For the past couple of weeks, well, actually the past 14 months, I've been pondering on the respective merits of the Bosch and KitchenAid. This hasn't been a full-time pondering, and I certainly haven't lost any sleep over it, but when I'm making something that requires mixing or kneading, which happens fairly regularly, I do think about the equipment.
I brought the Bosch mixer with me to New York and still have the KitchenAid in Utah. The Bosch gets used a lot more in NY than it ever did in Utah, simply because it's all I have. But this also means I've used it for a lot more than making bread (which was its sole use in Utah), so I have more experience with it on which to base my ramblings.
In a nutshell, I LOVE the Bosch for making bread. I can make a batch of 6 loaves of whole wheat bread at one time, and it turns out perfectly. It's fast and efficient. It kneads without stressing the motor It's easy to use. I can make multiple recipes after each other and the motor doesn't seem to get hot. It's a workhorse, no question about it. My Bosch also came with a blender attachment (the blender attaches to a different part of the base). The blender works really well, too. In fact, I think it's the best blender I've ever used.
BUT. . . I miss my KitchenAid. I LOVE the KitchenAid for virtually everything else like cookies, frosting, whipping cream, etc. The KitchenAid is incredibly easy to use and has a limited number of parts to clean. It doesn't hold the capacity that the Bosch holds, but that's not a problem for anything but bread (at least that I've noticed so far). The motor does seem to get warm, but the mixer keeps working. My mom's KitchenAid is over 50 years old, and it's still working (it has had the motor replaced, however). That original design has stood the test of time - my KitchenAid and attachments look almost just like my moms (and mine is only 20+ years old).
So the question I get asked is this: If you could have only one - either the Bosch or the KitchenAid - which would you choose? Based on what I know and how I cook, I would probably choose the KitchenAid, but I'm really glad that I don't have to make that decision. And I'll be really glad when I can get my KitchenAid to my NY kitchen. But what do you think? Is one better than another? Any preferences? Let me know.
Now. . . the piece of equipment I would love to have in my kitchen but probably never will because it's completely impractical, not to mention expensive and BIG, is an industrial size Hobart mixer. Think of it as the KitchenAid on steroids. It is one BIG, BAD mixer, but I fell in love with it at Seneca Lake Camp. It does have a few drawbacks for use in the normal home kitchen (like it's size and the fact that it takes two people to lift the mixer bowl when it's full), but think of the possibilities of being able to make 12 - 16 loaves of bread at once, or 10 dozen cookies, or a full sheet cake pan of brownie mix. Hmmm - with only two people most of the time to cook for, it may be a bit of overkill. But a girl can dream. . .
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What's for Dinner? Try Pork Tenderloin
We had the LDS missionaries over for dinner Monday night, along with Mark's brother Anthony and a friend, Josh. With Mark and me that made 6 for dinner - and I knew time was going to be tight because of work - and we had another obligation that night where we needed to be out of the house by 6:15 p.m.
Here's the menu:
Pork tenderloin
Roasted Yukon Gold potatoes
Gravy
Steamed carrots
Fresh rolls
Chocolate cake
It all came together FAST - literally less than an hour - and tasted great. And we were out of the house by 6:15. Not bad.
Pork Tenderloin
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
1/4 cup Dijon whole grain mustard
1 TB dried rosemary (or 2TB fresh)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp coarsely ground pepper
4 (1-pound) pork tenderloins
Balsamic vinegar
In a bowl, combine apple juice, mustard, rosemary, garlic, and pepper. Put pork tenderloins in a 1-gallon ziplock bag, add marinade, seal tightly. Place in a bowl in the fridge and marinate at least 3 hours. Turn the bag over occasionally (every 60-90 minutes).
Drain and discard marinade from the meat. Place meat in a roasting pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. (I used 2 9 x 13-inch pans.) Drizzle roast with balsamic vinegar (about 2 TB total drizzled over the 4 tenderloins). Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until meat reaches internal temperature of 160 degrees. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
NOTE: Don't be alarmed by the amount of mustard in the marinade. I know it sounds like a lot, but the final product doesn't taste like mustard.
