Whole Wheat Roasted Garlic and Potato Bread

Delicious. 

Crusty. 

Flavorful. 

Hearty. 

Healthy.

This bread is good.

Wanna make some?

Ingredients:

1 head of garlic (roasted)

6 1/2 c. wheat flour

1/4 c. ground flaxseed

1 tsp of mixed herbs (equal parts rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram)

1 1/2 Tbsp yeast (or 2 packets)

1 Tbsp salt

1/4 c. vital wheat gluten

1 large raw unpeeled potato, cut into small 1/4" cubes

3 1/2 c. warm water

To Roast Garlic:

Wrap it in foil and bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees.  Allow it to cool, cut off the top of the head and squeeze out the garlic. 

For Bread Dough:

Mix together flour, herbs, flaxseed, yeast salt and wheat gluten. Add the potato, water and garlic. Mix well.  Cover and let it rise about 2 hours. 

You can use it immediately or refrigerate for up to 10 days in a lidded (not air-tight container)

To Bake:

Dust the surface with flour and cut off 1/2 to 1/3 of the dough.  Dust it with more flour and quickly mold into an oval shape. Let it rest another 30-40 minutes.  

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. While preheating, put a baking stone on to heat up with the oven. Also place a small metal pan on the bottom rack. Let both of these heat up in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Just before baking, brush the top of the loaf with water.  Slash the top of the loaf with a few slits with a bread knife. Slide the bread dough onto the preheated stone.  Pour 1 c. of hot water onto the other pan on the bottom rack. Close the door quickly and bake 30-35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and firm. 

EASY Homemade Brownie Mixes

I tried something new and love it. 

I really like store-bought brownie mixes. I have made lots of homemade brownies before and I like them, too. But there is something special about those boxed ones that I just can't describe.  I decided to make my own brownie mixes and it worked GREAT! I haven't bought brownie mixes for a while now because these ones are really just as good! Plus, they are cheap and easy to throw together.


The first time I made the brownies my son said: "Mom these taste like real brownies!"  This really made me laugh that he thinks "real brownies" can only come from a box mix. But, I was happy to score a point for having them taste like the box mix brownies he is used to!

Here is what you need to make the mixes:

1 1/4 c. flour

2/3 c. cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

2 c. sugar

Mix all of these together and store in a Ziploc bag or other airtight container.  

To prepare the brownies add:

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. melted butter

Mix and pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. 

Quick Vanilla- Almond Granola

Finally. 

I have been trying to find a good granola recipe for years. I had all but given up, but decided to try one more time. This one is THE WINNER! I am in love. 

I have had to make it a few times because my family keeps eating all of it. Good thing it's easy to make.

Ingredients:

4 cups of oats

1 cup of sliced almonds

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. of salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c. ground flax seed

1/3 c. vegetable or coconut oil

1/4 c. honey

2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with oil. I use coconut oil in my recipe & it tastes SO good! Plus, it's much better for you. In a large bowl, mix oats, flax, almonds, salt ans cinnamon. In a small pot combine the oil, sugar and honey. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add in vanilla. Mix into the oat mixture. Pour onto the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes. Do not stir during cooking if you want it to be in big chunks. Remove from oven and cool about 5 minutes- then stir it. Cool completely and cool in an air-tight container. 

This granola is wonderful with yogurt and fruit, or just with milk... however you like it. 

Ultimate Blog Party 2013

Hey there! Thanks for coming by! I am taking part in the Ultimate Blog Party this year.

A little about me...


I started this blog to share family recipes because I was tired of everyone calling me to get them! My family loves food. I grew up with a mom who made everything from scratch. I got a degree in college in Home Economics Education & taught high school foods classes for a few years until I had my kids. My grandma went to culinary school & passed along her amazing recipes. I LOVE cooking & experimenting with food. I love dessert, but also really love healthy fresh foods.

I write 2 different blogs- this one and Teach Beside Me- a Homeschool focused blog. Yup... I homeschool my 3 kids & love it!


Some of my more popular recipes are listed along the side of my blog. I hope you will take a few minutes to explore and find some more good food to eat. Follow along- I always love new friends!

Mango Chicken Salad Wraps

These wraps are so delicious and so very healthy, too!  

It makes a great fresh lunch or a nice light dinner.  

Mango Chicken Salad Wraps

2 small ripe mangos, peeled & diced

1 c. plain Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 c. precooked & diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper

1 c. shredded romaine lettuce

1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

4 large tortillas

Sauce:

Place yogurt, 1 mango and cumin in a blender & puree until smooth- add a little water if necessary.

Salad Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk garlic, salt, lime juice and olive oil. This will be for the salad dressing.

Place the chicken and lettuce in a large bowl and add the dressing, cilantro, and diced mango. Place about 1/2-3/4 c. onto a tortilla and spread 1 Tbsp of the mango sauce over the top. Wrap up and serve with extra mango sauce for dipping.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

OK, I know this sounds weird, but trust me on this one. Really. It is SO good!  

