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In on November 27, 2016 with No Comments

Mom’s Dinner Rolls

We stayed home this year for Thanksgiving. Our oldest son was recovering from surgery, and my parents were traveling to Kansas to have Thanksgiving dinner with my father’s sister and brothers, so I asked my family what they wanted for dinner. These rolls were the first thing they mentioned. “We have to have Grandma’s rolls” was the request. Of course it was. I hadn’t made these rolls since we lived in our old house — and that was over 18 years ago. I’ve never had to because we go to my parents for the holidays, and Mom makes the rolls. But what’s a Mom to do when her oldest son gives her those puppy dog eyes and says please??




I’ve been following a gluten-free Paleo-style diet, but I didn’t want to tweak this recipe this time. That will be for a future baking trial when I’ve got plenty of time to play with the different flour types. Mom also used this dough recipe to make delicious cinnamon rolls, and I’ll add those instructions at the end of the post. I didn’t make the prettiest rolls by any means. They’re larger than Mom’s, but again, I haven’t made these in close to 20 years, but I was pretty happy with how they tasted, and the boys were very happy with the results. The rolls definitely didn’t last long 🙂

 

moms-dinner-rolls

Mom’s Dinner Rolls

1 package dry yeast (or 2-1/4 teaspoons)

1 cup lukewarm water (115 degrees Fahrenheit)

1 cup milk, scalded

6 cups all-purpose or bread flour, divided

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg beaten

 

Mix together the yeast and the warm water. Let set until the yeast begins to proof, about 5 minutes. While the yeast is proofing, scald 1 cup of milk. Let cool to room temperature.

Combine the yeast mixture and the cooled milk in a large mixing bowl. Add 3 cups of flour to the bowl, and mix until thoroughly combined.

In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, melted butter, salt, and beaten egg. Add to the flour mixture, and mix until combined. Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour 1/2 cup at a time (you may not need the entire 3 cups), and knead with the bread hook on your mixer until it pulls away from the bowl.

Place the dough in a large greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in size. When doubled in size, punch down the dough, cover the bowl, and let the dough rise again. Form dough into dinner rolls or cinnamon rolls (instructions below), and place rolls on a greased baking sheet. Let the rolls rise again for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Bake rolls at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes depending on your oven. After removing the rolls from the oven, brush the tops of the rolls with butter while the rolls are still warm.

 

To Make Cinnamon Rolls:

Prepare dough as above. After the dough has risen the second time, roll out the dough in an oblong shape. On the dough, spread softened butter and sprinkle generously with a sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up the dough jelly-roll style, and slice into individual rolls. Place on a greased baking sheet and let rise again for 30 to 40 minutes. Bake as above. Glaze the rolls with your favorite frosting while they’re still warm.

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In , , , on November 27, 2016 with No Comments

Paleo Banana Blueberry Muffins

I’m always looking to modify favorite recipes to a more Paleo-friendly or at least gluten-free version. My kids love it when I bake, but I admit I haven’t baked as much since switching to a Paleo-type diet. I will still occasionally bake, as I did for Thanksgiving, but I either can’t partake in what I’ve made, or if I do I pay for it later with horrid GI symptoms.




I’ve save a ton of recipes on my Pinterest site, so if you’re looking for a starting place with gluten-free and/or Paleo recipes, be sure to check out the link at the end of this post. Let’s be honest. I collect recipes, and I’ve done so my entire life. Pinterest is a huge enabler for this hobby, and I love the fact that I can find gluten-free and Paleo recipes for just about anything on Pinterest. There are some talented cooks and bakers out there who have graciously shared their creations with the world, and I for one am extremely grateful for it. I found this delicious and easy recipe on the Bakerita blog, and it has tons of terrific Paleo and gluten-free recipes. Whenever I make a Paleo or gluten-free recipe, I usually don’t tell my sons that I’ve made a modified recipe until after they’ve eaten it, so when they kept going back for more of these muffins, I knew I’d found a keeper 🙂

You could make these into mini muffins, and the recipe says it will make 36, but I made regular-sized muffins and ended up with 15 yummy treats.

 

paleo-banana-blueberry-muffins

paleo-banana-blueberry-muffins-2

Paleo Banana Blueberry Muffins

 

4 ripe bananas, mashed

4 eggs

1/2 cup almond butter

4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups blueberries

 

Line a muffin tin with muffin liners, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl or mixer, combine the mashed banana, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and nut butter until thoroughly combined.

