Four Small Nine-Patches

Breakfast at our house used to have a lot more variety than it does now. Pancakes, waffles, toast with jam, hot buttered scones, muffins and coffee cake aren’t impossible on a low gluten diet, but they’re rarely worth the effort. Most of the time my daughter and I have eggs; they’re fast and easy. We could have oatmeal, of course. But Heather always calls that “gruel.” She says it’s what Oliver Twist had, and that he was crazy for wanting more. So we have omelets, or poached eggs, or fried or scrambled or shirred. We usually have a little juice or fresh fruit on the side. The best part of the meal is a hot beverage: herbal tea or spiced cider or hot cocoa with whipped cream. Hot drinks won’t be hurried. They force you to wait until they’re cool enough to sip – to inhale the rich fragrance and to just enjoy the moment.