Patty Pinner - Sweet Mornings: 125 Sweet and Savory Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Copyright 2016 by Patty Pinner

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without express written permission from the publisher.

Photography by Peter McCullough.

Illustrations CreativeMarket.com / OneVectorStock

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pinner, Patty, 1954- author.

Sweet mornings: 125 sweet and savory breakfast and brunch recipes / Patty Pinner.

pages cm

Includes index.

Summary: A collection of sweet dessert recipes for breakfast and brunch, along with some savory dishes-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-57284-773-6

1. Breakfasts. I. Title.

TX733.P64 2016

641.52--dc23

2015032001

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 16 17 18 19 20

Midway is an imprint of Agate Publishing. Agate books are available in bulk at discount prices. agatepublishing.com

For my cousin, Ryan Sims; my son, Craig McAdams Sr.; and my beloved grandchildren, Craig McAdams Jr. and Amariona Murray-McAdams

Table of Contents

Contents

F or as long as I can remember, food has always been the dominant topic of conversation among the women in my family. Even now, when we get together, we share new recipes and encourage each other to try them. Ive learned from these women that a delicious, home-cooked meal is a powerful way to bring peace to a household. My grandmotherwe called her My Myused to tell us that breakfast was the most important meal in a love affair. She told me, A nice breakfast for the one you love is the most intimate, tried-and-true way to season a relationship. My mothers cousin Evalene who only cooked one fine meal a daybreakfastfor her husband, Stanley, once told me, I enjoy Stanley better in the morning. I start the day off madly in love with him, but as the day wanes, so does some of that love.

I am a firm believer that cooking for others is one of the best ways to express your love for them. I prefer to cook with the freshest and finest ingredients, and all good cooks know that love is the best spice. I even consider cooking for myself to be an act of loveIm giving myself the gift of wonderful tastes and aromas and invoking the memories of people who meant so much to me during my childhood. The act of preparing a meal reminds me of who I am and where Im from.

When I was growing up, my mother went out of her way to make our weekend mornings special. Her breakfasts usually included something sweet and delicious alongside her eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, and other breakfast items. Mama was one of those cooks who thought outside of the culinary boxshe wouldnt think twice about serving a sweet for breakfast that was traditionally served as a dessert. She would say, The only thing that differentiates breakfast from dinner is the time of day. You cant have a little sugar in the morning?

Like Mama, I enjoy brightening my mornings with luscious enhancements to my breakfast main courses. Theres nothing like filling the house with the tantalizing aroma of something sweet and spicy baking in the oven. My morning coffee is more rich and fulfilling when its served with my homemade doughnuts, crumb cakes, and sweet rolls. When served on my most elegant dishes, my morning sweets come to life, adding an element of celebration.

Ive been collecting sweet breakfast recipes for as long as I can remember. Most of them came from the women in my family, who guarded their recipes as if they were secret love potions. Many of my recipes go way backthey were passed down from my great-grannies, aunties, and cousins. Others came from neighborhood women famous in our community for their cooking. It gives me great pleasure to scour through my recipes and recall the stories of the women who gave them to me. My recipes are testimonials to all Ive learned, listened to, and observed in the kitchens of other women. Women sharpen women, my grandmother used to say.

Many of the recipes in this book reflect a time when folks lingered over their breakfast tables, rapt in conversation. They testify to my love of the sweet side of breakfast and are ideal for those weekend mornings when breakfast is served a little later than usual. Nothing soothes the soul or welcomes someone to the table like a good, hearty breakfast with a sweet treat on the side. I am pleased to share these recipes with you.