Monday, August 19, 2013

Happy New Year

Easy oatmeal bread
1/2 cup old fashioned oats processed*
3cups bread flour
1 cup water
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
2Tbs butter
2 Tbs milk powder**
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 tsp instant yeast

Blend together water, egg and salt.  Add flour, oats, sugar, butter, milk powder and yeast. Mix very well ten minutes is not too long.  In greased bowl let dough rise until doubled.  Shape into one loaf and let rise again( approx 30 min.) bake at 400 degrees for 10 min. And reduce to 350 for 20 minutes or until top is very brown and hollow sounding when tapped.

*using blender or food processer process oats until smooth like flour

**I use buttermilk powder but any dry milk works well.

Syrup or Jam?

The new peaches were so exciting that I undercooked the first batch and kept on processing. Well this has led to a whole new product for me to incorporate into my fall cooking...Peach Syrup!
Stay tuned for new recipes to come it is lovely on ice cream we have tried that.
     How to tell jam from syrup?  Just tilt...
The air gap moves with the looser syrup. Oh we'll let's see what new ideas I can do.
Stay tuned!


Peach Season

These wonderful peaches were the inspiration for a weekend of canning and freezing!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

 
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY
 
Nothing like a fresh soda bread and this one is a compilation of ones I have made before and one from a new cookbook.  I have become enamored with this southern baking book,
The BACK IN THE DAY BACKERY COOKBOOK by Cheryl and Griffith Day.
This was a Christmas present from my nieces and great baking book.  The golden muffins and lavender cookies, etc.  I have to control myself but this book has wonderful things to try.
 
Irish Soda Bread
11/2 c all purpose flour
11/2 c of whole wheat flour
1/2 c buttermilk powder
2T sugar
2T rolled oats
1t baking soda
1t salt
1c raisins
11/2 c water with 2T sour cream*
Mix all dry ingredients  in large bowl
Add wet ingredients in threes until well mixed
Pour onto silicone mat and knead gentley until raisins are mixed.
Shape into traditional round and mark with the cross
Bake for 40 min at 375
 
* when using dry buttermilk powder for cultured buttermilk I put powder in with my flour or dry ingredients but add a little sour cream to my water for acidity and this helps with the rise. 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Time to bake

It seems like a long time since I have posted. I try to bake at least once a week but it doesn't always get posted.  February has come and gone with such treats as cranberry,orange heart scones. I love my new heart cutters from Crate and Barrel.  I tried making peanut butter cookies with m&m's.  Will definitely try again with a softer recipe. Things on the horizon....brownie bowls....Easter cupcakes...
Banana bread?  Get up and BAKE!