Add the coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined. Fold in the blueberries.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, and fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full.

Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes (11 to 13 minutes if making mini muffins), or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Remove from the oven, and allow muffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

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In on April 27, 2016 with No Comments

Garlic Parmesan Rolls

To get back into the baking groove, I decided to make up some rolls to accompany the meatball gnocchi casserole for dinner tonight. Since the casserole is Italian inspired, I wanted a dinner roll that would complement the flavors in the dish. I stumbled across a recipe for garlic Parmesan rolls on my Pinterest board, and this delicious recipe comes from Tastes Better From Scratch. It’s easy to pull together, and nothing smells or tastes better than freshly baked bread. Try this with your next Italian meal, and your family will definitely appreciate it!




 

garlic and parmesan rolls 2

 

garlic and parmesan rolls

Garlic Parmesan Rolls

1 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit)

1 package active dry yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon good extra-virgin olive oil

2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Garlic Parmesan Spread:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 to 3 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried parsley

Drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

 

In a bowl of your stand mixer, stir together the warm water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to proof.

Add the flour, salt and olive oil, and knead (or mix with mixer with the dough hook attachment) for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will form a ball and pull away from the dough hook. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Pour the dough out onto a floured countertop. Roll out into a large rectangle, no more than 1/2-inch thick.

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and drizzle of olive oil. Use a pastry brush to spread about half of this mixture onto the dough. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese.

Roll the dough tightly long-ways into a log (as you would for cinnamon rolls). Using a sharp knife, cut the log into pieces about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet.

Cover the rolls with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Allow the rolls to rest for about 30 minutes more.

Bake rolls in an oven that has been preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 9 minutes. At this point, remove the rolls from the oven, and spread the remaining butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Return rolls to the oven, and finish baking for approximately 5 more minutes, or until nicely golden brown.

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In , on February 18, 2016 with No Comments

Caramel Apple Braid

Cody’s girlfriend asked if she could commandeer my kitchen over Valentine’s weekend to make her caramel apple braid. Since I love homemade bread in any way, shape and form, I certainly wasn’t about to say no to such a gift. I’ve always wanted to try making a braided bread recipe, and while I didn’t actually make this one, Katrina was kind enough to share the site where she found the recipe.

The original post can be found on Completely Delicious, and the blog post shows step-by-step instructions on how to make and assemble this delicious recipe. The type of apples you use really makes or breaks this recipe, so go for ones that are full of flavor. Katrina used Granny Smith apples, and their tart flavor works perfectly with the sweet, gooey caramel. Be sure to bake this braid on some parchment paper, as the caramel will ooze out during baking. If that happens, just spoon that caramel over the top of the slices to serve – heaven forbid you waste perfectly good caramel! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did – and Katrina – you can commandeer my kitchen any time 🙂




 

apple caramel braid whole

apple caramel braid slice

For the bread:

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • ¼ cup (56 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3½ cups (420 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2¼ teaspoon (1 envelope, 7 grams) active-dry yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water), for brushing
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the filling:

  • ½ cup (105 grams) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced

To make the dough:

  1. Combine the water, milk, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When butter is completely melted, remove from heat and cool for about 5 minutes (to 120-130 degrees F).
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment (you may also use a large bowl and mix by hand with a wooden spoon), combine 1½ cups flour with the sugar, cinnamon, salt, and yeast. Add the liquids and mix until combined. Add the egg.
  3. Add the remaining flour ¼ cup (30 grams) at a time until dough clears the bowl and is still sticky to the touch without coming off on your hands. Continue kneading dough with either the dough hook or by hand until dough is smooth and elastic, about 7-10 minutes.
  4. Put dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot. Let rise until doubled, about 1-2 hours.

To make filling:

  1. While the bread is rising, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Bring to a boil and let simmer until thickened, stirring frequently, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla.
  2. Let cool to a spreadable consistency. If the caramel becomes too hard, return it to medium low heat to melt it a little before spreading it on the dough.

