Recap of the Holidays: Sample Foods from my Family

*Featured Link: Native Offerings Farm, Western New York

This past year's winter festivities was abundant with delicious foodstuffs. I took some time with family and friends from the great lakes region and enjoyed many lovely home-cooked dishes and desserts.

A fun, recurrent source of inspiration is the food my parents make. Here are some of the warming breakfast and brunch concepts my mother served.

Warm Polenta with Fresh Blueberries, Toasted Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, and Rice Milk

Warm polenta with blueberries, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds by Karen Caya

Soy Sausage, Scallion, and Monteray Frittata

Soy sausage, scallion, and monteray frittata made with free range brown eggs and herbs by Karen Caya

Crispy Buckwheat Pancakes with Sweet & Savory Toppings

...with whole milk organic yogurt and (real) maple syrup [and grapefruit juice]:

Pancakes with whole milk organic yogurt and (real) maple syrup by Karen Caya

...with cumin zucchini, yellow onion, and whole milk organic plain yogurt:

Pancakes with cumin zucchini, onion, and whole milk plain yogurt by Karen Caya

 

...at the end of the plate.

My brother and sister-in-law created some beautiful and vibrant food as well; here are some samples.

Spinach and red pepper whole wheat quiche, raw kale salad with onion and pecans, and a friend's mixed grain cashew and cranberry salad

Kale salad and Quiche produce grown from Native Offerings * farm

And earlier on in the season:

 Fresh Greens Salad, Sauteed Mushrooms, Squash and Olives

...organic greens and gourds from Native Offerings Farm*

There were many other lovely treats, but of course I didn't have my camera with me most of the time. I was eating!