Tasty Traditions
But First, Brunch!
Everyone’s favorite mid-morning meal, brunch blends the best of sweet and savory flavors while also offering a leisurely, social occasion designed to bring friends and family together for conversation, connection, and celebration. Here, a local woman shares her favorite brunch dish – and the accompanying traditions that make it all the more special.
By Ali Lemmons
Hannah Richards with her mother, Becky
Hannah Richards’ Stanford Morning Rolls
“Tradition is the tie that bind us together even when we feel disconnected, either by distance or time.”
Normally made for Christmas or Easter brunch, Stanford morning rolls are one of the few dishes that Hannah Richards can recall her entire family making together. “For me, the smell of cinnamon and butter and the whack of the pan reminds me of holidays spent with family,” says Richards. “I’m an only child, so when we got a chance to travel out of state to see my extended family, it was a gift in and of itself.” To help carry on the holiday traditions, Richards’ mother gifted her a cookbook with over 40 hand-written family recipes. “It’s all my favorite recipes from when I was a child, mixed with recollections and family memories,” shares Richards. “It’s one of the most priceless things I own, and every time I need to look up this recipe, I see her handwriting and her jokes, and I remember all over again what it was like as a kid to have these rolls.” For Richards, making the rolls is about more than following a recipe – it’s about connecting with her family, remembering shared moments, and keeping those memories alive. “My recommendation for this dish is the same for every recipe I make – it tastes better shared with people you love,” finishes Richards. “Everything tastes better at a long table.”
