Enforced Revision of Our Iced Tea Recipe

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summary: there can never be enough mint growing in the garden; how to beat the heat: iced tea with mint and orange juice; iced tea recipe revised because frozen concentrate no longer available;

I’m SO happy that summer has arrived. And with it, we have mint galore growing in the garden. This is just a hint of what is there.

mint

Back in January, when it was cold cold cold, I confess that the idea of sitting on the porch, sipping our family recipe of iced tea with orange and mint was the furthest thing from my mind. I paid zero attention to the following news item from CBC. (continue reading )

Wild Alteration of Solskinnsboller (BBB June 2026)

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BBB: Let's Keep Baking summary: Recipe for Solskinnsboller turned into Citronboller; lemon butter instead of vanilla custard; adding wild yeast to commercial yeast; butter and sugar galore; information about Bread Baking Babes;

Bread Baking Babes June 2026: Solskinnsboller (Norwegian Sun Buns)

Spring has sprung! The chives have flowered; sage, thyme, and oregano managed to survive over the winter; the romano beans I planted have sprouted; the Swiss chard seedlings have adjusted to their new outdoor space; the clematis is flowering; and cardinals, robins, chickadees, woodpeckers, and flickers are calling and calling and calling happily.

This really is the best season. There is so much promise.

This month, thinking about the upcoming longest day, Karen K chose Solskinnsboller (Norwegian Sun Buns – or literally “sunshine buns”) for us to make.

BBB June 2026

These Norwegian sun buns, so named for their sunny yellow custard centers, wrap the greatest hits of Scandinavian baking into one treat: They’re swirled with cinnamon, like kanelbolle (cinnamon rolls); they’re topped with a sweet vanilla custard, like skolebrød (school buns); and, of course, they’re scented with cardamom, a beloved spice across the region.
 
King Arthur Baking, Sun Buns (Solskinnsboller)
In parts of northern Norway, to mark the return of the sun after the dark time (mørkentiden) these solboller or “sun buns,” also known as solskinsbollerr, or “sunshine buns,’ are often enjoyed. Egg custard with its yellow hue sits front and center surrounded by sweet dough as a palpable symbol of the sun. Some variations sit the custard atop a plain bun, while others, including mine, place it on a cinnamon bun. It’s a very sweet way of welcoming in the lighter days.
 
-Nevada Berg, Norwegian Baking | Through the Seasons (Prestel Publishing, 2023), Winter Light, ‘Sun Buns’, p.15

J’adore cardamom!!
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Semi-Wild Honey Millet/Corn Bread (BBB April 2026)

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BBB: Let's Keep Baking summary: Semi-Wild Honey Millet/Corn Bread; better late than never; definition of corn; caving in (again/still) by adding commercial yeast; information about Bread Baking Babes;

Bread Baking Babes April 2026: Yeasted Honey Cornbread

I have good news and not-so-good news.
 
Here’s the good news! It appears that all that massive amount of snow that fell in January/February/March is gone. The forsythia is in bloom at last and the store-bought potted daffodil that I stuck in the garden several years ago has four flower buds on it! […] plan ahead Here’s the not-so-good news! I have failed entirely with scheduling. I blame Revenue Canada and its use of increasingly difficult incomprehensible tax forms.
 
– me, blog from OUR kitchen | How Not to Plan Ahead

Ha. Late. Again.

So what else is new?

But I have more good news! a.) I’ve finished fighting with tax forms! (I think) and b.) I made the BBBabes’ April 2026 bread!

BBB April 2026
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How Not to Plan Ahead

summary: Great sandwich bread; failure to plan ahead; I will be late (AGAIN) with April’s BBB bread; information about Bread Baking Babes;

Bread Baking Babes (BBB): Honey Corn (or is it millet??) Bread

Sandwich Bread
ingredients: whole wheat and all-purpose flours, wheat germ, wheat berries, yeast (wild and commercial), water, yoghurt, olive oil, sea salt, sesame seeds

I have good news and not-so-good news.

Here’s the good news! It appears that all that massive amount of snow that fell in January/February/March is gone. The forsythia is in bloom at last and the store-bought potted daffodil that I stuck in the garden several years ago has four flower buds on it! And. Our standard sandwich bread is more and more delicious.
plan ahead
Here’s the not-so-good news: I have failed entirely with scheduling. I blame Revenue Canada and its use of increasingly difficult incomprehensible tax forms.

(continue reading )

Wild-ish Lemon Rosemary Pain de Campagne (BBB February 2026)

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BBB: Let's Keep Baking summary: Wild-ish Lemon Rosemary Pain de Campagne based on Kathleen Weber’s recipe in her book “Della Fattoria Bread”; BBBabes celebrate 18(!!!) years; silences don’t mean we’re not eating; firm starter vs regular starter; caving in (again/still) by adding commercial yeast; information about Bread Baking Babes;

Bread Baking Babes (BBB) 18th anniversary: bread inspired by Della Fattoria Lemon Rosemary Bread

BBB February 2026

When I saw the photo of this bread and read the headnote, I knew I would have to make it even though it would mean waking up my sleeping beauty starter which I have been feeding faithfully since its creation over 12 years ago but, in recent years, only using to supplement commercial yeast in my breads.
 
– Rose Levy Beranbaum, Real Baking with Rose | Della Fattoria’s Signature Bread

I’m baaaack! I don’t know why I have stopped blogging regularly.

Actually, I do. I’m lazy. But don’t worry, we’re still eating like royalty.

For February, (the BBBabes’ 178th anniversary!) Tanna chose a recipe from Kathleen Weber’s wonderful book “Della Fattoria Bread”. It’s perfect for these wintery, snowy days.

These wintery, snowy days that seemingly refuse to end.

Toronto 25 January 2026
Sunday night, 25 January 2026
Snow galore in Toronto on 26 January 2026
Monday morning, 26 January 2026
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