Weekends are for wandering.
But don’t get lost.
I did lose a car key… but I had a spare!  I have no idea where it is.  This is not at all relevant to this wandering post.. My weekend started out strong with an attempt at homemade bread on Friday morning.  I had bookmarked Sarena’s gluten-free bread recipe when she shared it on Lindsay’s blog weeks ago.  I have a fear of making yeast bread, but I’d had bread made by Sarena before and couldn’t wait to try it for myself.
The flavor was great, but I think the chef was to blame for the too-dense texture.  Sarena’s recipe says to use a mixer.  I used my hands.  Next time I’ll try whipping the eggs first to get some air in!  Or I may crash my mom’s house to use her mixer. 😉
Friday afternoon bro-day workout (chest and biceps) in an almost-empty gym.
In my new favorite shirt. Â Tee hee.
Back to work to wrap things up and get to happy hour! Â I got to try a new spot, Ration and Dram, that I liked a lot. Â The service was great and I had a delicious glass of cab!
Side note: I’m really loving the LINECamera app for editing!
We decided to get dinner at one of my favorite spots.  Only they changed chefs and it’s not so good anymore.  I’m really sad… this was like my Cheers at one point.  At least the service is still top-notch.
It was hard not to laugh when we saw that they apparently hired Jackson Pollack‘s murderous brother to plate the food… the only other choice was to cry.
Breakfasts were really good this weekend.  I made a savory version of my cauliflower pancakes, adding cumin, garlic, and cayenne. Â
Inspired by Friday’s #strangebutgood recipe, they were topped with peach salsa.  And #yolkporn.  It worked really well.  The pancakes were maybe even better than the sweet version.
Sunday morning’s breakfast was really good too. Â When you bake a loaf of bread that isn’t quite right, the best thing to do is make French Toast! Â I make a “clean” version with just egg whites, vanilla, stevia, cinnamon, and almond milk.
My toppings were local raspberries and a protein sauce.  The sauce was just 1/2 scoop Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein, 2 tsp sugar-free syrup, 1/4 tsp butter extract, 1/4 tsp maple extract, and almond milk. ***
Overall, a marvelous weekend. Â I can’t believe this week is the 4th already!
Have you ever tried making your own yeast bread?
Does the plating of food affect how it tastes for you? Â The meal wasn’t as appetizing after the Pollack murder scene.
carrie@familyfitnessfood.com says
OMG, love the Jackson Pollack plating – that is too funny.
Love the cauliflower pancakes. Yum on runny yolks – a slice of heaven.
Laura says
It’s funnier now, a few days later. 😉
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I’m terrified of making yeast breads too. I mean, it really shouldn’t be scary but I’m afraid I’m going to mess it up. Your breakfasts sound amazing and love the idea of cauliflower pancakes. But I love your shirt even more!
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says
I haven’t made bread in a long, long time. Homemade bread is still good, even if it’s a little too dense. Must be from the love of the baker 🙂
I don’t know what that restaurant is thinking, plating the food that way! It looks so unappetizing (and as you say, scary)!
Laura says
My mom used to make it every week – it’s a dangerously delicious habit!
Khushboo says
Just seeing yeast in recipes makes me all the more unlikely to make it haha! I am sure photographing my meals has something to do with it but I’ve definitely become more appreciative of good playing presentation- pretty food almost always tastes more delicious 🙂
Laura says
Right?! It was my first yeast attempt. Beer bread is easier, but i’m determined now!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Yeast breads intimidate me too. So many steps and the rising pressure!
Laura says
The rising was the easy part! I messed up trying to mix it by hand and not whipping the eggs.
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Yes I have made my own yeast bread – but it wasn’t gluten or dairy free – I gotta checkout that loaf though! Apparently I need to come have breakfast at your house – that french toast mmm – such fabulous eats!
Laura says
Come on over any time!
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
You made bread!! 🙂 I think it looks delicious and I actually love dense bread.
And it’s been too long since I made pancakes for breakfast! Needs to happen soon.
