties it to a memory or a time in the author's life. I am enamored. I judge a book as a winner when, when I am finish the last word I close my eyes, sigh and think "who could I buy this for?" This is that book for me.

As a result, all week I plotted shopping for my own Mother's Day breakfast. You see, breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day, and contrary to my husband's opinion that it is only for morning - I believe in the power of breakfast at any time of day. It is true that I squirm with a joy a little when I go to a restaurant that will serve me crepes at noon. So I decided, page 89 :: Burg's French Toast it shall be.

I took the day to myself - my debit card, my book and a list. I went to my favorite shops - Trader Joe's, Williams-Sonoma, Brennan's and Whole Foods. I find the food stuff at these smaller, fancier digs to be decadent and a treat, I get full just looking. I can't afford to buy the whole week's she-bang at Trader Joe's but oh, I am smitten with the dried figs.

I bought a number of things I hadn't before - but they each made sense and tickled my taste buds at the mere thought. I purchased some Sherry Vinegar (I coulnd't find the author's suggested Banyuls - but I will), Scharffen Berger bittersweet chocolate, raw, shelled pistachios, crystallized ginger, baby arugula and those dried figs. I felt so good rolling in with my recycled brown-bags filled to the brim. I felt ready to cook, ready to eat.

Voila my breakfast::


the aforesaid french toast...with whole milk and fried in oil - egads, decadent right. But oh, so good.

Two thumbs up Molly Wizenberg (I love her blog, too!) I loved this book and hope to make a special something for weeks to come. I truly appreciate good food and tastes - so for lunch Bread Salad with Cherries, Arugula and Goat Cheese (page 115), for a birthday treat later in the month The Winning Hearts and Minds Cake (page 312), for my family this week Pistachio Cake with Honeyed Apricots (page 278) and with dinner, Arugula Salad with Pistachios and Chocolate. I will be sure to report on each one - now aren't you hungy?

many of her recipes can be found here. but really, trust me, you need the book.

ps - Happy Mother's Day, mothers. My most special gift today was my 9-year old riding her bike. I cried a little. We live in a spot with no sidewalks and we have a lumbering hill of a driveway - so it's been hard to find the space without pressuring her to learn, she is so afraid to fall. Anyways, while I was out buying my food goodies yesterday, her dad helped her learn. What a treat to see her hair streaming behind her - and no daddy hanging on. Hurray for Libby!