Bread,Books,Butterflies

Maybe it is time to go back to work......

2012-02-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

I have spent most of the past two days blogging, pinning and reading Facebook. Oh yea , and cooking up a storm.

My house now smells of toasted granola....mmmm

Bread Variations

2012-02-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today I was thinking I need to make a bread to go with the soup we are having for supper. Do I want to do Anadama no but I will use some cornmeal(1/4 c.) but I don't want to use molasses it is too heavy so let's use honey(2T) since I am almost finished with that bottle. water and salt are a must (1C &1t) flour oh how about
2C bread flour and 1C white wheat so it is a whole grain bread but won't look like one. The flour may be heavy so let's use 3T of buttermilk power and 2T of unsalted butter. Threw all of this into the bread machine programmed for dough. I love this setting as it warms and kneads and goes through 1st rise without me.

Here it is ready for the oven. I will bake this for 10 min. at 400 and then for 20 min. at 350.

Not so basic
BASIC BREAD

1C water

1t salt

1/4C cornmeal

1C white wheat flour

2C bread flour

2T butter

3T buttermilk powder

2T instant yeast

2T honey.

Then after baking.

Sliced and ready to go.

Making this a great winter supper.

FALL GRANOLA...

2011-10-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

I made my summer granola in early July before we went on vacation. I used the last scoop in my oatmeal this morning which means it was time to make fall granola. The base is the same the ad ins are a little different. I sweetened my summer granola with honey and this fall version with maple syrup.

4 cups old fashioned oatmeal

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

2tbs sesame seeds

2tbs sunflower seeds

1/2 cup coconut

mix in a large bowl

in a 2 cup measuring cup mix

2/3 cup canola oil

1/2cup maple syrup

1/4 cup apple cider

mix the wet ingredients well and then mix into the bowl of dry ingredients

mix very well so that all is coated and slightly damp.

Pour onto a large sheet pan (lined with a silicone bakers mat or nonstick foil)

Bake at 325 for about 1hour turning every 15 minutes. It is very important to keep turning the granola from the center to the edges so as not to burn the edges.

while this is cooking mix

1cup craisins

1 cup small diced dried apples

1/2 cup brown sugar

when the granola comes out of the oven sprinkle the fruit and sugar combo onto the granola before it cools

so the sugar melts and the fruit will soften a little and then cool completely before storing in a jar with a tight seal.

My house smells wonderful...........

Apple Challah

2011-10-11T08:32:00.001-07:00

This is a bread I only do in apple season when the apples are the freshest. I like to bake with the whitest of cortland apples.

Recipe

(done in my bread machine or kitchenAid mixer)

1/3 C water
1/4C apple juice or cider

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

3C bread flour

2tsp instant yeast

2tbs honey

3tbs butter
1tbs instant yeast

When dough has risen once ....

Chop 2 medium apples and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
(you do not need to peel the apples )

flatten dough into a rough rectangle and spread half of the apples on one side. fold over the edge and repeat on the other side.

you will now bake this at 350 for about 25-35 min.

of course the next thing is to wait for this to cool....

Then eat!

CATS

2011-09-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Now isn't Dexter the cutest thing you have ever seen......only when he is sleeping!

Now when he is awake.....

He chases everything and everyone.....

But mostly his brother....Duffy!

Now you know the truth. These lovelies rule the house.

From all spots tall or short.......

Starting something new

2011-08-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Priscilla loves to color and has been doing some pretty amazing geometric design books. She had been telling her hairdresser about these and when she showed them to her she said they looked a lot like the designs that another customer did in Zentangle. Well after looking up Zentangle I have spent all kinds of time doodling....

My next idea is to incorporate the Zentangle with my redwork. Let's see if that gets done!

Speaking of getting done....

My gardens are running away!

These pictures make them look good but if I backed out you would see the lack of mulch and huge weeds!

It's about time........

2011-06-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

I just can't believe it is June already and I haven't posted in over a month. Where does the time fly to?
My lovely rhododendrons that were so nice last week are fading..... The heat and then the rain has done them in. But I will have roses in a day or two and pollen everywhere! Two more weeks of school and then I have all kinds of ideas for posting. Let's see if it gets done;)

April at last!

