Semi-Recipe: A Special Brunch

When I was in the 7th grade, I became friends two girls named Cindy and Sara. We passed handwritten notes in class, sat together at lunch, talked about boys and walked to school together. We were inseparable, and apparently, I cooked for them back then too!

This year, for our 30th birthdays, we took a trip to Montreal in September. To celebrate their real birthdays, I invited them over for brunch at my place. I guess some things never change. We’ve been through a lot and I’m so thankful for their friendship. I hope we are friends until we are old and gray!

Raspberry chocolate torte

I prepared the following: cranberry walnut quickbread, fritatta cups, a simple fruit salad, and a sweet dutch baby. We also had pumpkin spiced lattes and mimosas to drink, followed by a homemade chocolate raspberry torte in place of a birthday cake. I thought a raspberry torte made for a more “grown up” celebration. Happy birthday to my dearest friends!

I sauteed spinach, mushrooms, and bacon with shallots.

Put them into muffin tins, poured some egg in, and baked them for 15 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Aren’t they so cute?

A simple fruit salad: raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, orange and apples.

Homemade buttermilk: whole milk and vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes.

Mix batter: flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla, buttermilk, walnuts, and cranberries.

After baking at 325 for 25 minutes, you get this beauty.

Dutch baby: homemade pancake batter placed in a VERY hot cast iron skillet, serve with raspberries and maple syrup.

Pumpkin spice latte