Simply Scrumtious Walnut Bread

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We've been buried in fog for the past several days. It's the kind you associate with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and the clopping of horse's hooves on the cobblestones of a back alley in Merrie Olde England. Around seven this morning, the Silver Fox joined me at the table, had a few sips of coffee and then went out on the deck. While I couldn't see him, I could here him pacing on the deck and knew instinctively that cabin fever had the man in its grip. He came back into the house and issued one of his famous urbi et Maria pronouncements, "We're heading to the coast, I want to be out of here by ten." Normally, I'd have been thrilled, but I had committed to bring something to a coffee the following morning. Wanting not to disappoint on either score, I did a quick search of my "keepers" and found this old recipe for a super simple, yet scrumptious walnut bread. Fortunately, I had walnuts aplenty and immediately started work on the loaves which I knew would be perfect for the morning coffee. While I had to use the microwave to help bring the ingredients to room temperature, once that was done it took all of ten minutes to make the bread and throw it in the oven. I dressed while it baked and left its care to the kitchen gods who have been very kind to me of late. Both the bread and I were ready for our ten o'clock departure. We headed toward the coast and by the time we crossed the Siuslaw River, the sun was shining. We spent the day learning how to crab and inspected  a three-master, called the "Sea Nile" whose owner may indeed have been. At any rate, downtown Florence, one of our larger coastal towns, was packed with folks who had the same idea as the sun-starved Silver Fox and he had to share the streets with them. We headed home and while our part of the valley was still smothered in fog, the aroma of the walnut bread as we walked in the door reminded me how very good this simple bread can be. I do hope you'll try the recipe. Make it the day before you plan to serve it and I promise you'll not be disappointed. Here is how it's made.

Simply Scrumptious Sandwiches for a Crowd

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Years ago,  I started using a technique that makes serving sandwiches to a crowd really easy. I found that by slicing loaves of sandwich bread horizontally rather than vertically, I could make one sandwich that would feed three to four people. I also learned that I could make four of these super sandwiches at a time. I wanted to share the technique and some applications of it with those of you who will be feeding a crowd on Super Bowl Sunday. Both these sandwiches are easy to make, and while they are very simple, I'll guarantee they'll please your family and friends. A sandwich loaf cut horizontally, will produce four long slices of bread that can be used to make these super-sized sandwiches. While each of the recipes I'm featuring makes just one long sandwich, the ingredients can be doubled, tripled or quadrupled, as is needed to feed the crew that you've brought together for the big game. While I don't assemble the sandwiches ahead of time, I make sure that all the ingredients are set to go, so when I'm ready, all I have to do is layer the ingredients and pop the sandwiches in the oven. I do hope you'll give these recipes a try. I'm especially fond of the toasted cheese sandwich and I highly recommend it to you. Here is how these simple super-sized sandwiches are made.

Simply Scrumptious Blueberry and Almond Cheese Puff

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely tart is a scrumptious treat that's as easy to make as it is to eat. Commercially prepared puff pastry is perfectly acceptable to use in its preparation, and its use certainly makes assembly of the tart nearly effortless. There is also a bit of room to play with this recipe. You can swap raspberries for blueberries and mascarpone can, of course, replace the cream cheese that serves as the base of the tart filling. I do, however, strongly suggest you serve the tart the same day it is made. You'll find it loses its shard-like crispness and appeal if it sits around too long. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. I know those of you who do will love this crisp tart. Here is how it's made.