“Bread, Butter and Sugar” for the late night firing crew

Bread, Butter and Sugar

Tonight, November 18, 2011,  it will be simply “Bread, Butter & Sugar” to fortify the late night firing crew, for although I am the ace purveyor of their food, and always have something homemade ready - as inexcusable as it is - I just need to employ some shortcuts on what I send out to them tonight.

Their supper was locally grown London Broil which had stewed gently all afternoon, dissolving into a soft medley of sweet potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, red wine and a fistful of pickings from our backyard herb garden of rosemary, sage, bay, and friends. There were also collards sautéed with more garlic, and Joan’s fresh-baked sour dough bread from today’s Farmer’s Market.

But now they need that late night snack.  When you are on the midnight to 6am shift, stoking a wood kiln, you need sustenance.

“Bread, Butter, and Sugar.”  The truly Wonder snack. Was anyone else raised on this after-school staple? The bread back then was, of course - Wonder Bread, white as the driven snow. Even my mother, who took great pride in being a Bellevue nurse (the toughest hospital in NYC in the early 1940’s to spend your residency in, and who was a stickler for good nutrition,) had still fallen for the hype of Wonder Bread.  When five hungry kids hit the kitchen table after school with numerous friends in tow, “Bread Butter and Sugar” was her fast, almost instant, energy laden snack.  We loved it. I can make them in my sleep.

Joan’s sourdough bread, made from Lindley Mill flour and local butter, was warm when I picked it up at the Pittsboro Farmer’s Market on Thursday.  Tonight I lathered it with more Maple View Dairy butter and generously sprinkled organic sugar on top.

How many years have gone by since I sank my teeth into this culinary masterpiece? As I took my first bite, the memory of that taste slammed me back to happy days in my childhood home. Back to memories of times at our kitchen table, and of my mother’s smile, and then of her laugh, which matters most.

Wow.  I have to admit, that is delicious. 

Maybe it’s ok to step back in time once in a while.  And bring back a childhood favorite, and a simple treat from another era.

Bread, butter, and sugar.  I suspect it will not be years before I enjoy this simple snack again…

Epilogue: After careful consideration I have decided to order a few more loaves of Joan's bread and set up a make-your-own “Bread, Butter, and Sugar” station in the workshop on Saturday and Sunday afternoon so you can try this treat for yourself!

That's after we've finished off the the homemade pumpkin muffins Saturday am!