Gravy
3 TB vegetable oil
2 TB butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
1 1/2 cups cold water + additional water if needed
1 1/2 tsp beef base
1 1/2 tsp chicken base
Drippings from baked tenderloins
Heat vegetable oil and butter in saucepan until butter is melted. Add flour and continue to cook and stir about 90 seconds or until mixture is almost starting to brown. Add apple juice and water and stir with a whisk. Add beef base and chicken base. Cook and stir over medium heat until gravy thickens. When the tenderloins are done, add the drippings from the roasting pan(s) to the gravy and stir to incorporate. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more water to desired consistency.
(Cooking tip from a chef: Add COLD liquid to hot roux for lump free gravy. I've never had a problem with it.)
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
4 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, white potatoes, or red skinned potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
pepper
Rinse potatoes and cut into chunks. Put potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat the potatoes. Spread in a shallow baking pan (I use the large cookie sheets with a 1" side). Sprinkle with freshly ground sea salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 45 minutes or until tender. Stir about half way through baking time.
Diane's Rolls
This is my go-to recipe for rolls in a hurry. They always taste great, they can be put together quickly, and I always have the ingredients. It takes less time to make the rolls and form them than it takes to go to the grocery store. Literally. Let the rolls raise while the meat is cooking, then pop the rolls in the oven while the meat is resting. Wah-la! Fresh rolls for dinner. NOTE: I'm including the instructions for the way I make the rolls using instant yeast. If you just have regular yeast, let me know and I'll send you the standard instructions (or refer to the instructions in the family cookbook).
2 cups very warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
4-6 cups flour
2 TB instant yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
In mixer bowl, add ingredients in order: water, sugar, oil, eggs, 4 cups of flour, and yeast. Mix until smooth, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and salt and mix to form soft dough. Add up to 1/2 cup additional flour or as needed. The dough will be soft. Knead (I use the dough hook on the mixer) for about 5 minutes. Let dough rest 20 minutes. Form dough into 36 rolls and place on baking sheets. Cover with a towel and let rise until double. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-20 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
NOTE: I use parchment paper on my baking sheets and spray the parchment with cooking spray. Also, flour amounts and baking times seem to be slightly different in NY than in Utah. I think it may have something to do with the humidity, altitude, and possibly the flour itself. Start wtih the amounts and times listed, and increase if needed.
Chocolate Cake
1 chocolate cake mix, made according to package directions
Before baking the cake, sprinkle with:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
No frosting needed!
I'm estimating the cost for dinner for 6 people at around $20.00.
Here's the menu:
Pork tenderloin
Roasted Yukon Gold potatoes
Gravy
Steamed carrots
Fresh rolls
Chocolate cake
It all came together FAST - literally less than an hour - and tasted great. And we were out of the house by 6:15. Not bad.
Pork Tenderloin
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
1/4 cup Dijon whole grain mustard
1 TB dried rosemary (or 2TB fresh)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp coarsely ground pepper
4 (1-pound) pork tenderloins
Balsamic vinegar
In a bowl, combine apple juice, mustard, rosemary, garlic, and pepper. Put pork tenderloins in a 1-gallon ziplock bag, add marinade, seal tightly. Place in a bowl in the fridge and marinate at least 3 hours. Turn the bag over occasionally (every 60-90 minutes).
Drain and discard marinade from the meat. Place meat in a roasting pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. (I used 2 9 x 13-inch pans.) Drizzle roast with balsamic vinegar (about 2 TB total drizzled over the 4 tenderloins). Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until meat reaches internal temperature of 160 degrees. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
NOTE: Don't be alarmed by the amount of mustard in the marinade. I know it sounds like a lot, but the final product doesn't taste like mustard.
Gravy
3 TB vegetable oil
2 TB butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
1 1/2 cups cold water + additional water if needed
1 1/2 tsp beef base
1 1/2 tsp chicken base
Drippings from baked tenderloins
Heat vegetable oil and butter in saucepan until butter is melted. Add flour and continue to cook and stir about 90 seconds or until mixture is almost starting to brown. Add apple juice and water and stir with a whisk. Add beef base and chicken base. Cook and stir over medium heat until gravy thickens. When the tenderloins are done, add the drippings from the roasting pan(s) to the gravy and stir to incorporate. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more water to desired consistency.
