Homemade Hamburger Buns & Breakfast Sandwich

The problem with shopping at Costco is that one ends up with a quantity of foodstuffs (e.g. cheddar cheese slices) that one is then compelled to create as many dishes as possible utilizing said items. This is how I found myself making burger buns. The buns did not come out as soft as I was hoping for, but that may be to my own baker error.

Easiest buttermilk biscuits

I had a craving for biscuits, ones that would be rich but also light, that would be a perfect foil to melted butter or also sweetened strawberries. This recipe, recommended by Lainey Gossip, does indeed live up to its name. The only problem is, I cannot find buttermilk in Taiwan, and instead must use soured milk. I'm sure this must affect the flavor of the final product.

King Arthur's Butter-enriched Bread Recipe

Master Nomad Foodie complained that the bread I bake is too hearty in flavor and texture, and that he prefers sweet, milky breads. So I decided to give this recipe a try.

My shaping needs work.

It was a good recipe, and was certainly delicious. However, I felt it was a lot of work to make just 16 rolls that disappeared rather quickly.

Definitely buttery.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Cranberries

Last Monday's dinner menu:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Cranberries
• Pork Burgers (adapted from this meatball recipe)
• Shredded Carrot Salad with Sesame Dressing

Now, while overall I liked the menu, the kids did not. My attempts to get them to like brussels sprouts were for naught. I thought Ree Drummond's take on the sprouts might be helpful, with all the sweetness, but I think the kids were turned off by the darkness of the balsamic vinaigrette glaze. I halved the sugar and the recipe was too sweet for my tastes.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Cranberries by Ree Drummond/The Pioneer Woman

The pork burgers were more successful, as I adapted Deb Perleman's recipe. So easy, and so yummy.

No pictures of the carrot salad (it was simply shredded carrots), but I'm quite certain my kids wouldn't eat as much salad as they do without Kewpie Sesame Dressing. It's full of umami, creamy, and not too sweet (at least the one made in Japan).