Route 1 meanders through the Big Sur region of California, segmented into various state parks and state reserves. You pass a half-mile of densely wooded hills, sunlight blocked by the sequoiadendron giganteum, the coastal redwoods. A nondescript National Park kiosk heralds a change in scenery. The next half-mile is marked by motels, signs promising lower cabin rates and tent sites “right on the river!”
Read moreBRAN MUFFINS
When we were little, our dad used to sing us the "do you know the muffin man?" song on weekend mornings. He also used to feed us hot buttered English muffins quite a bit too. Coincidence? I think not.
Read moreBUTTER FAN ROLLS
I don't want to get too intense about how much I like butter fan rolls, but I can't resist. So here's my case: First, they are just incredibly good. They are buttery, and soft inside, and slightly crisp on the outside, and just a little salty.
Read morePURPLE PLUM TORTE
Let's talk a little bit about comfort. Lately I've been baking a lot for comfort. If I'm feeling listless, or uncertain, it gives me a wonderfully concrete task to focus on. You have to walk to the market with purpose, and make actual choices instead of meandering with your hands in your pockets, eating too many cheese samples and asking questions like "how late are you open?", to indicate that you could possibly buy something at some distant point in the day, instead of just eating all the aforementioned samples.
Read moreSWEET CINNAMON-SUGAR CREPES
I don't like to exit my bed any earlier than I deem absolutely necessary. The other morning though, I thought about cooking a lavish breakfast -- no milky oatmeal, no buttered toast -- but a real, honest-to-goodness meal of pillowy waffles, or plump blueberry-strewn pancakes. And let me just say, that got me out of bed right quick.
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