Smashed Muffin

A simple and sweet breakfast of summer that I’ve been having on repeat. Garden fresh tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of something crunchy (in this case, crispy jalapeño pieces). A freshly picked yard bouquet is optional but worth it.

[Image Description: 1/A bouquet of summer flowers in the foreground with a plate of diced tomatoes in the background. 2/Close up of a plate of diced heirloom tomatoes dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper and crunchy jalapeño pieces making a simple and delicious brightly colored breakfast salad.]

Over here yearning for fall to hurry up and get here already and finding myself influenced by the things I consume (books, tv, life). I watched the finale of Apple TV ‘s Trying last night and seeing Scott leave that stack of delightfully fluffy looking pancakes untouched meant I needed the One Giant Pancake/Weekend Scramble from Sohla El-Waylly ‘s Start Here immediately this Sunday morning. Even snuck in a little Janie’s Mill | Stone-ground Organic Flour light rye flour. It was everything.

[Image Description: View from above of a skillet pancake cut into triangular pie slice pieces.]

I highly recommend staying “in for cakies.” That’s precisely what I did this past rainy Saturday - sharing Rosie Kellett’s chocolate sheet cake (from the cookbook “In for Dinner”) with a smattering of family and friends. It did not disappoint. And the leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving.



[Image Description: View from above of a quarter sheet cake pan of chocolate cake with ganache topping cut into finger slices in the process of being served.]

Jumping on that “date snickers” bark train.

[Image Description: Aerial view of a parchment covered sheet tray holding “date snickers bark” (i.e. flattened dates layered with peanut butter, peanuts and drizzled with melted chocolate and sprinkled with flakey salt).]

A sun-dappled page (instructing bakers to be choosey about the ingredients they use) from “The Latest Cake Secrets” Published by General Foods Corporation (makers of Swans Down Cake Flour) New York, NY copyright 1934. Found this gem in an antique shop in Three Oaks, MI earlier this week.

You’re all I need to get by. 💫

[Image Description: View from above of some poached rhubarb pop tarts accompanied by fresh blackberries basking in the afternoon sun.]

‘Tis the season… for semolina almond cake with poached rhubarb and crème fraîche. (Chef’s kiss! 😘)

[Image Description: Aerial view of a table displaying (clockwise from top right) semolina almond cake on a platter, a sliver of said cake on a dessert plate served with poached rhubarb and crème fraîche, along with a cup of weekend coffee.]

Matias is 4️⃣ ! 🎉🎉🎉

Hope you had a BLAST 🚀 celebrating last weekend with this jumbo size (12-inch) chocolate chip cookie flavored galaxy cake. 🍪✨💫✨🍪

[Image Description: High angle view of a 12-inch round cake covered in dark blue, purple and light blue frosting with stars piped in white frosting across the surface to resemble a galaxy.]

These popsicle shaped Rice Krispies were the perfect treat to celebrate Charlie’s 6th Birthday last weekend. 🎉🎈6️⃣🎈🎉



[Image Description: 1/High angle view of the shaped Rice Krispies on popsicle sticks before decorating. 2/ High angle view of the Krispies adorned with their milk chocolate topping and a generous dash of sprinkles. 3/The birthday boy Charlie enjoying a Popsicle Krispie.]

That feeling when you make a rather stunning chocolate cake (with chocolate filling made with squash purée, almond butter, maple syrup and cocoa powder; covered in a decadent chocolate ganache exterior) for company and proceed to forget to take a picture of it in all its glory. This slice next to some daffodils from the yard will have to suffice.



[Image Description: View from above of (clockwise from bottom left corner) a plate with a slice of two-layer chocolate cake with chocolate filling and a ganache coating; a milk glass vase filled with spring daffodils and tulips; a generous cup of coffee in an enamel mug.]