2011-04-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

For some reason I have done very little baking. It may be my new part time job that has had me crazy scrambling for activities to do with the odd 100 kids I see each week. But if you look back to last year March is really a slow down time for baking. This weekend has certainly been the exception. I made a banana bread on Friday after only four hours sleep and a wicked morning ride to Stratham! This bread is a recipe from my new favorite baking book. Thanks to my niece Kim who gave me a copy of

Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe [Hardcover]

Joanne Chang (Author), Christie Matheson (Collaborator)http://www.amazon.com/Flour-Spectacular-Recipes-Bostons-Bakery/dp/081186944X/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301866521&sr=1-1-catcorr

I have currently only tried two recipes but have made both twice!
today just seemed right to make an apple walnut bread which just came out of the oven!

THE APRON

2011-02-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

This very snowy winter has me a little stir crazy. I cleaned out one of my bins and found this stamped apron so I started working on it. I started looking into how this all started and found information on redwork embroidery. So when I finished the apron I was off for another project.

Redwork is traditionally done on flour sack towels in dmc red 498 or 817. I like the darker 498 and I am currently working on a butterfly pattern.

BUTTERFLIES

2011-02-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

Off on a new adventure....red work embroidery. Like my vintage cookbooks I have also been interested in vintage embroidery. I learned to embroider at ten. I love intricate designs that are simple embroidery and not cross stitch. Since red work is done on muslin or more authentic flour sack towels. The use of red floss since it was the first colorfast embroidery floss. Where is this taking me, who knows but floss even at 39cents is a bargain and flour sack towels at 1.00 for a 28"by29" towel. Let's see........

FROM PANNETONE TO BREAKFAST ROLLS

2010-12-29T07:36:00.000-08:00

Where did December go? Baking didn't stop but got much busier. Last week I made 6 varieties of cookies, two loaves of bread, a dozen fruited sweet rolls, and two dozen whole wheat rolls. Maybe that is why there hasn't been any December posts! well I have a New Year's Resolution to post more and with several new cookbooks and lots of bread to try.....

Panettone

2010-11-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

Mom has really wanted me to make Panettone. I haven't made it in about five years. I think about it and then make coffeecakes for Christmas morning. That's because Mom isn't here at Christmas as she is a snowbird of sorts. Since she is helping with my pies I am making her panettone.

MY PANETTONE RECIPE

(adapted from the Hitachi bread machine book)

1cup water

1tsp salt

3cups bread flour

1 stick butter

4tablespoons sugar

3tablespoons dry milk

4 tablespoons candied fruit

1/4 cup raisins(I like golden raisins here)

1teaspoon vanilla

2tsp instant yeast (red SAF preferable)

egg wash for the tops

I mix this in my bread machine through the first rise. I then take it out and shape it into three large or 6 small loaves. To get the traditional round shape I use baking flower pots. I have these in two sizes.

Let's do a replay on the sizes..... because this is what happened to the three larger ones

These odd looking giant mushrooms tasted fine but what a mess to look at. I then decided that I must use all four of my big pots. So after a few hours I tried again!

Guess what is under the cloth? Of course.......

SUCCESS! These look more like the Pope's hats they are suppose to resemble! And still delicious...

Pies,Pies,Pies

2010-11-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

This week Mom and I will make pies.
I am not having Thanksgiving at my sister's , that will mean we will make pies for her house and for mine.

We made two pumpkin,two pecan two shells for chocolate cream. and one mince. I will make an apple pie in the morning and she will make two on Friday. Thanksgiving is all about the pies in my family.
Ask me sometime about the time I fell asleep while babysitting the dog and the pies......

Late fall

2010-11-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

Earlier I was so happy that it was Fall. This year we had a great spring and summer but fall was nice too.

That was early fall......
Then we come to those long nights and chills of late fall. that is when I think we should skip this season!

Making Mincemeat with Mom and more jars........

