Even though there's just the two of us, Mama, my stoves are always in use. But usually not on a marathon like the past two days, in which I'm devoting myself to one thing---as well as preparing regular meals.

Normally I bake bread once or twice a week. Just hadn't gotten to it since our vacation, and I guess I was making up for lost time.

>I make a dried blueberry/almond biscotti that is popular<

Ummmmmmmm! I'll trade ya:

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp aking powder
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups pistachio nuts

Preheat oven to 300F.

In a large bowl mix together the oil and sugar until well blended. Mix in the vanilla and almost extracts, then beat in the eggs.

Combine flour, slat and baking powder in separate bowl. Gradually stir into egg mixture. Mix in cranberries and nuts by hand.

Divide dough in half. Form two logs, about 12 x 2 inches on a cookie sheet that has beenlined with parchment paper. Dough will be sticky (to say the least;)); wet hands with cool water to handle dough more easily.

Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven or until logs are light brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 275F.

Cut logs on diagonal into 3/4 inch thick slices. Lay on sides on parch;ment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until dry.

I'm so used to marathon cooking it's not funny. I could tell you so many stories.

Thanks for sharing your recipe. I was at a tea several weeks ago and the hostess served these - she generously shared her recipes with us all - she gave us a cute little "recipe" book of all she made. Which is something we all do when we are the hostess! (club rules!)

White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti

2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups CRANBERRY ALMOND CRUNCH Cereal
3 squares White Baking Chocolate, chopped
4 squares Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

PREHEAT oven to 325°. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in cereal and white chocolate. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into 14x2-inch log with lightly floured hands; place on greased baking sheet.

BAKE 30 min. or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheet. Place on cutting board; cool 5 min. Using a serrated knife, diagonally cut each log into 12 slices; place upright on baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Bake an additional 15 to 18 min. or until slightly dried. Remove from baking sheet. Cool on wire racks.

DIP in or drizzle with melted chocolate. Let stand until set. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

The only time I marathon cook is for holidays or family get togethers.
The last time I made biscotti was Christmas. That sounds really good though I may have to make a batch in the next day or so.

With it just being the two of us and one half of us being a vegetable hating carnivore it limits cooking options. I love big pots of soup and crusty bread. Mr Picky doesnt. I usually keep a roasted chicken in the fridge for him or some sort of cooked beef. Last night I smoked 5 chicken legs and 5 thighs. He will munch those for a couple of days lol. He has zero patience waiting on anything to get done so I usually have the protein cooked ahead of time or atleast I try to. Its like for breakfast I always bake the bacon the night before so I can get breakfast together that much faster. I dont mind cooking it ahead of time if it is something that reheats well.

You make him sound so Neanderthal!

I could just picture him banging his club on the dirt floor of your cave grumbling as loud as can be for his MEAT! And when it's not ready he is dragging you around the house by your hair - straight to the open fire on the kitchen area floor with fresh slaughtered brontosaurus meat waiting to be tended to!

All the while he is grunting and groaning - until the brontosaurus burgers are placed in front of him. Such an aroma of delicious chow! Calms the beast...........until the next time!

LOL