pumpkin pancakes

I am long overdue for a blog!
This one's actually been sitting in my post list for a while, but I debated posting another pumpkin recipe! But I've made these so often in the last couple of weeks (and plan on making them for breakfast in the morning), that I truly think they are worth sharing. My sister says these taste like fall :)

Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Two Ways

These muffins can be used with either the whole grain flour blend, or almond flour (if you want to make them grain free and Paleo). Depending on which one you use, the amount of oil will be altered. Other than that, both recipes are made the same way.

Pumpkin Pie Muffins - from Elana's Pantry

Last fall, my baking obsession was apples...This year, I think it's pumpkin/ winter squash.
I've been saving these until it was closer to fall...I think it is officially fall now! I've been preparing for fall since the beginning of September. This is my favorite season, so as soon as the weather stopped being in the 100's every day, I slowly began changing the house for the arrival of fall.

Banana Pancakes

Now don't tell me that doesn't make you think about the song by Jack Johnson??! (thank you, Sarah, for introducing me to that song when I was your roommate in college! :)

But I will refrain from singing it.

the way flour tortillas are meant to be.

When I was preparing for the Gluten Free Ratio Rally post earlier this month, I ran across Gluten Free Girl's recipe for homemade flour tortillas. Her tips about making the tortillas are extremely helpful. Adapting from that post, I created my own version. These are thick, soft, small tortillas, and the cast-iron skillet makes them awesome! However, let me advise one tip: Turn the stove fan on high before you start cooking the tortillas, or you will have smoke all through your house from the cast iron skillet (yes, I speak from experience)!

So easy! Blueberry Muffins

I was actually surprised when these muffins turned out as good as they did! And in only one bowl, too :)

I used the ratio for muffins and quick breads from Ruhlman's book Ratio. This ratio is 2 parts flour: 2 parts liquid: 1 part egg: 1 part sugar: 1 part fat. Then added the basic salt and baking powder, and a couple handfuls of blueberries (so much cheaper while they're in season!), and voila!!

Easy Veggie Quiche

This recipe is very flexible...It's pretty much a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. That's one thing I love about quiche! :)

Cherry Berry "Cereal"

Happy Saturday!

I've enjoyed this Paleo "cereal" so much, that one day I decided to make a different version of it: I call it Cherry Berry Cereal :)

The Apricot Chronicles, Part 2

Here's another apricot post! This is one of my favorites :) I've enjoyed my recipes such as this apple crumble so much, that I decided to make one out of apricots. Since the skin on the apricots is so soft, you may be able to make this without peeling the fruit....just cut in half and take the seeds out. I haven't tried it this way, but I think it would work just as well (whatever your preference is).

Meals that Freeze Well

This has been on my mind lately, so I thought I'd share it:
Father's Day four years ago was a time I will never forget. And it didn't really have much of anything to do with the actual holiday, except that it made it a day where I always remember. Four years today, actually. Read more in my previous blog post here. Then you can come back to this page :)

Sharing the wealth...

Sorry, I never got around to writing a Mother's Day blog post...Although I read some very inspirational ones (food blogs and not). Here are a few of my favorites that I thought I'd share:

Fig and Walnut Muffins

At the writing of this post, I just made these on the spur of the moment in my kitchen tonight. This recipe resulted as a mixture of inspiration from this basic muffin base from Elana's Pantry, this post from Daily Bites, my new-found love for figs, the current contents of my pantry, and my urgent need to bake something now.

Six months :)

Yes, I have made it gluten free for six months :)

As a celebration, of course I had to do something having to do with tea...Although it's spring, and some may be transitioning to drinking more cold tea, I think hot tea is still good in the early morning chill, or as a calming ritual before bed.

Fruit & "Granola" Nut Cereal

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook:

"Pecan chips + almond slivers + banana & strawberry slices + almond milk + cinnamon + coconut sugar = an amazing breakfast cereal!" I have to agree :)

Blueberry Quinoa Cereal

This post reflects two of the things in life that I enjoy a lot right now:
1) Breakfast
2) Quinoa
I could easily have breakfast foods for dinner (and often do!). Quinoa is a relatively new discovery for me, and I love that it's so versatile (here is a recipe I tried for a Greek cuisine-inspired salad).
Here is a sweet breakfast/snack option, which is similar to oatmeal. It's super quick and easy. And the blueberries make it all purple, which is fun!

Mystery Ingredient Recipes, Part 2

I love this coffee cake! I honestly never thought that I'd ever eat a coffee cake like this post-Gluten Free. And this was a definite success, even with my non-GF friends!! That makes me smile :) And the mystery ingredient? White beans.

"Might I have a bit of earth?"

"Might I," quavered Mary, "might I have a bit of earth?"
..."Earth!" he repeated. "What do you mean?"
"To plant seeds in--to make things grow--to see them come alive," Mary faltered...Mr. Craven got up and began to walk slowly across the room.

Spring Has Sprung!

I don't know about you, but in my area, spring is officially peaking it's head around the corner, and I am ready for it! My spring wreath has gone up on my front door (I've unofficially nominated March 1st as the "start" of spring for me). I am so enjoying the feel of the warm sun, and hear the birds singing...it makes me happy :)

A new option for breakfast

As part of my experimenting with different GF grains, I read about amaranth from Shawna Ahern's Gluten Free Girl. (For more about amaranth, click here) When I read about making this grain into a popped cereal, once again I was curious--I had to try it.

Chai Breakfast Cookies - revised

Yes, I know that I just posted this recipe...but I had to post another.