Your Photos (February)

“Good evening! These rolls were made using your Simple White Bread recipe.  I prepared four batches using the same recipe with buttermilk instead of milk in two, nonfat dry milk in the other two; three with one egg and one batch without (Oops!) for a total yield of 36 rolls. I buttered the tops while still warm from the oven.

We made them to share with residents in the 55 and older mobile home park we live in for our first “2nd Friday Soup Social” held this February.  My son suggested we do this dinner event a few months ago as a way of sharing and getting to know our neighbors. He moved here a year ago and has since realized many of the residents are well over 55 years old and don’t socialize much. We posted our invite in the monthly newsletter that is distributed to all 155 homes in our park. Everyone was invited with us knowing the usual turnout for activities is less than 12 people. We provided two homemade soups to choose from – Minestrone and Chicken Noodle – with a homemade roll.

We made enough soup for 24 thinking some might take some home to their neighbor. We provided cardboard soup containers with lids so they could transport their soup easily if they chose to take their soup home to eat or to share. Eighteen people showed up! All 18 stayed to eat their soup and socialize! Several had seconds and a few took soup to their neighbors. We also took soup to a couple of neighbors we knew were convalescing. We had a great time preparing the soups and rolls. We enjoyed socializing with neighbors we knew and met some new people, too.

We plan to repeat this event in March and April, at least. Given the thanks and the compliments we received, we anticipate needing more soup and rolls. Thank you for a delicious and simple recipe for the best rolls. After trying several recipes, your’s delivered the easiest, tastiest and most versatile rolls for our crowd. Brava!” (Feb. 23)

– Rhonda, you are a gift to your community. I’m so proud that my recipe was a part of this generous and welcoming event. Isolation is common with seniors and can lead to numerous health problems. Bringing your neighbors together is such a wonderful thing you and your son are doing. Homemade food is a gift from the heart and by simply bringing people together, you might also be saving lives. Please keep up this wonderful event and please send photos from the next one. I hope others might be inspired to follow your lead. I LOVE this!! – jenny

“Sorry this isn’t the best picture – I just took a quick one to show my husband. I made your braided cinnamon raisin bread this past weekend for my dad, who loved it! I’ve made many of your recipes – wheat bread, no-knead bread, simple pea soup, lentil soup, hot dog buns…and more.  Thanks for these great recipes. And a fun little aside – I was an intern for The Jenny Jones Show at the NBC tower during my last year of college in 1995! Fun times! 😄  (Feb. 20)

– Your bread looks delicious! We did have fun times at the JJ Show. I’m so glad you could be a part of it and that you can cook!! Thank you for the photo. – jenny

(no message – Feb. 11)

– Thank you for this darling photo. Love those roosters and really love the paczki! – jenny

“First time baking bread. Before and after last 15 min bake.” (Feb. 10)

– It looks perfect. I’m pretty sure there will soon be a second time! – jenny

“In love with your recipes.” (Feb. 9)

– Thank you for your photos. Those are some beautiful crusts! – jenny

“Custard filled!  So delicious!  Thank you for this baked and not fried Paczki!!” (Feb. 2)

– I’m so jealous! Your paczki look so delicious that I may need to make some right now! And custard is my favorite. 😋 Thank you for this lovely photo. – jenny