Eggs Benedict for Sunday breakfast at Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area bed and breakfast

Eggs Benedict for Sunday morning breakfast is extra special when you use farm fresh eggs. I am always at  the Ypsilanti Farmer's Market on Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning to get the freshest vegetables, fruits, flowers and eggs.  The taste of fresh is amazing.

For this version of Eggs Benedict, I added fresh Michigan grown asparagus that I roasted in the over first. So I put it together this way; English muffin, Canadian bacon, asparagus, poached egg and topped it with Hollandaise sauce and a garnish of fresh chives. For some people this is enough to eat, but I served this with home fried potatoes and a fresh tomato.

Here is easy Hollandaise sauce; 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature, 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice,3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, pinch of cayenne, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan until it is sizzling hot. Put egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in the jar of the blender and process on low for 15 seconds. Take the the top of the blender off and with the blender on low, very slowly add the hot butter to the egg and lemon mixture through the open top

and blend for 30 seconds, until the sauce is very thick. Use it right away. Makes about 1/2 cup, or enough for about 4 -5 eggs.

Serving up Eggs Benedict

Traveling Michigan Avenue; Ypsilanti to Brooklyn, Michigan

This is a new series of posts from my daughter Martha as she travels the area exploring the highways and byways of our area. The trips all begin at the Parish House Inn and downtown Ypsilanti and then go wherever the road takes her. She will be our in - house guide, and can assist you as you plan your  next visit to the Parish House Inn and the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti area. CLICK HERE to select your favorite room.

 

Michigan Ave  -  US 12

  EXPLORING WITH MARTHA...

       Destination: Pizza Rolls

 I have been planning to make this trip ever since I went to the Ypsilanti Farmer's market last November and tasted the pizza rolls made by the Stone Hearth Bakery in Brooklyn, Michigan. My son, Joe and I decided to take advantage of a beautiful Spring day, and so we set our GPS and were off to explore Michigan Ave going west from our home base, the Parish House Inn, in Ypsilanti. Along the way we discovered some hidden gems that looked interesting for future explorations.

Saline is a bustling community and only 20 minutes down the road. In the center of the city is the Rentschler Farm Museum, circa 1901, a large historic farm house, barn and a very large yard. We plan to visit again to go on a tour and see the events. At the main intersection of Ann Arbor and Michigan Avenue, there are several restaurants, shops and a large parking area.
 

Clinton, only 30 minutes from Ypsilanti, I saw tree lined streets with older houses, quaint shops and restaurants with the Historic Clinton Inn on the corner of the downtown. It was as though we had stepped back in time. There 's even a golf course!

The Irish Hills, 40 minutes into our trip, brought my mind back to the lake areas of Southern Maine, where we lived for 8 years, where there are small resorts with individual cabins and camp grounds. There is a recreation facilities include a miniature golf course and an Old West Town. If you can picture rolling hills, small lakes and winding roads, this is it.

Brooklyn, about 50 minutes to our destination. Brooklyn is where the Michigan International Speedway is located, and is the center of activity when NASCAR races are there. We followed our directions, turning north on M50, and  found the Stone Hearth Bakery. Pizza Rolls it seems are their THING!....but they  also make lots of other yummy treats and a wide variety of breads. After deciding on which type of bread we wanted, and how many pizza rolls to get, we walked around a bit to see some of the shops and began our journey back to the Parish House Inn. 

It was a successful trip and we had a good time exploring.  There are many more places and sights to see as well.  In the summer, there are fresh vegetable stands and ice cream shops every few miles.   Looking forward to seeing you and sharing even more tips...

Parish House Inn

Martha Cleary
Innkeeper

www.parishhouseinn.com

parishinn@aol.com

734-480-4800

April Events

First Friday Art Walk Locations

Be sure to book your room for any of these events, so you won't be disappointed.

Event Description; Are you a wine lover? Than this is the event for you...check it out!

Michigan Wine CelebrationApril 11-12, 2015
Celebrate Michigan Wine Month at the SE Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail's "Michigan Wine Celebration"!Each winery along the trail will feature an appetizer or dessert prepared by a local chef and paired with their featured wine. The price also includes one tasting glass.
Tickets for this self-driven tour with 8 delicious Food & Wine Pairings are only $30! Each ticket purchase includes tasting up to 6 additional wines at each winery.
Designated drivers eat for FREE

For ticket information  go to ; Blue Man Group Information


For information about Eastern Michigan University  graduation ; www.emich.edu/commencement/

For information about  UM graduation ; http://commencement.umich.edu/springcommencement/spring-commencement/

WELCOME TO SPRING Special offer at the Parish House Inn

Room 4

ROOM 4  at the Parish House Inn here in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area, has a new look, with freshly painted woodwork and the upper walls, new window treatments and a new bedspread.  We didn't stop there...the furniture has been re-arranged which will make it more user friendly. 

