You may have noticed that my blog has been left unattended for a short while. Life for me now is a little ruffled around the edges. In fact I am having to just step back a bit and regroup myself. It is not anything earth shattering for that matter, but when it’s happening to you it seems that you are in it all alone. I am struggling though with several things that mean a lot to me. Along with those few things that are very personal the end of the school year has been busier than usual. My dearest friend, my go to person when everything is falling apart around me retired from teaching. I hosted along with seven other friends a celebration for her many years of dedication and love of teaching. I am going to miss her. She and I have taught together at the same schools for thirty years. I cannot imagine my school day without her there. Of course there are others that will no longer be there to share my day, too. It’s sad for me.
Nothing says summer like a big scoop of ice cream and what makes it even better is when you can make it right at home. This ice cream is so rich, creamy, and oh so chocolatey. The chocolate is intense, but not bitter. The texture is as smooth as satin. Trust me it is so good you will never buy chocolate ice cream again. Just think the best ice cream you have ever had!
This is without a doubt the best Banana Bread that I have ever had! I love banana bread right out of the oven or several days old toasted with a little dollop of butter. With a nice hot cup of coffee there is nothing better to start my morning. I fell in love with this bread several years ago when my sister-in-law baked it for breakfast Christmas morning. I just could not stop gushing over how moist and flavorful it was and could not wait to get home and try the recipe. After making it many times I have gotten it to the point of perfection.
I love potatoes any way they are prepared. Growing up my mother took us every Wednesday after school to visit my grandparents. My grandmother was such a good cook and I loved her boiled new potatoes with butter and black pepper. They were always waiting on me to devour as we spent the afternoon on the porch. So I knew when I saw this recipe for pan-fried smashed new potatoes in Gourmet Quick Kitchen that I had to try them. I love the description in the magazine ” These are everything potatoes should be: crisp-skinned yet pillowy, generously sprinkled with salty parmesan.” Who can resist these?
The Teacher Cooks 