I'm Back...

After a week on Cape Cod it sure is hard to get motivated to bake....
This week I was able to make a truly great calzone.
This is not my first attempt but definitely  my best.  So good it didn't get posted ...oh well next time!

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

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

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...

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

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

 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

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!