Sometimes it is hard to start a Monday. Other weeks I can wake up raring to go. But sometimes it is just hard. Choosing the right direction in life isn't always about the compass. It's about passion and love and common sense. And learning how to stand on your own two feet. It's the common sense that makes our choices so tough. Some days common sense just slides right on by, but our direction takes us straight down the path of unknown.
Robert Frost chose his road "because it was glassy and wanted wear". He "took the one less travelled by and that has made all the difference." I'm still waiting to find the difference and wonder if sometimes the road is already chosen without my realizing it. Soon I may be sauntering down it without thought. I'm on the journey but perhaps not with it. Sometimes I find myself plodding ahead with no gusto. The gusto is gone and I'm left with questions that should have had answers long ago. Avoiding answering them takes me further down the path to parts unknown. Other times I run. I don't enjoy the view. I'm just anxious to finish. But life is never finished until we are in the ground or have given up. The best time on the road is when I can't wait to explore and find something new, something exciting, something mesmerizing, something that makes me want to start life all over again. Yes, it is that good. No cautious walking on this road, just energy and life and exhilaration at all that can lie ahead. I want that road. Yes, I do.
Often our choices find us soul searching for the right path, but still marching bravely forward to the point of no return. But when does one know it to be the point of no return? Maybe the point is never succeeding at what the world views success to be, but yet never giving up. And I wonder isn't not giving up, succeeding? Perservering, never losing sight of what the goal might be, despite pressure from everyone, everywhere, that you are losing, you are a loser; but somehow you just can't quit. It's your way or the highway, baby and why can't others just see what you see? Is that stupidity or just the righteous vision of what is going on in your head? And why is it so hard to come up with the right answer that everyone else already seems to know? The answer that would make everyone happy, but probably not you. No. Not you. Is life so simple?
Is it because you are on the wrong road or the right road, or maybe you just aren't ready to get off the damn road? You've gone to far and there is no turning back? Often, we are so busy on the road, we can't see the forest through the trees. Other times we see the trees and not the forest and no, this isn't a college philosophy essay. But it is late at night and I can't sleep. I guess I'm to busy pondering what is right and what is wrong. I thought by the age of 55 that I'd have figured it out, but my brain seems to be on overtime. Or life does. At least mine is. And here I am. And that beats the alternative.
And it's late. The dogs are quiet, the house is quiet, the rabbit catcher is talking in his sleep and I am here in the dimmed lights, in front of this bright screen pondering who knows what. And the swamp cooler that couldn't keep me cool in the bedroom is making me cold in the den. And I am thinking that this is a food blog and there is a point here somewhere and the point is that Monday would be, could be, really good if this was waiting for me hot out of the oven to start my week. Something gentle, something soothing, to start the beginning of what I hope will be a good week.
Strawberry Spiral Biscuit Pie
Biscuit Dough (your favorite recipe or you can use this)
2 c unbleached flour
1 T baking powder
½ t salt
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch dice
¾ c cold milk
1 T melted butter
⅔ c strawberry jam (I used my black pepper jam)
4 ½ c strawberries, washed and hulled, cut into halves or quarters if very big
1 T cornstarch
½ t cinnamon
⅓ to ½ c sugar, depending on the sweetness of the berries
Preheat oven to 450.
Pour flour, baking powder and and salt into bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Drizzle the milk over and stir until it is incorporated into the flour. Gather dough into a ball and knead once or twice on floured board. Gently pat the dough into rectangle about 10 by 18 inches.
Brush the dough lightly with melted butter. Spread jam over the rectangle, leaving a ½ inch border. Starting at the long side, roll up the dough jelly roll style and pinch the seam closed. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into four pieces and then cut those pieces into three pieces so you have 12 biscuits.
Mix strawberries with sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Spoon filling into 9 inch glass dish. Place 8 biscuits around the perimeter of the dish and 4 in the center. Don't push the biscuits into the strawberries.
Bake the pie for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Lower the oven temperature to 350, loosely cover the pie with foil and bake 15 minutes longer. Cool for 30 minutes on rack before serving.
This pie is also great for dessert with ice cream. Or not. And feel free to use your favorite fruit and jam. This is a comfort dish as I say; one that soothes the soul. And even if you don't need soothing, it still tastes damn good!
Check out these other morning treats:
German Apple Pancake
Belgian Liege Waffles
Blueberry Nut Bread
Chocolate Krantz Cake or Babka
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
How brilliant that you started with fresh strawberries! Lovely recipe Abbe, and one that would surely put a smile on many faces. Now, about those insightful paragraphs, I think the pondering never ends. It drives me nuts sometimes. Have a great week!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Save time and steps, Paula! And the freshness of the strawberries tastes so good. Pondering life=you are right. Never ends!
Laura Dembowski says
This looks like a really great and simple dessert that will just let the strawberries shine through. I think everyone has questions about life and when it's late at night and dark and you're trying to sleep - that's when they always make themselves known, unfortunately.
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are so right Laura. The strawberries do shine. And you are right about the questions of the night.
Biz says
Abbe - here is the link to my grilled cherry salsa - I've had a couple dozen or more blog readers and family members make this and it always gets rave reviews!
http://mybizzykitchen.com/2011/06/27/tony-cakes-grilled-cherry-salsa-jersey-mikes-and-a-winner/
Abbe Odenwalder says
Sounds great, Biz!
Angie Schneider says
This looks heavenly! I bring some ice cream over :-))
Abbe Odenwalder says
Sounds good, Angie!
Abbe Odenwalder says
It's a good one Amy and I definitely side with passion!
Amy says
Great post. I agree, sometimes Mondays are just hard. Sometimes when following common sense doesn't work, I follow my heart. And quite often, I believe that's a better path for me when I follow my heart and my passion. 🙂 Your Strawberry Spiral Biscuit Pie looks wonderful and perfect for the strawberry season. Can't wait to try.
Kitchen Riffs says
Great looking pie! I'm loving all the berries and stone fruit I'm seeing in the stores, and this is a nice change. About that life thing? Big thing, IMO, is not to let it happen to you - you've got to direct. Even when you don't know where you're going (most of us don't), select a path and start down it. If it's wrong, you'll know soon enough and can always change. Failure isn't a problem; it's accepting failure and living with it that is. Anyway, super recipe and really thoughtful read. Thanks.
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are so right John. I have to direct more and quickly! And I think change needs to be made soon. It is harder to live in limbo land. Living with failure is tough unless you learn from it and then it is time to set it aside and move on! Mrs. KR found a good one! Yes, it is a good recipe... Thanks for the kind words.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Wow Abbe - how did you get in my head today? I hate my job. Sorry didn't mind to whine on your blog 🙁 The road less traveled? I joke with my husband that I never even get on the freeway - so I need a new road. And I also need some of these beautiful biscuit pie. So yummy and you know I love pie!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Whine way, Tricia! Sometimes we all need to get it out! I don't get on the freeway either, but that doesn't bother me. I do want the road trip though! I used to love road trips. And at least you joke about it. What's a girl to do?
Biz says
I've never seen anything like it - I've already deemed it insulin worthy!
Loved reading this post Abbe! 😀
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks so much Biz. You just ignore this recipe. You can read it, but not cook it. I don't want to be interfering with that great progress of yours!
Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says
I am sure this is going to taste awesome with ice cream. The biscuit pie is so fresh-looking and gorgeous. I am greedily looking at the pictures right now!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Purabi, thank you! It is luscious and comforting at the same time!