Home At Last! with Patty Gironda

We've enjoyed the company of young guests this past two days and promised to make all their favorite breakfast foods on this last morning.  The family, (Mom, Grandma, Griffin and Lili) have enjoyed their morning family time and breakfasts have been leisurely and fun. Griffin, an 11-year old "grown-up" wanted a vegetarian breakfast sandwich-an easy request with whole-grain English muffins, sliced cheese and fresh tomato.  Of course we have to serve a sweet course and today's treat took full advantage of this season's sweet, flavorful strawberries!  One of the best seasons I can remember in years.  We made a morning version of a pioneer biscuit shared with me years ago by an aunt living in Colorado. Easy, no fail biscuits that are fluffy and buttery.  I added two tablespoons of powdered sugar for a slightly sweeter biscuit and double-baked them for a little extra crunch!  The strawberries were macerated overnight with my homemade black curran...

A easy recipe from the 1800's Shortening Bread deserves a revival. Growing up a southern girl I remember the childhood folksong that was often sung to babies and performed by children in school plays. The cookies are light and tasty with the substitution of brown sugar instead of white. They have a wonderful crumb and will be combined with fresh bread crumbs to create a breakfast cheesecake with glazed fruit! These were baked to sit beneath fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream.

What defines the perfect home fries for you? At Casa Bella think we make pretty great home fries with Golden Yukon potatoes, crispy potato bits marbled through-out and a small amount of Mexican cheese blend on top. Subtle layers of green onion, garlic, olive oil and spices slowly cooked in a hot black skillet with our parboiled potates create a crispy side dish perfect for our nestled eggs, sausage strata or creamy omelettes filled with tomatoes and goat cheese!

My wild petunias have finally bloomed-marking the true beginning of Atlanta's summer months. My small garden is alive with activity including this bee who was so busy he didn't mind my camera in his face! I picked my first nastursiums today and have slated them for a refreshing summer drink that I will showcase on Home At Last! this week. I am freezing pretty ice cubes filled with flowers and mint to garnish a refreshing drink of watermelon and lemonade. The versatility of the recipe as a punch or alcoholic drink makes it a natural for summertime entertaining. Equally pleasing to children and adults, the drink is the perfect compliment to a Mexican menu - pairing well with tomatoes, cilantro, cumin and oregano!