Julie\'s Crumbs Blog

The first chapati I ever ate was made by a Kenyan friend, who later showed me how to make this simple but delicious and versatile flatbread. After doing my own research, I discovered chapati is one of those food staples that has traveled the globe, branching out long ago from India to other Asian countries, Africa and the Caribbean. It … Read More

A couple of weeks ago, I went blueberry picking at a nearby farm. I managed one gallon an hour, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the birds and popping fresh fat berries in my mouth whenever I needed an energy boost to keep going. I wish everyone had the opportunity to grow or harvest their own food, as it gives … Read More

I love weddings! After being married myself for over 30 years, I get teary eyed when I see a young couple take the plunge into happily-ever-after. And this weekend is especially meaningful for me, as I have the privilege of not only watching an amazing young lady I’ve known for years tie the knot, but I also get to create … Read More

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share an old family recipe I found in my mother’s tattered handmade cookbook, a recipe handed down to her from her mother. To be honest, I’d never tried this recipe before, but Mom’s unmistakable handwriting in red ink told me it was “Mom’s Very best” and I sure wasn’t going to argue … Read More

Who doesn’t love cupcakes? I think next to chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes are probably the one treat that most people bake, whether they consider themselves a good cook or not. They’re the perfect go-to goodie for large gatherings, school events, and of course, birthdays! And that’s where the inspiration for my latest Daytime Tri-Cities appearance came from. My sweet granddaughter, … Read More

My first memory of baking is standing in a chair next to my mother, making ‘snake’ biscuits with small pieces of dough she gave me, while she formed more traditional shapes for our family’s Saturday morning breakfast. She placed our unbaked creations on small, round cast iron griddles, well seasoned and lightly greased, and set them in our humble propane-powered … Read More

I love the Sound of Music, but why is the song, My Favorite Things, considered a Christmas song? Who knows, but I know what one of my favorite things is, and it’s also one of my family’s favorites: homemade Danish pastries on Christmas morning. Even in July, someone will say, “I can’t wait for Christmas so we can have Danish … Read More

This fall, slip into something comforting…Bread Pudding! The chilly nights have just begun and there’s no better time to make a cozy dessert for those crisp, autumn evenings. What can be simpler than bread pudding? I share two versions, both mostly taken from The Joy of Cooking. My copy is so worn, part of the cover is missing and pages … Read More

The first official day of fall is upon us and whether it feels that way where you live or not, the seasons are shifting. Apple orchards here in the southern Appalachian Mountains are filled with fruit and nothing says fall more than delicious, spicy apple treats coming out of the oven. Every year I share apple recipes, but there are … Read More

Have you ever stood in the baking aisle at the grocery store and wondered why there were so many bags of flour to choose from? Are all the bags pretty much the same, or does it really matter which one you use? I’ll let you in on a little secret all successful bakers know: using the right flour for each … Read More