Cranberry Almond Crunch Greek Yogurt Pancakes

Today is the day after Thanksgiving, known to the majority of the world as Black Friday but to my mother and I as Christmas Decoration Day.  I know many of you have been listening to carols, decorating your homes and strategizing plans of attack for mall sales for quite some time now.  But my mother instilled in me a great appreciation of Thanksgiving - quality family time, wonderful food and lots of laughter - and the importance of not letting the impending season of gift-giving and religious festivities overshadow this wonderful day.  Meaning that the morning after Thanksgiving, I'm absolutely chomping at the bit to cover every inch of the house in holly, jingle bells and penguins wearing snuggly knit hats (an ironic choice of attire, when you think about it).  And to start off Decoration Day, an equally festive breakfast is essential.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie with Hazelnut Crust

Pumpkin pie is a quintessential Thanksgiving day dessert.  It never matters how much turkey you've tasted, stuffing you've stuffed or cranberries you've crammed...the meal isn't over until you've had a bit of that deep orange delight.  Fragrant, creamy and so very festive, we all request "just a sliver" to round out the meal.  Unfortunately, pumpkin pie is not a light dessert.  It is often dense and heavy, the tipping point from a little over-satisfied to painfully over-stuffed.  That was why I was so incredibly delighted to find this amazing recipe a few years ago.  This light, fluffy pie is the absolute perfect way to end a family feast without putting yourself into a food coma.

Papa's Little Pigs

Nothing sticks with you quite like a childhood favorite.  Perhaps that's why I've alluded to this recipe so many, many times before.  To me, there is nothing in the world quite like this breakfast.  As soon as that first bite passes my lips, I'm immediately transported back to a breakfast table containing the 5 year-old version of myself in feety pajamas, sitting across from my braces-clad brothers with my volleyball popple at my side.  And of course, my dad at the head of the table.  Because this was his signature breakfast - Little Pigs.  Aptly named, considering the squeals of delight that erupted from us kids whenever he donned an apron in the morning.

Lamb & Barley Stew w/ White Beans & Feta

Last week, we had our first snow of the year.  Sure, it was a measly dusting that only lasted two days, but the hubs and I still made the most of it.  Flames danced in the fireplace, the pups built snuggly dens in blankets on the couch and the scent of hot apple cider filled our entire apartment.  When the weather gets cold, it's time to get cozy.  And nothing says "cozy" like a hearty stew.  Particularly if your stew is a rich, decadent concoction of lamb, goat cheese and rosemary.  I mean, come on now.

Single Serving Coffee Cake

I have a pretty big crush on coffee cake.  A warm, tender pastry topped with sweet, cinnamon-y streusel is pretty tough to refuse straight out of bed, particularly when served along side a piping hot mug of coffee (Thanksgiving blend, a-hem!).  Keep your donuts, your fritters and your bavarian cremes...just give me a nice chunk of cake, please and thank you.  But the key word in that sentence is "piece", as in just enough for one, maybe two servings.  Which is why this single serving recipe is so darn perfect.

Grilled Cheese Sticks w/ Apple Butter Dipping Sauce

There is nothing quite like a toasty grilled cheese sandwich on a crisp autumn afternoon.  It is one of those classic fall meals that transcends all generations.  My mormor always served hers with a side of ketchup, my mom with homemade tomato basil soup.  And chances are you have your own favorite variation in your household.  Man those two make quite a pair.  But along with a love of tomatoes, my mother passed down another favorite pairing with sharp cheddar...apples.  Be it raw granny smiths or hot apple pie, there is nothing quite like the sweet and salty combo of cheddar and apples.

Pumpkin Butter French Toast w/ Pecans & Vermont Maple Syrup

If you've visited the hubs and I here for breakfast before, you know that I am not a maple syrup gal.  Morning after morning, I have adamantly opposed maple syrup, always opting for honey or agave nectar on top of my bready morning delights.  But thanks to the hubs, the state of Vermont and the residency program in Burlington for their delicious souvenirs, I get to sing a different tune today!  I'm embracing maple for the first time ever...and on one of my absolute favorite seasonal breakfasts in Pumpkin Butter French Toast.