2010-11-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Last week I was doing wash for my Mom when I spotted her canning jars and found a few pint jars that I wanted (see Mason Jar post) This week I got a call from my Mom asking if I think we could make Mincemeat.
I said sure not really knowing what this meant since my try at mincemeat last year was with the Crockpot and

I didn't chop the meat fine enough. I knew she was thinking about her way and it has been at least ten years since she had made any even though she would deny this....
Recently I have been reading posts from young mothers cooking with their kids. Guess what it really never ends. Mom had her shoulder operated on a couple of months back so really couldn't use the old grinder(ahem the grinder is dated 1898) but she got me right into it!

First we ground the cooked beef and then about three pounds of apples.....Sticky........
then added the sugar,syrup, candied fruit, spices and let it boil and boil. Savoring the thought of Christmas tarts. I am about the only one I know who loves mincemeat.

Not a Cookbook...but

2010-11-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

THIS AINT NO COOKIN BOOK by Paula Deen I devoured this book this weekend.
I probably would not have bought this, but found it in Building 19 on Thursday and it intrigued me. Since I have been thinking about this cookbook and non cookbook cookbook post. Well it is a quick read and absolutely wonderful memoir of a fascinating woman. I laughed and cried all the way through this book. She really did turn her fears into her dreams. Earlier this summer I read a fiction book BY BREAD ALONE, a tale of one womans learning to cope with her life it is also linked to cooking specifically French sourdough bread.
Hmmm what would your book-cookbook be.....

Cookbooks and Cooking Books

2010-11-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

About a year ago I started reading some of the many mysteries and other stories that include food or recipes in their story. Yeah, about the time I started blogging and reading blogs. I'm not surprised as I have always enjoyed reading cookbooks. I got my first cookbook at the beginning of my being in 4H, or about ten years old. I was to get a cookbook each year after this. These were all the single topic Betty crocker cookbooks. Still on my shelf and very worn.......

Getting out these books again has me wanting Scalloped Potatoes even more.....

Hmm that is a recipe I have remastered millions of ways. Tonight's scalloped potatoes

Scallop Potatoes with chives

serves 4

four small or two large potatoes(PEI or Maine )

1 small onion diced

4-6 Tbs butter

1C milk (I used 2%)

2Tbs flour

salt and pepper

2Tbs dried chives

(fresh would be nice but we are not going to see those before spring:( )

Peel potatoes and slice very thin

Layer potatoes, onion, flour, seasonings

in a small casserole dish dot with butter

Pour milk over the top and bake for 30 min. at 350

first layer

MASON JARS.......

2010-11-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

These jars were salvaged from my Mom's collection. The new fancy covers sold in many dept stores add a decorative touch. I had 4 quart jars that were given to me as present many years ago. (I kinda thought it funny as I grew up with canning jars everywhere!) I had never looked at the markings on the glass and when I went to find these jars spent time trying to find four that are completely different.

Now what to put into these jars? Do you have any suggestions?

.

I love Fall

2010-10-26T09:44:00.001-07:00

As a teacher I never really focused on the things that make fall so neat. Like warm sunny days.

Puddles of leaves, everywhere.
The changing trees which will be all too soon frozen.
The fun of the light and shadows........

MOUSE SAGA or the joys of living in the country in fall

2010-10-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

About a week ago my two cats entered the living room with a prize they had recovered from the kitchen......A mouse...

Dexter had the mouse in his mouth then neatly dropped it while Duffy retrieved it.

I encouraged these guys to retreat to the kitchen with the mouse. After several failed attempts to get Duffy to drop the mouse, I successfully maneuvered the trio to the door and escorted the mouse to the porch. I figured this guy would try to get out through one of the many gaps and holes in the porch. Fast forward to Sunday and Duffy is insisting he needs to go out on the porch and that he knows something is behind the boot bin. I kind of look with him but figure the is just following the old mouse trail. Monday afternoon, Duffy comes to tell me he needs to go out on the porch now! ( if you don't own a yellow tom or a talking cat, you now think I have totally lost it) So I let him out and he again thinks there is something behind the boot bin so I decide that I will clean the boot bin. As I dust behind the bin, with one eye to the floor, I see the mouse climb up a board and scurry away. Neither cat is impressed or around as they are now entertaining a guest.