To prepare the braided loaf:

  1. Gently punch down dough to release gases and knead by hand a few times. Let sit for a few minutes.
  2. Roll dough out on a clean surface to about 15 x 10-inch rectangle. Transfer to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Divide dough in thirds lengthwise and cut 1-inch strips crosswise down the length of the outer thirds.
  3. Spread the cooled caramel in the center third. Top with the sliced apples. Fold the cut strips over the filling at a diagonal, alternating side to side.
  4. Brush the loaf with the egg wash. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise while oven preheats to 350 degrees F. Bake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Some of the caramel may ooze out during baking. Let cool on pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack or serving plate. Dust with powdered sugar.

 

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In , , , on January 26, 2016 with No Comments

Pumpernickel Bread and Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

On a winter’s day, I absolutely love having soup for dinner. You only have to dirty one pot, and the possibilities are endless. Pair up a steaming bowl of soup or stew with freshly baked bread, and I’m in heaven.

I love baking all types of breads, but pumpernickel has to be one of my favorites. While I do bake traditional bread recipes, I’ve found that if I use my bread machine, I make bread more often. All I have to do is dump in the ingredients and let the machine do the rest. It’s a time saver, especially when work is busy but I still want fresh bread for dinner.

I usually bake a 2-pound loaf of bread in my machine, but I’ve included the amounts for 1-pound and 1 1/2-pound machines, and I’ve also included the steps to bake the loaves in the oven. This recipe comes from Red Star Yeast, and it’s a good one.

pumpernickel bread loaf

pumpernickel sliced

Dark Pumpernickel Bread

Small (1-pound bread machine)

1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon brewed coffee (room temperature)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon dark molasses

1 1/4 cups bread flour

2/3 cup medium rye flour 

4 teaspoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 1/2 teaspoons (2/3 package) yeast

Medium (1 1/2-pound bread machine)

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brewed coffee (room temperature)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons dark molasses

2 cups bread flour

1 cup medium rye flour 

5 teaspoons cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon onion powder

2 1/4 teaspoons (one package) yeast

Large (2-pound bread machine)

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon brewed coffee (room temperature)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons dark molasses

2 2/3 cups bread flour

1 1/3 cups medium rye flour 

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon (1⅓ package) yeast

Instructions

Bread Machine Method

Have all ingredients at room temperature. Place ingredients in a pan in the order listed. Select basic or white bread cycle and medium or normal crust. Check dough consistency after 5 minutes of kneading. The dough should be in a soft, tacky ball. If it is dry and stiff, add water, 1/2 to 1 tablespoon at a time. If it is too wet and sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.

Mixer Methods

Using ingredient amounts listed for medium loaf, combine 1 cup bread flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, onion powder, and yeast. (Reserve I cup bread flour and all of the rye four.) Combine liquid ingredients and heat to 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hand-Held Mixer Method

Combine dry mixture and liquid ingredients in mixing bowl on low speed. Beat 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed. By hand, stir in rye flour and enough of the remaining bread flour to make a firm dough. Knead on floured surface 5 to 7 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Use additional bread flour if necessary.

Stand Mixer Method

Combine dry mixture and liquid ingredients in mixing bowl with paddle or beaters for 4 minutes on medium speed. Gradually add rye flour and enough of the remaining bread flour to form a firm dough. Knead with dough hook(s) 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Food Processor Method

Put dry mixture in processing bowl with steel blade. While the motor is running, add liquid ingredients. Process until mixed. Continue processing, gradually adding rye flour and enough of the remaining bread flour until dough forms a ball.

Rising, Shaping and Baking

Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until dough tests ripe, about 1 hour. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; punch down to remove air bubbles. On lightly floured surface, shape dough into a round loaf. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet or in 8-inch layer cake pan. Cover; let rise in warm place until indentation remains after touching (about 30 minutes). Bake in preheated 400 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Optional: Combine 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch; heat to boiling. Five minutes before the loaf is finished baking, remove from oven and brush top with cornstarch glaze. Sprinkle with caraway seeds, if desired. Return to oven and bake approximately five more minutes until glaze is glossy and loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan; cool before slicing.

 

Food52 copper cookware image

Shop Cookware at Food52

 

 

We love to eat at Olive Garden, and one of my oldest son’s favorite things on the menu is the Chicken and Gnocchi Soup. He’s been after me for quite a while now to try to duplicate the recipe, and I think maybe I’ve done it with this recipe. This soup comes together fast. If you have leftover roast chicken, it works perfectly in this recipe.

chicken gnocchi soup in bowl

 

Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups cream

1/2 cup celery, finely diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup carrots, finely shredded

1/2 cup onion, finely diced

1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon herbs de Provence

1 teaspoon parsley

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound potato gnocchi (either homemade or store bought)

 

If using fresh chicken, dice into bite-sized pieces. In a large stockpot, heat about 2 tablespoons good olive oil over medium heat, and add the diced chicken. Cook until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Remove cooked chicken from the pot; set aside.

