Chef Michael Salmon - Join me in my Kitchen
Poached pears were always on our breakfast menu at the Inn, and this version over pistachio pound cake with a raspberry-star anise sauce was a big hit.
Think of frittatas as thick open-faced omelets topped with lots of goodies. This one is topped with Atlantic smoked salmon, red onions, capers, Vermont cheddar and chives and then served with a dollop of sour cream.
Mary Jo always treats herself to specialty yogurts when we are in Europe. The challenge is that she does not like fruit, well, most fruit. Some flavors she enjoys are mocha, pistachio, toasted coconut and her favorite is lemon. This recipe yields about 3 quarts of thick-rich-tangy-creamy-lemony MJ-worthy goodness. Reserve some of the plain yogurt you make as a live culture, and all you will need to make endless amounts of yogurt in the future is milk.
Lemon-Poppy Seed bread is great on it’s own, used as a base for poached pears, or diced and layered into a fruit trifle. The batter can also be used in muffin pans to create individual muffins. The moist-citrus cake is a perfect accompaniment for breakfast and is also great in the afternoon with tea. I often substitute other citrus flavors like mandarins or tangerines for the lemons. A splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau also adds another taste dimension to this recipe.
Avocado toast has been one of my favorite breakfast items since I first had it in 1987 when I moved to Florida for my externship from the CIA. I wanted to share my “simple” version since it plays such a large role in my morning routine. There are many versions of avocado toast out there and most feature smashed avocados. I prefer the texture of the sliced avocado over the creamy “guacamole” texture of the smashed. The key to avocado toast is a perfectly ripe avocado and great bread. Toppings are optional.
Stir things up a little by substituting other fruits for the berries; try chopped fresh nectarines, mangoes, cherries…almost any fruit would do, and match it with a coordinating crème Anglaise. This recipe serves 8 as a first course with one berry crêpe per person. If you want to serve it as the main dish in the morning, or as a dessert at night, 2 crêpes per person may be more appropriate.
It’s late August here in Maine and I am making zucchini bread every week…they just keep coming. Zucchini bread has always been one of my favorite breakfast “quick breads” to make and eat.
Granola was a weekly production item for me at the Inn and my batches were huge with 40+ guests for breakfast each morning. We served it with milk or yogurt, sprinkled it in Lemon Curd Trifles and used it as a crunchy coating on French Toast.
Morning Glory Muffins are always a big hit on our Foodie Trips to Europe. Brimming with carrots, shredded fruit and nuts, these muffins are rich and satisfying. A great way to start your Glorious Morning!
Last fall I pressed my own cider from 4 apple trees I have at the farm and it was so much fun. I ended up with about 8 gallons of cider, some of which made it into these muffins. I have been making these muffins on our Foodie trips for years, and they have always been a crowd pleaser.
Join me in my kitchen as I prepare recipes from my two cookbooks, European foodie trips and explore new inspirations.
