Hi. I’m Isabel, I cook and scribble. I make a lot of food and do a lot of writing, and Bread & Courage is what I have to show for it. It started as a simple food blog called TASTE but evolved into something more—a place where I express my love of food, community and the environment. Thanks for spending some time here—and be in touch!
My friends Molly and Phil have a faux-Thanksgiving every year at their home here in Houston. About a dozen of us gather for this potluck affair the weekend before that wonderful Thursday, and each of us brings a dish or two, perhaps more than that, depending on how inspired we feel. I don’t host on [...]
About midway through my last post and this one, I grew up a little bit. I grew up a lot, actually, more than I ever have in a single day. Who would have thought that putting on a dress, taking a short walk, and eating a piece of cake could be so significant? It seems [...]
Oh, melancholy mealtime. Inevitably, one moment of every eating experience makes me sad, and it' s called THE END. I never want to stop. I spend the hours from sleep to waking dreaming about getting my teeth into breakfast. I prepare it with glee—even if it' s just a slice of toast and a cup [...]
Nothing makes my heart ache like fall. It is the most beautiful time of year if only because the passage of time becomes so suddenly apparent and so seemingly spurred. The cool weather makes my blood rush a bit, but before I know it the afternoon light takes that tell tale gold hue and evening [...]
These super-healthy muffins are made with apple sauce, dried currants and pine nuts, though you could fill the batter with whatever dried fruit and nut combo suits your fancy. Instead of using sugar to sweeten up the batter, I opted for unsweetened applesauce. I made these with Spelt flour, though wheat flour would do just [...]
I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease… observing a thread of grated ginger in my bread.
Every bite I take of this loaf makes my taste buds jump for joy. This gingerbread is dense, spicy and has chunks of crystallized ginger that feel like angels dancing on my tongue. The apple [...]