 

chicken gnocchi soup - cooking chicken

 

In the same stockpot, saute the onion, celery, garlic, spinach and carrots in the olive oil until the onion is nearly translucent.

chicken gnocchi soup - cooking veggies 2

 

Add the cooked chicken, chicken broth and spices. Bring to a boil. Slowly add the gnocchi into the boiling broth. Turn down the heat, and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the cream. Slowly allow the mixture to come to a boil, and then turn off the heat. Garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

 

chicken gnocchi soup in pot 2

 

**To make a slightly thicker soup, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the cream, and mix well before adding the cream to the soup.

 

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In , on January 17, 2016 with No Comments

Mixed Berry Cream Cheese Muffins

I love making muffins for breakfast and brunch. There are so many ways to make them, both sweet and savory. I had a bunch of frozen mixed berries in my freezer, thinking I’d do something healthy for the New Year and make smoothies, but my craving for muffins got the best of me, so I decided to use some of the berries in these muffins.

I found this recipe on FiveHeartHome.com after doing a search on Pinterest. This sounded just like what I wanted to make, and since I had all the ingredients on hand, I decided to go for it. The recipe says it makes 18 muffins. I did get 18 cream cheese-filled muffins, but there was enough batter left to make an additional 6 muffins. This way my family can decide which way they like them best, although I’m always in favor of a little cream cheese filling. Pour yourself a glass of cold milk and enjoy!

berry cream cheese muffins

 

berry cream cheese muffin single

 

 

berry cream cheese muffin cut in half

Mixed Berry Cream Cheese Muffins

3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 good vanilla
2 cups mixed berries, fresh or frozen (if using frozen, don’t thaw)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners, or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Work in the softened butter with a pastry blender or fork until the butter is in tiny bits and the mixture resembles coarse sand.

Blend in the eggs, milk and vanilla until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, but do not overmix. Gently fold in the berries.

In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar until smooth and blended.

Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the berry batter in the bottom of the muffin cups, adding just enough to cover the bottom. Add about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each muffin cup. Top the cream cheese with another tablespoon of the berry batter, evenly dividing the batter between the muffin cups.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins test done with a toothpick. Remove muffins from pans, and cook on a wire rack.

Yield: Approximately 18 muffins

 

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In on December 19, 2015 with No Comments

Honey Cinnamon Cornbread Muffins

I was looking for a quick and easy muffin recipe to make a quick breakfast for the guys during deer season. I found this recipe on A Spicy Perspective. They’re quick to mix up, and they taste great. The guys said I could make these again – a surefire hit for my family.

honey cinnamon cornbread muffins

Honey Cinnamon Cornbread Muffins

1 1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup honey
1 cup buttermilk
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease muffin pans.

Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and cinnamon until well combined. Whisk in the eggs, honey and buttermilk. Add the melted butter, and mix until the mixture is smooth.

Pour batter into prepared muffin pans, filling only 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Yield: Approximately 15 muffins

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In , on October 17, 2015 with No Comments

Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup with Sour Cream, Cheese and Garlic Drop Biscuits

I love cheese soup, and although I’ve eaten a lot of it in restaurants over the years, I’ve never made it at home. I decided it was high time I did, so that’s what we had for dinner tonight along with some sour cream, cheddar cheese and garlic drop biscuits. The boys said they both were great, and I could make both again any time.

 

Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup

1/4 cup butter
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 cups milk
2 cups chicken stock
12 ounces of your favorite beer
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a large stockpot, melt the butter and add the diced onion. Cook over medium-low heat until the onions are translucent but not browned.

Add in the dry mustard and flour, and stir to combine. Cook for a few minutes to form a roux.

Add the milk, chicken stock and beer. Add the cayenne pepper, Worchestershire sauce, salt and black pepper, and stir to combine. Simmer for about 5 minutes.

Add the shredded cheddar cheese. Cook over medium heat, and stir frequently until the cheese is completely melted. Adjust salt and black pepper as needed.

