Barbara O'Neal's Blog, page 5

Pain Grenoblois, or how I spent the afternoon

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Raisin Nut Bread, made from a pate Viennoise starter, a little rye flour, and the liquide levain I've been working and working with. I also soaked the raisins in orange juice and a little bit of vanilla.  Isn't it beautiful? I know what I'll be eating for breakfast tomorrow!

Pancake kisses, bacon hugs

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THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING is out today! To celebrate, a love song to breakfast.
PANCAKE KISSES, BACON HUGS
Why breakfast is the secret of everything
I suppose I should confess upfront that I am a morning person. I wake up cheery, chatty and at the very first fingers of sunlight creeping over the horizon. I know you find [...:]

Giveaway! Salt of the earth…the sea…the mountains

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12 days until the release of THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING  (Tuesday, December 29), and to celebrate, here is another little giveaway. 
The Secret of Everything is centered in a little town that has, quite by accident, become a center of food culture.  One of the characters in the book is 8-year-old Natalie, who is very particular [...:]

Win a free ARC of THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING

[image error] THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING will be out in 27 26 days! Reader feedback so far has been extraordinary (check out the comments at GoodReads.com), and I'm very excited for everyone to read Tessa's story.

To celebrate, I'll offering a some little contests and giveaways over the next few weeks. This is the first one. I am giving away FOUR free ARCs of THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING. As soon as I draw names, I'll run to the post office and mail them out, so you will have it by next Friday.

Slow Cooked, Chunky, Spicy Apple Butter

[image error] Technically, I suppose, apple butter is smooth. I originally made this recipe last winter and pureed it afterward. Since, however, my main use for this particular condiment is in my morning oatmeal, I have found I much prefer it to be left chunky. Recipe is adapted from one I found at The Art of Homemaking.

The Elegant Joy of Dogness

[image error] This what one of the things I love about dogs. She isn't wailing about the impending end of her days on the planet. She's fully engaged, living today, living with excitement. She doesn't mourn the long walks she used to take when she was a younger healthier dog, she just charges out there to do what she can do now. She doesn't get all stressed out about the diaper or her funny walk. On bad mornings, she waits patiently for one of us to carry her down the stairs, and we gladly do it, and when...

Day of the Dead Bread and Chocolate

[image error] In The Lost Recipe for Happiness, by Barbara O'Neal, chef Elena Alvarez has good reasons to celebrate The Day of the Dead with great gusto. Here are two recipes, one for Mayan Hot Chocolate, and one for Pan de Muerto.