Eat Well ~ Hot Cross Buns

Jake is currently studying religion in school and had been assigned to select two specific faiths for study, research and reports. Catholicism and Buddhism were his choices and he has been researching, reading and writing about them for a few weeks now. Thinking I would be of some help with his projects as I was raised Catholic, although I no longer practice, and believe in many ideals of Buddhism, I was thrilled when he shared his choices with me that first day.

Unfortunately, or fortunately I suppose because he is obviously capable of doing work on his own, I sat by the sidelines and watched him read books, discover facts and history online and produce reports.

But alas, he informed me Monday on the ride home from school, he needed to make a Catholic food to take in the next day. WHAT? Seriously? Again, raised an Italian-Irish Catholic, leaning heavily on the Italian side of food and traditions, I was stumped. What the heck is a Catholic food? Then after Mom decided to do HER homework, I realized I had been raised on many traditional Catholic foods that coincided with the church holidays and celebrations.

Discovering baked goods were on the list, Jake and I decided it would make sense to choose one of these instead of a more complicated hot dish. Looong story short, we chose hot cross buns since they are traditionally made for Good Friday, which just recently passed. They are easy to whip up, minus the rising time in between, and you end with perfectly proportioned treats for his classmates. Done!

At least that’s what I thought. Three recipes and two days later, this morning we finally have hot cross buns for his class. Last night while they were baking, they smelled exactly like I remember when I was younger and looked even better when finished (ehh-hem) if I do say so myself.

The first two recipes were just bad all over and never made it into the oven. Ree came to my rescue with her version and wow – perfect little sweet puffs of goodness all wrapped up in a bow or cross if you will. Someday I will thank her in person with a full on kiss! Yes, the other recipes were THAT bad and coming from someone who grew up in my grandmother’s kitchen, you know they must have been.

Because The Pioneer Woman has already taken the time to write out the recipe, complete with step-by-step pictures that I hadn’t the time or energy to take, I will send you over to her for the how-to. But do come back and share any cooking tidbits or personal recipe favorites you may have from your own religion or faith.

I’m always up for a kitchen challenge! (Obviously)

Live Well