Leek Latkes

Passover (or as my friend Natalie says in Hebrew, 'Pesach') was this week, which means I heard the collective groan of my Jewish friends around the world as they refrained from eating leavened bread for 8 days. Many non-Jews in America don't really know much about Passover, (including myself!) other than it starts with a Seder in which matzo balls are involved. The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke tout that the Seder that marked the start of Passover was also the Last Supper, which is pretty darn cool if it's true.

Strawberry Scones

I have a feeling that many parts of America is huddled under down comforters by the fireside, cursing the winter snow and wishing it were spring time already. Me, on the other hand, is cursing that it’s gotten so warm so quickly here in Okinawa.

Apple Cinnamon Waffles

I have been on a breakfast kick lately. There could be worse things to enjoy often, right? Truthfully I first made these waffles for one of Travis' last breakfasts before he left on deployment, and then again for the Super Bowl, since it was on at 7:30 am here in Japan. Third time being the charm that it is, I made these waffles again this past week, for a brinner for one. It was heavenly.

Rosa Parks' Featherlite Pancakes

How do you feel about breakfast in bed? Are you a person who hates a couple of crumbs in the sheets or would it be your ideal way to wake up? I can’t decide whether I think it’d be the best way to wake up for Valentine’s Day or a stress-fest since I prefer to be in control in the kitchen and would be involuntarily critiquing anything my incredible husband brought in for me. It also doesn’t help that I’m an extremely light sleeper and wouldn’t be able to keep myself in bed while he was in the kitchen cooking.

Breakfast Fried Rice

Ohhhhhh, I love breakfast. Am I the only one? Don't you love breakfast as much as I do? Well, if you don't, you totally should! It's such a versatile dish-- how many renditions can you think of for pancakes? Or french toast? The possibilities are endless, and all of them delicious. If you think of breakfast as a blank canvas and let your imagination run wild.... now that would be a fun day-dream filled afternoon!

"The Elvis" Sandwich

Here's the deal. I take my love of bacon seriously. If you don't like bananas or whole wheat bread, I can forgive you. If you don't like peanut butter, I will still like you, but I will look at you like you're crazy. Unless you have an allergy, then you're exempt and therefore have my eternal pity.

Ricotta Pancakes

Today seemed the perfect day to make pancakes from scratch. I had been wanting to make another recipe we had enjoyed in Australia, so it was two birds with one stone! One of the cafes Travis and I visited for breakfast in Sydney was No. 9 Cafe, an adorably cute little place around the corner from our hotel. Our goal while we were on vacation in Australia at the beginning of August was to eat at a different dish each time we ordered something, and to not eat at the same place twice or order the same things twice.

Apple Pie French Toast

Today is Travis' birthday (as I post this, it's Aug 4 in Japan), so for a special birthday breakfast, I decided to make his all time favorite: stuffed french toast. My beloved husband would probably eat stuffed french toast every day of the week if I decided to make it for him. Each time he sees it on a menu in a restaurant, it's automatically the order of the day. Strawberry filling seems to be the usual favorite, however I think I prefer this homemade version with apples. To me, the strawberry filling never tastes right- it seems fake somehow, because it probably isn't lovingly homemade with fresh berries.

Mexican Breakfast Burritos

Until about 8 months ago, I had never had chorizo sausage before. An injustice to my taste buds, yes, I know. One of my coworkers, Alex, was kind enough to bring several of these burritos to work for us one day, and immediately I asked her for the recipe. "So easy," she said, and boy is it ever! It doesn't taste like it only takes 15 minutes, either, that is for sure. I've tried to make up for the lack of chorizo in my live by making a few different styles of breakfast burritos, all of which have been wonderful, but never as good as Alex's original recipe.

Back to Basics : Scrambled Eggs

Everyone has their own way of making scrambled eggs, it seems. When I took a poll at work before writing this post, I got everything from high heat/constant stirring, low heat/curdle and stir, even microwaving for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between.

Ice Cream Monkey Bread

This bread is crack. I mean it- it's literally addictive. My friend Kim made this the first time I had it, and if I didn't like her so much I would think she were trying to sabotage my life with this bread. I was introduced to monkey bread a few years ago when Travis and I first met and his mom made it for one of my visits, and I instantly fell in love.... with the bread. Oh with Travis too, I guess!

St. Patrick's Day Breakfast Burrito

Ok, so there is a very good possibility that I have a slight insane obsession with breakfast. Breakfast, brunch, and brinner- OH MY! How they bring me joy. However, eating eggs, bacon and cheese for every meal does not bring my arteries joy, no matter how hard I wish it would. I've tried to incorporate healthier options in my breakfasts over the years, and the easiest way I have found to do so is with the beloved burrito. Man you can put anything in those babies! Today, I went with green- in honor of St. Patrick's day. It's about the closest thing I will ever get to eating "Green Eggs and Ham," one of my favorite books as a kid.