Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Winter Breakfast


"Did you add salt?" He always asks me that when I make the oatmeal. I never cooked oatmeal with salt before we met. Salt is for savory food and oatmeal is a sweet, breakfast food, right? Okay, technically oatmeal is not sweet at all but you'll never catch me eating it plain or without some sort of sweet addition. And though I never would normally add salt to oatmeal, now I find my hand uncontrollably hovering over the salt bowl for a pinch to toss into the oatmeal as it cooks. 

There are still days that I forget and cook it without salt but nowadays, most times you'll find just a hint of salt flavor mixed in with my butter and brown sugar, or fruit topping. The tiny hint of salt provides a more rounded flavor and when I think about it, most chocolate chip cookie recipes that I've come across call for a little salt. 

A few combinations of things that you could find adorning my oatmeal:

- Fresh blueberries, walnut halves, butter, brown sugar and milk

- A light sprinkling of homemade granola, with sliced bananas & milk

- A BIG dollop of fresh “fruktkräm" and milk. Fruktkräm is a homemade Swedish jam made with any leftover berries and fruits, that are slightly passed their freshness but not quite ready for the compost, with a little added sugar and potato flour for thickener. So delicious!

... or one of my new favorites...

- Sliced bananas and a tablespoon or two of ground cinnamon cooked in with the 
  oatmeal that is then topped with a dusting of brown sugar and a heavy pour of milk. 



 Complete with a lovely cappuccino...

Good to the last spoonful...


And if I'm feeling especially inspired... 

baked oatmeal with bananas, blueberries, milk, eggs and a touch of sugar, cinnamon and pecans...



What favorite toppings or flavors adorn your oatmeal?

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Combating the Winter Blues


How do you fight the winter blues? Do you have a formula, or list of things that you do to help you get through the long, dark, winter days? Some people take additional vitamins while some light lots of candles or take hot [lemon-scented] baths. A cozy evening at home with a glass of velvety, red wine and a few squares of dark chocolate can also be helpful, but for me the best tools of combat include embracing the winter for all it is worth and planning adventurous outings. Whether it be riding my bike, decked out with winter tires, ice skating on frozen lakes, learning to cross-country ski, or taking an evening ceramics class, my time is filled with winter blues combating endeavors. 

One of the things I really miss during the winter however is going on picnics. There is something so cheerful and happy about sitting outdoors on a picnic blanket, drinking an elderberry soda, or other similar summery beverage, and enjoying a picnic with my husband or a group of friends. One thing I have realized however, is that picnics do not have to be limited to summertime, or mild spring and fall days. Winter picnics can be just as fun, albeit minus sitting outside in shorts or a summer dress. It only requires a bit of imagination and a spontaneous, adventurous spirit. 

Here are a few ideas for how you can make your own winter picnic... and in the process combat a few of those pesky, winter blues...

Picnic #1

A bottle of wine (or other desired beverage)
A selection of artisan cheeses with a variety of hard breads and crackers
An assortment of cold and warm salads, made yourself or picked up at your favorite deli
A crudités plate
A decadent dessert that you made, or picked up at a local bakery

Oh... and don’t forget your picnic basket and a blanket. No trips back and forth to the kitchen allowed! Clear out a spot in your living room, light some candles, sit on the floor and enjoy your picnic!

Picnic #2

A thermos full of hot chocolate
Almond butter and honey sandwiches, or your own personal favorite
A couple of clementines
Maybe a couple of cookies

This picnic is to be enjoyed outdoors and preferably involving an outdoor, winter activity such as a hike through the forest, a walk (or car ride) in the city to a nearby park, or an ice skating outing etc... 


I personally love drinking hot chocolate outdoors during the winter. Something about it really warms the soul and soothes those winter chills. 


What do you do to combat the winter blues?