And... it is REALLY easy to make. 

Here is what you need:

4 oz. Saltine Crackers

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

2 c. chocolate chips

Optional chopped nuts for a topping

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with foil, then lay the crackers out in a single layer.  In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Bring it to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Pour evenly over the crackers. 

Bake for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Let them melt, then spread them. 

Top with chopped nuts if you like them. Cool in the refrigerator (if you want to eat them sooner. . .).

Break apart to eat.

Irish Beef Stew

A delicious, hearty meal, in honor of St. Patrick's Day!

I have Irish ancestors, so that must be why I love this stew. . .

Last year at Zupas they were having a tour of soups spotlighting different soups from around the world. My husband fell in love with the Irish Beef Stew.  We were watching eagerly for it to come back this St. Patrick's Day & were happy to see it on the menu last week!  Well, I decided to make one of my own.  I isn't the same, at all, but it certainly was divine! Typically this stew is made with beer, but I don't like to cook with alcohol & never have it around the house.  So this is my alcohol free version.

Irish Beef Stew

1-2 Tbsp. oilve oil

1/4 c.  flour

2 lbs beef stew meat

6 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups beef stock

2 c. water

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. sage

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp. black pepper

3 lbs potatoes chopped

3-5 celery stalks, diced

1 onion, diced

2 cups chopped carrots

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1 c. frozen peas

Combine the olive oil, meat, onions, and garlic and cook until meat is browned.  Add in all the remaining ingredients (except the flour).  Bring to a boil and simmer until meat and vegetables are tender- about an hour to an hour and a half. About 10 minutes before serving, remove some of the broth- about 1 c. and stir the flour into it. Mix it back into the soup and allow it to cook until thickened. 

It is great served with a thick hearty bread like this one. 

Apple-Berry Crisp

This dessert was ah-mazing!  We finished it off so fast.  

I had the last little bit for breakfast the next day... Fruit & oats are breakfast foods, at least that's what I told my kids when they saw the empty pan.

Apple-Berry Crisp

3 cups sliced and peeled apples

1 bag frozen mixed berries

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp  flour

1-1/2 cups oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

1 stick melted butter or margarine

In a large baking pan 9x13 size put the fruit and mix it with the 2 Tbsp. of flour & 2 Tbsp. of sugar.  Combine butter, cinnamon, nutmeg brown sugar, oats and flour.  Crumble evenly over the top of the fruit mixture.  Bake in an oven preheated to 375 for 35-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden.

It is great served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream- but also wonderful without, too!

  Sorry, I didn't save any for you.

Lemon Balsamic Broccoli Salad

You know that broccoli salad that everyone used to make with mayonnaise, and bacon and lots of sugar?  It's so good... remember that one?  Well, I was craving a broccoli salad, but couldn't really stand the thought of putting all of that stuff on my broccoli.  So, I created a new fresh & delicious one.  It is SO good and very healthy.  I took it to a potluck the other night & had 2 people ask for the recipe.  So, here it is- in all it's glory!

Salad:
1 Large Bunch of Broccoli, chopped into small pieces
3 Green Onions, diced
3 carrots, diced
1/4 c. Roasted/salted sunflower seeds

Dressing:
1/4 c. Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 Lemon- juice & zest
Salt & pepper
Garlic powder- few dashes


Toss all together & refrigerate until read to serve. Add the sunflower seeds just before serving.


The Balsamic Dressing that I use is also homemade, but it is SUPER simple:

Get one of those Good Seasons Italian Dressing packets that comes with the dressing container.  I make it with those Italian dressing packets, olive oil, & Balsamic Vinegar.  I just fill to the fill line on the bottle.   

Berry-Filled Crepes

This morning for Valentine's Day we had berry-filled crepes for breakfast.  It was delicious & so very easy to make.  I know that they sound all gourmet, but really, they aren't.  I had these a lots as a kid and haven't really made them much as an adult, so my kids were not too sure about it.  They changed their minds quickly, though after trying them! 

For the Crepes:

1 1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
1 c. flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. melted butter (cooled)

Blend the crepe ingredients with a whisk or in the blender until smooth.  Heat a small 10-inch skillet on the stove over med-high heat. Lightly grease the pan. Pour in a small amount of batter (about 1/3-1/2 c.) enough to just thinly cover the pan.  Pick up the pan and rotate it around a little to evenly coat the pan with batter.

Cook until the edges begin to pull away from the side of the pan and the underside is lightly browned.  Flip over and cook the other side until lightly golden-1 to 2 minutes.  Place on a plate and fill with berry filling (about 2 Tbsp.) down the center. Fold up and dust with a little powdered sugar.

For the Berry Filling:

1 lb. of fresh or frozen strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Mix the berries and sugar and heat in a small saucepan.  Whisk together the lemon juice and cornstarch and ad into the berry mixture. Cook on low until it thickens.

Makes about 10 crepes.

I think tonight I am going to make more & do a dinner one with chicken, cheese and broccoli.  Mmmmm!