Everyday Gourmet

Everyday Gourmet
We've got a whisk, and we know how to use it!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Bed and Breakfasts That I Have Met

       In my limited travels I have met some good Bed and Breakfast Inns. On a short vacation to the coast of Maine my husband and I stayed in a lovely home, not luxurious, but lovely, near the town of York.We ate the obligatory lobster and waded in the cold Atlantic while the temperature in Texas was 100+, toured the town's old jail, put our heads and hands in the stocks that were meant to humiliate the law-breaker. Breakfast times provided good food and interesting conversations with a mix of people. Some were interested in our "take" on the U. S. Civil War since we were from the "South." The War gets fought over and over! The tour book had proclaimed this B&B breakfast an event. It was!  The most memorial dish was the ORANGE-THYME PANCAKES. I cannot remember the name of the inn, The travel book is packed away. The best I can do is to provide the recipe for the pancakes.

      Another good  B&B was The Hale House in Jefferson, Texas. Jill and Vaughan, our B&B lover friends, met us there for a mystery weekend in town. The dinner-mystery theatre was so-so, but the house had it's own ghost which added a nice dimension to our stay. AND for breakfast we were served FRUIT SOUP. That recipe is included.

        Good stops in Waco include Pam and Rick Allen's COLCORD HOUSE and the JUDGE BAYLOR HOUSE  owned and operated by Bruce and Dorothy Dyer. Both of these hosts/owners are gracious, accommodating, and the houses have ample room for eating and visiting.

        In my limited B&B experience I've met only one bad one. We were trying to save money. We didn't. My husband went out for breakfast every morning. The breakfast at the inn consisted of cereal in a bowl whose sanitation was suspect or toast, coffee and maybe orange juice from a carton. The rooms were unbearably cold. I have forgotten the name. I haven't even tried to remember. I just remember the adage--"You get what you pay for."

Orange Thyme Pancakes
Recipe modified from several sources on the internet.
2 c all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 salt
1/4 c sugar
1/2 t  ground thyme (or 1 t dried thyme)
1 3/4 c orange juice
2 eggs
1/4 melted butter

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Add orange juice and melted butter and mix well. Stir liquids into the dry ingredients. If batter seems stiff, add a little more orange juice. Do not over mix. Drop batter on griddle by spoonfuls. Turn when bubbles start to form on top. Serve with maple syrup or try with the Maple and Orange Pancake Sauce.

Maple and Orange Pancake Sauce
1/2 c maple syrup
1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 c butter
Juice and grated peel of 2 oranges

Put the maple syrup into a small, heavy-based sauce pan. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir over low hear until smoothly blended and warm. Serve immediately.

Tropical Fruit Soup
Recipe from the Hale House
1 large can crushed or tidbit pineapple, with juice
1 can Coco Lopez 1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup water
Bananas, kiwi and/or strawberries
1/2 c toasted almonds for garnish and crunch

Combine first four ingredients in a blender. Blend 15-20 seconds. Chill overnight. When ready to serve, add sliced fruit. (I think some fresh blueberries and peaches would be good, too)

Please leave me a note and let me know of a good B&B--anywhere!!!






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