Breakfast: The Egg Sandwich

Have you seen the movie Spanglish? There is one scene where Adam Sandler is making the most beautiful sandwich you have ever seen. Well, it turns out that Sandler apprenticed under Thomas Keller in preparation for his role as a chef in this movie. Watch the video I just linked. You will die.

At home, I've turned the sandwich inside out, simplified it, and made it one of my ladies' favorite breakfasts. And you know how I feel about hot breakfasts.

The simplified versions of Thomas Keller's bachelor sandwich.

1. Fry an egg.
2. Toast a good piece of bread.
3. Spread butter and a little bit of cheese on the bread, then slice in half.
4. Place hot fried egg on top of toasted bread (preferably on top of the cheese half so the cheese will start to melt).
5. Place other half of bread on top. Wha-la--a fried egg sandwich for breakfast.

The ladies love biting into the sandwich while simultaneously trying to figure out who to manage the flowing yolk. And finally they like a dab of rasberry jam for dipping.

Dinner: Chana Masala

I am addicted to Chana Masala. Our local mall's food court has a hidden treasure--some of the Boston area's best Indian food. Everytime I am at the mall, I treat myself to some Chana Masala (which are chick peas that have been simmering in a spicy tomato sauce for 24 hours). Because it's a new year and my trips to the mall will be far less than they were last year, I figured out how to make my own version of Chana Masala. I threw a few key ingredients today and was so pleased with my lunch that I served it again for dinner. Try it and let me know what you think.

Becca's Made Up version of Chana Masala
2 Tbs. good olive oil
1 12 oz. can chick peas (garbanzo beans)
1 12 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 Tbs. of Garam Masala*
2 Tbs. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced

Place olive oil in medium sized saucepan on medium heat. Drain chick peas and add to olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes, Garam Masala, brown sugar, and garlic. Simmer for a few hours or for as long as you can (30 minutes would even do the trick). Serve over basmati or brown rice.

*Garam Masala is a particular blend of Indian spices. You can find it at any Indian food store or order it through Penzey's spices.

Lunch: Ham Sandwich

I just finished reading the authorized biography of Alice Waters ("Alice Waters and Chez Panisse" by Thomas McNamee). It was a great read and the ideas behind Waters' food revolution are nutty and inspiring. In between the stories that comprise Waters' life are narrative recipes. One in particular has beckoned me back into the kitchen. Waters explains that whenever she makes a ham sandwich she goes into her garden and picks "whatever herbs" she has. She then chops "them up fine and mix them...with a little garlic...a little vinegar and oil, into a sort of savory herb paste." She then toasts day old french bread and spreads on the "herb paste." She serves the sandwich open topped with a bit of sweet onion marmalade.

Need I write more? Tonight at my friend's New Year's Eve party, I am going to make bit size ham and herb sandwiches. Here is what I am going to do:
1. Fire up my portable grill pan.
2. Place buttered, thinly sliced good bread on the grill.
3. While the bread is on the grill, I'll shmear it with the savory herb paste, then add a thin slice of fancy pants ham, carmelized onions, and a bit of gruyere cheese.
4. I'll put the sandwiches together and cut them into small squares.
5. I'll serve them and everyone will tell me how amazing I am. But I'll give all the credit to Alice. Promise.

Side: Sage Stuffing

Thanksgiving was long ago and Christmas looms ahead. Somehow Christmas magically appeared this year. It did not come in its usual saunter. It is here and I did not see it coming. But, no matter. I found a stuffing recipe that will be my forever stuffing recipe. It is not fancy and does not involve various dried fruits and nuts. It is simple, straightforward, and too yummy. If you do another turkey for Christmas, here you go.

Drink: Caramel Apple Cider

It's a shame how long I've gone without posting anything. Life has taken over. Last summer, as we drifted about enjoying our free time, I looked at my growing girls and suspected that Fall would be crazy nutty. And although I usually don't write much about my family online, I must say that this Fall has been spectacular. E and G are turning into amazing people. They enjoy their music and it's starting to pay off. A is thinking about starting to read. P has discovered the joy of multi tools. I accomplished the one thing I knew I had to do after I finished bearing children--I ran a marathon. It was exhilarating, difficult, dissapointing, and emboldening all at the same time. I'll do another some day. Having written all of that, here is a recipe you must have for the Fall. Fix this for the Trick or Treaters and you will be the talk of the town.

Dessert: A Keeper Cupcake

Long story short--I was looking for a keeper cupcake recipe and I found it here. Print this one out, it's a keeper. Just one note on the frosting--when I made it, it was not chocolatey enough for me. So, I dabbed the middle of each cupcake with pure melted milk chocolate. Sorry there are no pictures. I was too lazy and by the time I wanted to snap away, the cupcakes were all gone. Too yummy for words, or pictures I guess.

Bread: Honey Oatmeal Bread

Oh boy. I've been absent for too long. And instead of boring you with explanations that really don't matter--I'll post my dear friend K's bread recipe. To be fair--I have not made this bread yet. I'm waiting for the Boston Fall Air to roll in, then I'll warm up the house with baked bread. But not just yet. But I know I can post this because I totally trust KK. Here is her much anticipated bread recipe. I'll change this post as soon as I make the bread myself, but I didn't want to deprive all of you in the meantime. If you do make it, promise us you'll let you know how it goes. And KK--thanks a bunch. You never let me down.

2 loaves (1.5 lb)	4 loaves (1.5 lb)
2 cups	4 cups	Water
6 T	12 T	Honey
2 1/2 t	5 t	Salt
4 t	8 t	Yeast
3 T	6 T	Butter
2 cups	4 cups	Oatmeal
4 cups	8 cups	Bread flour

Put first four ingredients in a bowl and let yeast work.

Add softened butter. Then add oatmeal and bread flour. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Let rise until double. Form into loaves and let rise for about 45 minutes to one hour. Bake in 350° oven for 30 minutes.