Cold Weather Comfort

Hello from snowy Bath, Maine! We survived the bomb cyclone (or the blizzard as we usually say here in Maine) and have dug out and are now preparing for another deep freeze. It seems like we went from a warm wonderful fall to the deep freeze of winter – no gradual temperature drop this year. And it isn’t just Maine experiencing the frigid temperatures but a good portion of the country.

Here at the B&B we are hunkered down and it is pretty quiet with only a few hardy guests over the next couple days. Amy is spending time taking down holiday decorations and redecorating the common areas with a winter theme. Mark has the driveway, steps and our patio all cleared of snow and wood stacked inside for a nice fire in the Gathering Room. Picco and I have been running off our energy outside and enjoying the cold temps and snow. After all we were born to life in the Italian Alps so we love this weather.

Another past time during this Wicked Quiet Season is experimenting with new recipes that we can serve our guests. Amy likes to find new ideas from all sorts of sources – online, the numerous cookbooks she has collected and recipes that family and friends send. Breakfast pizza has been a big hit with guests so far and she is currently working on some new bread doughs. She is also looking to punch up the complimentary afternoon tea we offer guests so trying her hand at petit fours and some other sweet delicacies.

But before these are perfected, some good old fashion comfort food is needed to get us through the weekend. I am thinking she will be making some good soup or stew for dinner (and hopefully giving us a little) and for breakfast the ultimate in comfort – pancakes. We have an incredible pancake recipe that comes from our good friend’s Italian grandmother. It is super easy, super good and super comforting on a cold winter morning. I am sneaking you the recipes (don’t tell Amy and Mark). These pancakes are great plain with real Maine maple syrup or you can add blueberries (we like Maine blueberries but others will work), shredded apples and cinnamon or banana and chocolate chips.

Ma Marie’s Pancakes

1 C unbleached flour

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 egg

1 C buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients then add egg and milk. Stir until combined. Batter will be thick and a bit lumpy. Cook on griddle coated with butter. If you are adding fruit add once ingredients are combined.

I hope you are warm and curled up with a good book until this bitter cold passes – and that you are treating yourself to some Ma Marie pancakes!

Tille