Rainy Friday

2010-10-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

After finishing my housework the best way to spend a rainy afternoon ......baking!

Still working on those apples. Will have pie and ice cream for dinner.

Soup Time and more Italian Bread!

2010-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday night supper my own vegetable soup and that ever popular Italian bread. Finally broke down and bought the bread pan from King Arthur and yes it was worth it. This bread has a much crisper crust. Love going back to cooler weather dishes. Do you have a favorite cool weather dish?

APPLE NUT BREAD

2010-10-08T11:31:00.001-07:00

A nice treat for a cooler fall day

enjoy!

Apple Nut Bread

Preheat oven to 350

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped apples

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup cider or apple juice

In mixing bowl mix dry ingredients, add egg,oil and cider until well mixed. Fold in nuts apples and raisins. Pour into large loaf pan. Bake for about 1 hour.

Fall is here!

2010-10-01T08:40:00.001-07:00

This is the first real bread since who knows when!

I am working on my last ten pounds of King Arthur

flour. A trip to Vermont is in the very near future.

Maple White Bread

1c &2Tbs. water

3c bread flour

3Tbs. buttermilk powder

1/2tsp. salt

2Tbs. butter

2Tbs maple syrup

2tsp.Instant yeast

As usual I mix this in a bread machine and then bake in oven. Mmmm.

Now to think of sandwich fillings......

Italian bread abundanza.........

2010-08-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Pizza, hamburger rolls and lots of bread for salads and sandwiches! That has been my summer.

This go to bread is unbelievable.

Simply

water 1cup

oil(olive is nice) 2 tablespoons

flour 3 cups bread flour

honey 2 tablespoons

yeast (I use instant) 2 tsp.

mix and rise and shape shape shape .............

Late summer fun

2010-08-19T07:22:00.001-07:00

Now if this isn't the life, I don't know what is! we have been using the porch since Easter more and more each day. We begin our day exploring early and wait for visitors towards the end of the day.

Spring

2010-05-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is such a busy time of year. stopping to smell the flowers or just to take another look is so necessary. This is my first spring retired and as I was told a few years back, this is the best part of being retired is getting to plan and plant on a reasonable schedule.

simple bread

2010-04-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

I thought my Italian bread was simple but this one is super simple and yet tastes great.

It has a chewy texture that changes to crisp when toasted. I really like it as toast.

In bread machine :

2c bread flour

1c whole wheat,rye or other flour

1tsp salt

1 1/4 c water

2 tsp. instant yeast

using a dough only setting mix and first rise in the machine.

shape dough and put in baking pan, allow to rise one more time

bake at 425 for 10 minutes and bring back to 350 for 20 minutes more or until done.

This bread has a short shelf life due to no stabilizing ingredients, definitely and old world style bread.

March winds, April ...Living a simpler life....

2010-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't forgotten this blog but after the March winds left me with a week without power.

I returned to a blog with a bug. I think we are through all of the messy times and now ready to settle down to spring showers and my simple life. Oh yes, that simple life I think I have been living

well let's begin with "the coffeepot."

In November my 7-8year old leaky Bunn coffeemaker no longer heated coffee on the warmer plate and then one day the switch fell out, I decided it was time to say goodby to that coffeemaker.

After pricing a new one ($100 plus) my simple goals told me to use one of the two coffee makers I had in the house. Especially since one of them was the $10 pot I had used only a few times at school. Well I used this coffeepot from Nov. until Feb. the coffee while not great, was ok. In February one of the alternative pots I had been thinking of went on sale at a discounter in the area so I spent the $20 on a $40-$50 coffeemaker. It made the same ok coffee and I was glad I hadn't spent the full price. Last Friday am with showers on the outside, slightly cool weather, I hear a click and then what sounds like rain in the kitchen. Well the broken button on the "new"

coffeepot had let go and coffee was pouring down my counter into the drawer and floor below.