You know I am addicted to LIne Camera because of you 🙂
Laura says
It’s actually grown on me. The recipe is a bit sweet, so it’s like a dessert bread. You know I like that. 🙂
Jennifer F says
That “platter splatter” is a hoot, what were they thinking back in the kitchen?! I think the way food looks totally plays a role in the enjoyment!
Laura says
I don’t even know… the chef brought it out and everything!
lindsay says
just beat the eggs next time! no mixer needed.. you’re good at beating up things, right? LOL!
Laura says
Ha! Egg-cellent point.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
i’ve never tried making my own yeast bread
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
haha it does kinda look like something died…
I’ve only worked with yeast a couple of times and it still intimidates me. The last loaf I made was really dense, but that might have something to do with the fact that my yeast was about 6 months expired…
Laura says
Dude. Yeast expires?! Hmmm….
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Yep, I make bread quite frequently. I kind of cheat though and let my bread machine do the hard work then when the dough is ready I’ll roll it out depending on the type of bread. And I’m thinking that splatter went awry.
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
that bread looked SO good when sarena shared it!
Laura says
You have to try it! The loaf she made for me was incredible – better than gluten bread!
RavieNomNoms says
I cannot believe it is the 4th already too! Amazing how fast time goes isn’t it? I am always amazed at how fast time goes.
I hate it when a favorite restaurant loses its Chef and then things turn for the worse. Worst ever. Sorry about that! But I hear that Atlanta is such a foodie town I am sure you will find a new fav spot 😉
Need to take a look at this bread recipe, sounds interesting!
Laura says
I had a solid list of back up “favorites.” But still… I’m sad.
You should come do to ATL for a visit sometime! 😉
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I used to make yeast bread and keep it in the freezer but I’ve gotten out of the habit. Yours looks awesome!
Tina Muir says
I made my own bread yesterday, and it was my best loaf yet, so I am very proud 🙂 I love the picture of your dinner, that does look like a murder crime scene, also like someone has been playing with ketchup! Love it! Have a wonderful week Laura!
Laura says
Can you just bring me some of that? 😉
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
We need to make bread together! French toast is always a winner though! I have laid off making bread this week and last week. Tony is cleansing again…
Laura says
You say when and I’m there! Is Tony cleansing on the 4th?!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I used to LOVE making yeast bread. I haven’t tried it GF yet….
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says
I’ve never baked my own bread but when I was younger my mom had a breadmaker. That shiz smelled amazing. Is there such a thing as a bagelmaker? I’d be all over that!
Laura says
I think that’s your million dollar idea.
Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers says
Ummm, Chef Dexter?! Haha. I hardly ever make bread. In fact, I’ve only made yeast bread a handful of times. It’s good, but it isn’t any better than the stuff I can easily buy. #lazy
Laura says
Hahaha! That’s a good one.
Deborah@confessions of a mother runner says
The way a plate looks totally affects me too! If it doesn’t visually appeal to me I don’t want it
lynda Hall says
It’s been a long time since I made Home made bread! Remember those days? But YOU can crash my kitchen any time!!!
I love the Line app too! Thanks to alli, she introduced it to me. My girls do try to keep me up on the latest and greatest! Thanks Girls!
Laura says
I remember them ALL the time. That bread was like crack. 🙂
xoxo
GiGi Eats says
GIVE ME THAT T-SHIRT right now?!?!?!?!!?!!!!!
Actually I want a T-Shirt that says, “I give no f*ucks!”
Laura says
I want that shirt too!
Heather @ FITaspire says
I made yeast bread for MMAZ at some point last year, but it’s not a common occurance. Smells so good though!!
Laura says
It’s so funny to see “@ FITaspire”! Love it. 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Wow, now that is an interesting presentation. Perhaps it would have been better suited for Halloween or maybe they were trying out a new style. Or maybe, just maybe the person responsible was day drinking. It could happen.
Laura says
It was late evening… so totally possible they were doing some very socially acceptable drinking after 5 o’clock.
Debra says
I am laughing at this post…..your shirt, JP reference, etc!!!!!!!