Pull Apart Coffee Cake

Just writing this post is making my stomach growl...I mean, look at that coffee cake!  It is so heavenly.  I only make it twice a year...for Christmas and for Easter.  And I always take it to Michael's family party on those days, because if I weren't taking it to a party I'm afraid I'd eat the whole thing.  It's that good.  And it is simple to make.  The recipe has been around for ages.  My Great Aunt Helen makes this cake, as did Michael's Grandfather when he was alive.  I've always used the Ultimate Coffee Cake Recipe from Paula Deen, but it's the same as theirs.  So this recipe has been around the block.  It is tried and true.  And out of this world.  If you have a brunch or breakfast coming up and need to make a dish, this is perfect!  I feel the need to say though...it is NOT healthy.  It is a treat..one I make just twice a year.  Everything in moderation!

Paula Deen's Ultimate Coffee Cake Recipe

My Favorite Eggs

I hope you don't think this week's recipe is lame, but I'm quite smitten with these scrambled eggs I've concocted.  I'll share the very simple recipe with you in the hopes that you will be smitten with the basil+goat cheese combo too.  And then if you want to share your favorite eggs recipe below that would be grand!  Side notes...I love these eggs with toasted homemade Multigrain Bread and there simply must be a handmade cloth napkin at my side as well (see tutorial here).

The cast of characters:

(This is enough for me + Henry, adjust numbers to meet your needs)

PAM or butter to grease the pan

3 eggs (I do 2 whites and one whole egg)

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. dried basil, or 1 Tbs. fresh basil

a splash of milk

1 Tbs. Goat Cheese (or more if you'd like - crumbled or fresh grated)

Heat a small skillet sprayed with PAM over Med-High heat, add eggs, basil, salt & milk.  Stir until eggs are cooked (less than 5 minutes...watch closely and stir often!).  Once eggs are cooked through remove from heat and stir in goat cheese.  Enjoy!

Hashbrown Casserole

Right before Christmas I was looking for a tried and true Hashbrown Casserole recipe that I could make ahead of time and cook on Christmas Eve morn when we gathered with my family to celebrate.  I wanted something easy but delicious.  Several friends sent me their recipe and from theirs I created my own, using bits and pieces of each recipe.  I was quite proud of my creation, and everyone at the table really seemed to enjoy it! 

Hashbrown Casserole

(can be prepared the night before - except for the cooking part)

2 lb. bag of shredded hash browns
1 can Cream of Celery soup
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 stick butter (melted)
1 cup (or more!) chopped onion

Mix ingredients well and bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until it is bubbly and golden.

what's for breakfast?

a little while back one of my favorite bloggers, the pioneer woman, posted a recipe that made me drool...make ahead muffin melts. i had to have them. and so i did. the recipe was so easy to prepare -- my favorite kind of meal. you make the egg/bacon/cheese mixture the night before you want to eat it and keep it in the fridge. the next morning all you do is slop the mixture onto english muffins and bake! this recipe makes quite a few muffin melts, and would be perfect for a brunch where you are having people over. who wants to get up early and prepare a big meal for company? if you made these muffin melts you would just prepare them the night ahead and then roll out of bed right before your guests arrived! and they aren't just a breakfast food. i ate them for breakfast, lunch, and a midnight snack! my dad & i think they would make a tasty appetizer as well, if you quartered the english muffins.

if you have not checked out the pioneer woman's blog, you should do that as well, she has so many yummy recipes on her blog, as well as other fun stuff, and fabulous giveaways! watch out, her blog is highly addictive. her recipes are always well-written, and she adds photo instructions, which i love.

if you are already a pioneer woman fan...tell me, what is your favorite recipe of hers?