That was it ! Off to Walmart for a new Bunn coffeemaker......

March Winds

2010-03-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

This early spring weather is wonderful. Raking leaves and finding crocus and tulips and daffodils.

Think I'll try some coffeecakes in the morning!

A Touch of Sweet

2010-02-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

This weeks nut bread is one of my favorite. This Date Nut gem uses very little oil as dates work as sweetener and oil substitute.

Date Nut Bread

1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup chopped dates
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups unbleached flour

½ cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 Tbs. oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Pour boiling water over dates and let stand ten minutes. Add sugar to eggs and beat. Sift dry ingredients together. Add nuts to date mixture. Stir in oil and vanilla. Mix date mixture, sugar and eggs, and dry ingredients, stirring enough to moisten. Bake in greased loaf pan at 350 degrees F. for one hour.

Wrapping a nut bread is essential to keeping it fresh for more than two days. I use good ole fashioned wax paper (parchment will also work.) this keeps the bread dry and not sticky which leads to moisture and mold. This picture shows it wrapped in wax paper and in a bag to keep air out. My breads keep for seven days.

Welcome Groundhog

2010-02-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to February. This month is to be my quick bread month. My goal is to reduce sugar and still keep texture and flavor, if the flavor is off the quick bread is really off. Unlike yeast breads quick breads rely on eggs and baking powder and other things to rise a little. Yeast is also a camouflage flavor enhancer thus most yeast breads taste good even if a little tough or deflated or over inflated.(note my last starter bread was a bomb!)

Presenting.........

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium to large bananas)
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Add the bananas, honey, and eggs, beating until smooth. Add the flour, then the walnuts, stirring until smooth. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, smoothing the top. Let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. Bake the bread for 50 minutes, then gently lay a piece of aluminum foil across the top, to prevent over-browning. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, then remove the bread from the oven; a long toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean. Allow the loaf to cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan, and cooling it completely on a rack.

Starter Breads

2010-01-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

January has been my fresh start with starters. Since I run a cool house with Temps in the 60's, I have kept a starter on the counter where I can stir it and add to it daily. When I get about two cups I make a bread using one cup and add to the second. I am on my third week of breads and there is a definite differnce in flavor and texture.

This bread was an oatmeal bread with apricots.

The "leftovers" were made into bread pudding.

Hardly a week goes by then we don't need an Italian bread. Last week I made two huge loaves with the starter. The leftover was made into bread crumbs. They have an interesting taste and will be even more interesting in my fish topping this week.

My bread this week is an orange pineapple whole wheat bread. I should have shaped it like the oatmeal bread as it exploded in the bread pan. This starter bread thing is amazing!

Paper Whites Update

2010-01-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well they are beginning to bloom. It is interesting to see which way they are pointing as it can change every few hours. Could be the snow on the skylight as we have had off and on snow showers for days!

New Year New Bread

2009-12-31T13:45:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at ciabatta. I love the crust but not sure my inside texture was fully developed.

This bread was made from a starter sponge that was 24 hours old. I will be working with starters and sponges this month.

Since I was eperimenting with the starter I used an old favorite(my Italian bread)

the starter was one cup water and one cup flour and 1/2 tsp yeast left overnight in the bread machine to this I added 1/2 c water and then all the ingredients of my Italian bread(see my first post) this made a very soft dough that I had rise once in the machine, shaped then let set 30 min. I baked it off at 450 for 10 min and 375 for twenty min.

One very bad cat!

2009-12-30T08:59:00.000-08:00

This little sweetie thinks he is so clever climbing the tree every time I sit down in my chair!

This four foot tree on the end table is his favorite climb as he winds his body round and round.

Paper Whites

2009-12-29T08:45:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do with kids in the winter is to grow paper whites.

My cat Dexter is very interested in my beginning to grow paper whites. I then had to put them on top of my cookbook bookcase. Well, I forgot they were there and found them Christmas eve

growing sideways as they were too close to the celing! They are now above the kitchen cabinets still getting taller ,......

