downsizing

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I have a habit of cramming warmish eggo waffles slathered with peanut butter in my mouth while packing lunches, ironing uniforms, and french braiding hair in the morning.  It always ends with me feeling rushed and less than satisfied. Lately I have been trying to take more time eating.  The more I can make an event out of a meal...the more I remember eating it (and this prevents me from wanting to eat again in 5 min).

Real_french_toast1

My Tante tells me that European women do not eat "fat free foods". Nor do they diet.  They just eat smaller portions- sitting down.  So this morning I played make believe.  I was pretending to be French, eating real french toast.  I cut out a hole in my sourdough bread and fried my egg in the middle.  I used butter.  Real butter.  I sat and ate in a small cafe downtown next to a fresh flower market at my dining room table. Then I had coffee.  I love the lattes that my local coffee shop makes.  I buy their coffee and make my own at home most mornings.  For some reason I just couldn't replicate the taste.  I finally asked them their secret.  Are you ready?  Here it is:

Whole_milk1

Yep, full fat milk.  Great.  I began wondering, "why do I settle for less taste just so I can have more?"  Doesn't it seem to make more sense to prepare foods the way you really like them and just eat less?  I am going for quality over quantity these days.

Cups1

So, I had to downsize my cup.  The white one looks more French anyways don't you think?  I use a stove top espresso maker but I saw this the other day and think that it would be nice to eliminate the extra step of warming and foaming my milk separately.  Consider that a huge hint Valentine :).

Wanna play pretend with me? Be sure to visualize quaint European settings while eating. Here is the recipe for the puffed oven pancake that we ate this weekend:

2 TBS butter

3 eggs

1/2 C. flour

1/2 C. milk (feel free to use whole milk :)

1/4 tsp salt

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place butter in deep dish pie pan and melt in the oven.  Meanwhile beat eggs until fluffy.  Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. (I think I mixed too much, our pancake was a tad tough).  Pour batter into warmed pan and bake for 20 minutes or so.  Top with your favorite jam and powdered sugar.  And...if you are really feeling European add fresh whipped cream.  Enjoy!!