I love making big family breakfasts on the weekend. I find it so relaxing to wake up on Saturday morning with nothing particularly urgent to do except making something warm and cozy to eat in our pajamas. With the weather in full fall mode last weekend I decided to make an awesome baked oatmeal to start the weekend right. I had a fresh bag of McIntosh apples on hands, plenty of cinnamon, and everything I needed to whip up this easy breakfast.
This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.
I love chai tea in the morning. In the summer I drink it over ice and in the winter I drink it warm with milk. When I ran out of regular milk the other day I decided to try adding coconut milk instead. I don’t need to stick to a dairy-free diet or anything, but I love the flavor of coconut and I certainly wasn’t about to run to the store for milk at 6am! Luckily, my little experiment turned out to be a tasty treat. I did my best to whip the milk into a froth with a whisk (I’ve put this to my Christmas wishlist!), added it to the hot tea, and topped it all with a pinch of cinnamon. The naturally sweet coconut milk was the perfect compliment to the spicy tea and was just the way to start the morning.
I am so excited to today to be participating in a virtual viewing party for my friend Phoebe. Tonight she is making her television debut as part of Team USA on Jamie Oliver’s new cooking show competition: Chef Race: UK vs US. I’ve already set my DVR to watch it on BBC America! To celebrate Phoebe’s accomplishment (I can’t wait to see how she fares!) I am participating in this awesome virtual potluck party for her team featuring all kinds of classic American foods. For my contribution I am making our favorite baked macaroni and cheese with marinara. If there is any more all-American dish I don’t know it and it happens to be a naptime classic around these parts.
This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.
This month I’ve been all about indulging my cravings for spicy food and it is beginning to show around here. I know a lot of you don’t mind a little heat now and then so hopefully I’m not going too overboard. Rest assured, I always include instructions on how to tone down the heat to suit your palate! In our Facebook chat earlier this month some of you indicated you want more slow-cooker dishes that are not beef or pork oriented. Lucky you, because now that the weather has cooled down, and I am slowing down I bit, I’ve been using my slow-cooker every chance I get and today I’ve got a great, lighter fall/winter soup for you!
Now and then I like to pop in to chat about some of my newest favorite things. This is the stuff I’ve been enjoying recently from around the internet and beyond. As you can probably tell, my baby nesting instincts are starting to emerge. Lately I’ve been flipping around home decor websites just as much as my favorite food rags. I’ve also been scooping out a few fashiony items, mostly concentrating on the things I can actually take advantage of now (i.e. shoes, bags, and make-up) while I can’t fit into normal clothes. I am also happy to report that I am far less absent-minded and wiped out than I was when I checked in last summer. Phew – I am glad that phase is over! Now I am just a normal pregnant lady who gets out of breath carrying groceries and craves chocolate like it is going out of style.
My Fall Favorites 2012:
Naptime Kitchen Gear: With apples coming in my the bucket load I am all about this slicer – so much easier when I need thin slices for tarts
Naptime Reading: This new novel is SO good. I am crazy about all things Hemingway and this book is a fun look at his second marriage.
Naptime Retail Therapy: These boots are on my wish list…they are they perfect height for pregnant ladies!
Naptime Baby: I might put Jeni’s on my baby registry!
Naptime Websites: Love reading this site, loving shopping for accessories on this site, OMG Beurre & Sel is OPEN!!!
Naptime Beauty: This year I am obsessed with this for dark lips. (I mean, just because I can’t wear the fashionable clothes this month doesn’t mean I can’t make an effort!)
Earlier this month on Facebook I asked what you would like to see on The Naptime Chef this fall. I am so grateful that all of you wrote back with the most terrific answers! There were requests for everything from more chicken and vegetable oriented slow-cooker meals, family breakfast food and kids snacks, to toddler finger food, entertaining ideas, and easy Mexican dishes. I promise I am going to do my best to fulfill all of your needs this fall and, given my current obsession with all things spicy, today I am starting with this simple family-friendly make-ahead meal.