Bye Bye December.....

2009-12-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

I think I just made my last fruited bread for December. I am already working on a starter for a rustic loaf. Making rustic bread is tough with a bread machine and an electric stove but my experiments are getting better each time! It is just a challenge I hope to master this next year. Part of the trick is being extra slow to make the bread so the starter I started today will not be bread before tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

to all of those who have watched my bread baking

more to come....

many more books too!

Merry Christmas.

December Breads

2009-12-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

This is the month of fruits and nuts.

It seems that the holiday season is decorate everything and so we do the same with breads.

this Challah bread was this weeks bread. Since I make single loaves with the bread machine you actually use very little dried fruit.

Fruited Challah

1 egg

1 cup water

3 cups bread flour

pinch of salt

2 tbs honey

2 tbs butter

2 tsp instant yeast

1/2 cup dried fruit

I start in the bread machine through the first rise,

Shape and let rise again (30-40 min.)

Apply egg wash and bake.

Again I bake this at 400 for ten minutes and 350 for twenty additional minutes.

This bread also makes great french toast!

Sunday's scones

2009-11-30T10:37:00.007-08:00

I was in the middle of making these scones on Saturday when the electricity went down due to the wind. We settled for cold cereal and cool coffee. Sunday morning had more promise and the butter hit the flour and we were off.

MY BASIC SCONE RECIPE

2C. all purpose flour

1stick of butter(cold cut into small pieces)

1tsp salt

1tsp soda

1tsp baking powder

2Tbs buttermilk powder

1egg

1/2C water(too dry? add water by spoon fulls)

Place all dry ingredients in a bowl, cut in the butter until granular mix, add any mix-ins here(these scones have a 1/4 cup chopped pecans and walnuts mixed and 1/4 cup mixed dried fruit) mix egg and 1/2 cup water add to dry mix slowly trying to incorporate most of the liguid in the dry, turn out onto floured silicone mat and knead once or twice to finish incorporating ingredients. Pat into a circle about 3/4 inch thick

I then use a pizza cutter to cut the circle into

eight sections.

I place the silicone sheet on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes.

2009-11-30T10:37:00.005-08:00

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2009-11-30T10:37:00.001-08:00

MOM'S PIES

2009-11-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

You can't beat my Mom's pies. I did help make these, as the arthritis in her shoulders and hips makes it hard for her to roll out the dough or stand very long. I did make one pie Thanksgiving morning. It is ok but I am going to stick with baking and bread making!

Thanksgiving Bread-Becky's Rolls

2009-11-25T05:18:00.000-08:00

When I started this post I was all ready to explain about these wonderful whole wheat rolls. but I didn't make them this time. The word was could you make that bread with the seeds that you made on the fourth? That was in the middle of my experimentation with my Italian bread and so for the third time this month the Italian bread was requested! This one is only different by the seeds. I use a seed blend and an egg wash to keep them attached. (on the fourth I tried olive oil...it really doesn't work)

My Thanksgiving memory

2009-11-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

As I was driving out of my driveway on Sunday I noticed these partridge berry plants on the side of the driveway. It reminded me of all the walks into the woods behind my Grampy's on Thanksgiving to find these for decorating at Christmas.

Sun and Rain books for children

2009-11-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

COME ON,RAIN! by Karen Hesse

A lovely book about playing in the summer rain. A great jumping off book for writing about rainy days. everyone has a rain or puddle story.

SUN UP, SUN DOWN by Gail Gibbons

A great introduction to non-fiction space books. this book helps answer the many questions about the sun for our youngest kids.

This bread is good!

2009-11-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

Let's hope the sun lasts longer than I expect this bread will!

Sunshine Bread

2009-11-20T08:59:00.001-08:00

It worked! That awfully rainy morning changed just as the bread came out of the oven!

Sunshine Bread is a healthy mix of anadama with apricots, orange and sunflower seeds.