 

Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese and Garlic Drop Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons frozen butter, grated
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Farhenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, salt and black pepper./ Cut in the grated butter, and combine until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add the shredded cheddar cheese, and toss to combine.

Stir in the milk and the sour cream. Stir until just combined; don’t overmix.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees Farhenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown.

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In , , on October 16, 2015 with No Comments

Chicken Pot Pie in a Crock-Pot

I was busy working away today when I looked at the clock and saw it was nearly the middle of the afternoon. And I hadn’t started anything for dinner yet. Technically I had – I got out some frozen chicken breasts in the morning to thaw, but I hadn’t decided what I was going to do with them.

So I turned to Pinterest, as I often do, for a little inspiration on what to do with this chicken. I saw a post about chicken pot pie done in the Crock-Pot, and I had my answer. Rummaging through my cupboards and freezer for the veggies, I had everything I needed to put together a quick yet tasty meal for my family. I just dumped everything in the Crock-Pot and went back to work. Easy peasy 🙂

 

 

Chicken Pot Pie in a Crock-Pot

5 to 6 frozen chicken breasts
1 can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
5 to 6 red potatoes, diced (peeled or unpeeled – your choice)
4 cups frozen peas and carrots
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
Hot biscuits (homemade, store bought or out of a can)

Layer the frozen chicken breasts in the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Add potatoes, frozen veggies, soups, seasonings and mix well.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked. Be sure to break up the chicken into bite-sized pieces after it has cooked.

Serve over hot biscuits.

_____

When I pulled up my usual biscuit recipe, I realized I was out of milk. That sent me on an online search for a no-milk biscuit recipe. I found one on Cooks.com, and they turned out great.

No-Milk Biscuits

2 cups flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons canola oil or soft shortening
3/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients together. Add additional flour to knead easily. Knead dough on a floured surface for about 30 seconds. Roll dough out to 1/2-inch thickness, and cut with a small cutter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown.

Yield: 12 biscuits

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In , , , , on April 4, 2015 with No Comments

Days of Casseroles-Day 1: Baked Spaghetti…Plus Basic Honey White Bread

I talked to Kevin about trying to do a casserole a day for a year, and I think he’s up for the challenge. I have so many different casserole recipes, both in my personal cookbooks and notebooks of recipes I’ve found over the years and from ones I’ve found on Pinterest and the Internet. I told him I’d mix it up, and not every casserole recipe will be a main dish for dinner. There will be side dishes and breakfast casseroles too. Either way, we’ll get to try a bunch of new recipes and find some new favorites along the way. 🙂

For today’s casserole recipe, I found this tasty one on Six Sisters’ Stuff….lots of great recipes on this blog!

 

 

 

Baked Spaghetti

1 16-ounce package spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 26-ounce jar meatless spaghetti sauce (I used homemade canned sauce)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, optional
2 eggs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups small-curd cottage cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt, if using. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain the spaghetti noodles. Add noodles to the egg mixture, and toss to coat.

Place half the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Top with half the cottage cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted.

I haven’t made homemade bread in a while, and since the loaf on the table was pretty low, I figured it was time. Travis likes plain white bread the best, despite my attempts to convert him to whole wheat, but this recipe is a tasty one, even if it is white bread! I did use my bread machine, but I’ve included instructions if you want to make it the traditional way 🙂 P.S. The top looks “wet” as I always rub a stick of butter over the bread right when it comes out of the bread machine or oven.

 

 

Basic Honey White Bread

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups bread flour**
2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons honey (I used local honey, unpasteurized)
1 1/4 cups warm water

If using a bread machine, add ingredients as directed by the machine manual. Select the basic/white setting, 2-pound setting. **When the bread is mixing, watch to make sure you don’t need to add more flour. I did, as the dough was really wanting to stick to the sides of the machine. Add flour by tablespoons until it pulls away from the sides and kneads as it should.

Conventional Instructions:

Add all ingredients to the bowl of a large stand mixer. Using a dough hook, mix and knead dough for 5 to 8 minutes.

Put a little olive oil in a large bowl, and add the dough, turning once to coat the dough with oil. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm place to double in size for about one hour.

Punch down the dough, and shape into a loaf. Place dough in a well-greased 9 x 5 x 4-inch loaf pan. Cover the pan, and place it in a warm place to allow the dough to double, which should take about 30 minutes.

Bake in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown in color.

Yield:  One loaf

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