After months of deprivation, I baked two loaves of Tartine country bread this weekend (and managed to wait almost an hour before slicing into one and smearing it with Nutella).  When you’re perpetually short on time and can buy fantastic bread two blocks away, it’s hard to find the motivation to feed a starter every day, but pulling these browned, crackling loaves from the oven renewed my desire to do nothing but bake bread.

In the past three days I’ve used the bread as a vehicle for peanut butter and strawberry jam, Nutella, a fried egg with cheddar and kale, and, for dinner tonight, Super Bowl leftovers: slow-cooked pork shoulder with homemade barbecue sauce and sharp cheddar cheese, broiled and then topped with pickled red onions.  What toppings will tomorrow bring?

Shells with taleggio, pecorino romano and parmesan topped with lightly sautéed kale

I made an abridged version (no veal knuckles or calves feet) of Julia Child’s pot roast – chuck roast, wine, a little beef broth, carrots, celery, onion, turnips, garlic and thyme, simmered on the stove and then in the oven for a few hours until tender.

While it was cooking, I made almond milk.  I don’t know that I’ve ever had almond milk before, but knowing that I could easily make it in my Vitamix was enough to make me want to try it.  Quick, delicious, and pretty exciting.

I also baked a carrot cake in my new little bundt pan.

Voilà! The roast done roasted.

Pot roast, gougère, roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts

Not quite enough lemon-cream cheese frosting for my liking, but it will do.

Homemade quick pickles to make Brasa-like sandwiches with leftovers

Monday night dinner: leftover pot roast, sharp cheddar, pickles, spinach, and homemade horseradish mayo on a Rustica baguette

Our minds were blown.

Pineapple-grapefruit juice

(A few handfuls of frozen & thawed pineapple + one peeled grapefruit + a couple of dates + a handful of ice cubes + a little water + agave syrup to taste to counteract the bitterness of the grapefruit pith, blended in the Vitamix)

Bacon, veggie & cheese frittata

(Crisped bacon + sautéed kale & broccoli + sautéed onion & cubed potato + grated sharp cheddar, provolone & parmesan + eggs & parsley)

Fresh juice, frittata, bagel, Intelligentsia El Diablo dark roast and a side of crossword