Recipe:

1/4 C orange juice

3/4 C water

1/2 C cornmeal

2 3/4 C bread flour

2tsp rapid rise yeast

2Tbs butter

2Tbs molasses

pinch of salt

2Tbs sunflower seeds

2Tbs chopped dried apricots

As always I mix in my bread machine and bake in the oven.

I bake 10 minutes at 400 and then turn the oven back to 350 for another 20 minutes.

Butterfly 1

2009-11-19T04:49:00.000-08:00

The first day of slippery weather, so glad I am here and not on the road at 6 am!

Little Red Hen Bread

2009-11-16T04:51:00.000-08:00

Even though I have been making bread since I was twelve, it was my Little Red Hen unit that led me to whole grains. Whole grains are a lot easier than most cookbooks lead you to believe.

In my class we would grind grain(wheat berries) in an old blender that I found in a yard sale.

We would sift and regrind until we had a coarse whole wheat flour. I began with bread made totally of this flour! It was a little hard and small but 6 year olds will eat anything. In the last few years we made no more than two cups of flour and used only one per loaf. This recipe is a single loaf recipe, we always made two singles so that more students could help.

1C warm water

2tsp active dry yeast

1C whole wheat flour

2C white flour(need the gluten for texture )

2Tbs honey(or any sugar)

2Tbs butter or oil

I of course now make this bread in a bread machine and bake in the oven,

But this would be an easy bread for anybody to make in a stand mixer

Water should be warm tap water(not too hot or cold) dissolve yeast in water in mixing bowl.

Stir slightly add honey and oil/butter to this, stir in flour one cup at a time . You will probably need a cup or two of flour to knead into this dough. Dough should be dry and elastic. Let rise in warm place covered ( drafty- use plastic) for about an hour. Shape into loaves and bake at 375 for about 25 min.

Books

2009-11-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

What am I currently reading? Strawberry Shortcake Mystery by Joanna Fluke. I read the Peach Cobbler Mystery this summer. I have since found a couple of other authors with food themed books and will tell more at another entry.

Books for the younger set.......

I have been thinking about Walter the Baker by Eric Carle

http://www.amazon.com/Walter-Baker-Eric-Carle/dp/0689820887/ref=pd_sim_b_50

This is a bright and fun book about baking and bakers.

Since it is November I am also thinking about The Little Red Hen my favorite version is by Galdone. But I also have some non-traditional versions that I love.

Next time I will give my recipe for Little Red Hen bread!

Smell the cinnamon.......

2009-11-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

When the leaves fall and the wind blows it is time for cinnamon. Priscilla thinks cinnamon should be in every bread. My favorite thing is to swirl in a cinnamon filling to a favorite white or white with raisins bread. This weeks bread is a classic white with raisins.
Maple Buttermilk Bread
1C water
1 egg
3C bread flour
2Tbs buttermilk powder*
2Tbs butter
2Tbs maple syrup
pinch of salt
a hand full of raisins

This goes into my bread machine on mix only and stays through the first rise.
I then take the dough onto a silicone baking mat and roll it out to about a half inch thick. This is when you add the filling, I like using King Arthur Flours bakers filling but a standard cinnamon sugar mixture could be used. Roll it up tucking the ends under. Place in baking pan and let sit in a warm place for thirty minutes.
I bake this for ten minutes at 400 and then 20 to 25 minutes at 350.
*this is a conservative amount of buttermilk powder if you like the taste and want it stronger add another Tbs.

A Little Salt

2009-11-04T04:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, the recipe for this weeks bread is missing a pinch of salt. I use kosher salt in my bread.
This makes two baguettes. One was devoured on Sunday as part of our birthday supper for Paula and Duane. The second was used as sandwich roll!

Bread of the week

2009-11-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is the go to bread for most everything. It is a basic Italian style bread that I have used for pizza and even hot dog rolls!

1C. tapwater

3C. bread flour (I use King Arthur)

2Tbs. olive oel

2Tbs. honey

2Tbs instant yeast

I let the bread machine mix and knead and go thru the first rise.

I shape this bread after first rise and let rise again about 30-45 minutes.

I bake the baguettes for 10 min. at 400 and then 20 min at 350