We have been busy updating all the rooms these past weeks and we hope you like the changes.  We would like your feedback, and so we have a special offer for April;

'WELCOME TO SPRING "  SPECIAL OFFER

When you stay at the Parish House Inn any Friday and Saturday weekend in April, your Saturday is half price. So take advantage of this April offer and plan  an early Spring getaway. Go to your favorite restaurants,  walk and explore the shops and enjoy the bright green leaves popping out on the trees and bushes.

Sound good?  Then just book your room online here. This is a limited time offer, so don't wait...do it today. I'll be looking for you,

Chris Mason
Innkeeper
Parish House Inn

Maple Syrup Making a "30 Minute Trip from Ypsilanti"

Maple Syrup Tours

The Parish House Inn bed and breakfast will be featuring "30 minute trips from Ypsilanti" to interesting off the beaten path locations in the coming months. All of the locations will be personally visited by us, so when you are our guest, you get the inside scoop. All you have to do is pick a date and book your room. 

This is our first featured "30 Minute Trip"....enjoy!


McLennan Gardens
10950 M-52
Manchester, MI 48158
Contact information to book a tour;
Cost is $5 per person, group pricing available
(734)428-7005
www.mclennangardens.com
mclennanmaplesyrup@gmail.com
42.159223
-84.042642

Just a short 30 minute drive from Ypsilanti, McLennan Gardens is billed as your maple syrup headquarters offering tours every Saturday in March. The tours begin at 9 AM and continue every 2 hours. You will experience the sugar shack process, handle tools and supplies, learn about tree tapping and selection and enjoy maple cookies or ice cream with maple syrup.  Activities for the whole family!
March is when the sap of the maple tree runs and maple syrup is made. It is an interesting multi-step process that has a long history in many northern states. Here in Michigan maple syrup making celebrated every weekend in March in various locations.

Chris Mason
Innkeeper
Parish House Inn
103 S. Huron Street
Ypsilanti, Mi 48197

Black History Month; Local artists exhibit at the Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Black History Month 

at The Riverside Arts Center

An Artists reception will be held Friday February 6 from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Riverside Arts Center in downtown Ypsilanti.  Local African American artists of all ages will be sharing their art, including visual,literacy and performance.  This art will be featured in the gallery through February 28,2015.

Participating Artists: Cydney Camp, Ashanti Johnson, Georgette Jones, Lauren Mills, Zakiya Newell, Byron Reed, Jainelle Robinson, Haneef Sabree, Maurice Sanders, Chadwick Smith, Natalia Sharisse, Gabriel Vunda, Marcus White, Alana Wynes

Ypsilanti has a rich African American history that began in the 1800's and continues to today. The artists among them share their work with the community in this exhibit.

The Parish House Inn is just two blocks from the Riverside Arts Center.

Chicken Salad with Green Grapes and Walnuts from the Parish House Inn

This is about love...of my brother and this chicken salad recipe ...it felt appropriate to share as we celebrate Valentine's Day with those we love.

This is a recipe from my brother Jim...he is a great cook and enjoys sharing his recipes with me.  On aobnvisit to Ypsilanti he made this chicken salad for me and I have enjoyed it ever since.  There are a lot of ingredients and each one is important, so don't leave them out.  I sometimes substitute dried cherries and toasted pecans and  the grapes and walnuts with equally delicious results.  

My Brother Jim's Famous Chicken Salad

1 ½ pounds chicken breast, shredded, not cubed

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

2 green onions, finely chopped

1/1/2 stalks celery finely chopped

1 small tart apple, peeled, cored finely chopped

½ cup walnuts, chopped

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

½ pound green grapes, sliced lengthwise

½ teaspoon white pepper

½ teaspoon sea salt

add mayonnaise to create a smooth texture

In a large bowl mix all ingredients together and adjust seasonings to taste. Serve on a bed of lettuce, garnish with additional chopped walnuts and green grapes.