Lunch Al Fresco

There's nothing better

than eating under blue skies.

Several weeks ago I found a magazine spread depicting a mouthwatering summer lunch. It was all so deliciously set out I clipped the photo and glued it into my journal. I was going to make such a luncheon one day this summer. Soon friends were invited and a day chosen when weather would permit a picnic in the garden.

The day dawned warm and sunny with blue skies. I got up early to make my favourite recipe of hearty soda oat bread—one that's simple, delicious, and healthy. See recipe below.

Hearty Soda Oat Bread

recipe originally from an old issue of Victoria magazine

Makes a single loaf (9-inch pan)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup white or bread flour

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup steel-cut oats

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups buttermilk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats, set aside for topping

 1. Preheat to 325F. Spray pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, whisk together flours, oats, brown sugar,

baking soda, baking powder, salt.

3. In medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients;

stir until just moistened.

5. Spoon mixture into pan;

sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of oats over the top.

6. Bake about 1 hour, until an inserted

wooden pick comes out clean.

7. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Remove from pan to finish cooling on wire rack.

* * *

Here's the photo that captured my imagination,

also from an old issue of Victoria magazine:

 * * *

Below are my own trays:

my own plate - yum yum

Great friends and good food equals

good times on a blue-skied summer afternoon.

❦

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Brenda