Super Secret Spice Mix

What do you think of the fancy new blog design? I'm pretty happy with it. So I celebrated by eating WAY too much bread, dipped in some olive oil and my super secret spice mix. I was going to call this my super simple secret spice mix, but I thought that might be a little too much alliteration, even for me!

No matter what you call it, this is probably my favorite mix of spices to use on anything from meat, vegetables, eggs, or - my favorite -  as a dipping sauce for crusty bread. It's reminiscent of Italian seasoning, but has some other flavors too.

Perhaps it has been a secret until now, but I'm prepared to share my recipe with you lovely folks. Because, really, just look at that picture. Doesn't it make you hungry? 

Johnnycake (Northern Cornbread)

I'll preface this by saying that real johnnycake is actually more of a flatbread made with cornmeal, rather than this lightly-sweetened cornbread. However, that's the title of the recipe passed down in my family for goodness knows how many generations, and who am I to argue with my ancestors?

This is one of those recipes that needs no augmentation, no experimentation. It may be ancient, but it's perfect exactly as it is. We eat it most often with chili or bean soup, but it's good with anything you like - greens, pork barbeque, fried chicken - you name it.

And while the debate between sweetened and unsweetened cornbread rages on, as a Northern gal, I prefer a little sweetness in mine. No matter how you like your cornbread, I would encourage you to try this recipe, with its dense yet not cloying texture, fluffy crumb, and just the perfect amount of sugar. It will keep for several days - but don't expect it to last that long!

Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bourbon Sauce

 

Bread pudding is really not a summery sort of food. But today I was thinking about what I wanted to make for dessert, and the thought of rich, custardy bread pudding with sweet, creamy sauce just wouldn't get out of my head. Before I even realized it, I was surfing for recipes! And oh my, was I not sorry at all that I decided to make this.

The great thing about bread pudding is that if you have some stale bread, an egg or two, and some kind of dairy, you can make it easily. You don't need crazy ingredients or fancy tools to make a really comforting, delicious dessert. Just like Grandma used to make!