(Cooking tip from a chef: Add COLD liquid to hot roux for lump free gravy. I've never had a problem with it.)
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
4 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, white potatoes, or red skinned potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
pepper
Rinse potatoes and cut into chunks. Put potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat the potatoes. Spread in a shallow baking pan (I use the large cookie sheets with a 1" side). Sprinkle with freshly ground sea salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 45 minutes or until tender. Stir about half way through baking time.
Diane's Rolls
This is my go-to recipe for rolls in a hurry. They always taste great, they can be put together quickly, and I always have the ingredients. It takes less time to make the rolls and form them than it takes to go to the grocery store. Literally. Let the rolls raise while the meat is cooking, then pop the rolls in the oven while the meat is resting. Wah-la! Fresh rolls for dinner. NOTE: I'm including the instructions for the way I make the rolls using instant yeast. If you just have regular yeast, let me know and I'll send you the standard instructions (or refer to the instructions in the family cookbook).
2 cups very warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
4-6 cups flour
2 TB instant yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
In mixer bowl, add ingredients in order: water, sugar, oil, eggs, 4 cups of flour, and yeast. Mix until smooth, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and salt and mix to form soft dough. Add up to 1/2 cup additional flour or as needed. The dough will be soft. Knead (I use the dough hook on the mixer) for about 5 minutes. Let dough rest 20 minutes. Form dough into 36 rolls and place on baking sheets. Cover with a towel and let rise until double. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-20 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
NOTE: I use parchment paper on my baking sheets and spray the parchment with cooking spray. Also, flour amounts and baking times seem to be slightly different in NY than in Utah. I think it may have something to do with the humidity, altitude, and possibly the flour itself. Start wtih the amounts and times listed, and increase if needed.
Chocolate Cake
1 chocolate cake mix, made according to package directions
Before baking the cake, sprinkle with:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
No frosting needed!
I'm estimating the cost for dinner for 6 people at around $20.00.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hot Fudge Sauce
We served this with ice cream for dessert on the last day.
Hot Fudge Sauce
1 square butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 bag (12-ounces) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Over medium heat and stirring constantly, melt together all ingredients except vanilla. Continue to stir until mixture is simmering. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Sauce thickens as it cools. Makes about 2 cups of sauce.
Hot Fudge Sauce
1 square butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 bag (12-ounces) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Over medium heat and stirring constantly, melt together all ingredients except vanilla. Continue to stir until mixture is simmering. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Sauce thickens as it cools. Makes about 2 cups of sauce.
Quick Trick Lasagna
Quick Trick Lasagna - the trick is that you don't have to cook the noodles first!
1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion
1 1/2 lbs ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 (32-ounce) jar or can spaghetti sauce
1 can diced tomatoes or tomato puree
1/2 cup water
1 (8-ounce) package uncooked lasagna noodles
3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Brown ground beef and onion. Season with garlic and onion powder. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, and water and simmer while preparing other ingredients. Mix together the ricotta and eggs.
In a greased 9 x 13-inch pan, layer 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1/2 of the uncooked noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6-8 servings.
NOTES:
You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta - I just like the flavor and texture of the ricotta a little better than the cottage cheese.
For the youth, we made all the lasagna the day before, covered it with plastic wrap (the acid in the tomatoes will eat through aluminum foil after a while), and refrigerated until time to bake for dinner. If you make the lasagna in advance, allow about 20-30 minutes extra baking time.
1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion
1 1/2 lbs ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 (32-ounce) jar or can spaghetti sauce
1 can diced tomatoes or tomato puree
1/2 cup water
1 (8-ounce) package uncooked lasagna noodles
3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Brown ground beef and onion. Season with garlic and onion powder. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, and water and simmer while preparing other ingredients. Mix together the ricotta and eggs.
In a greased 9 x 13-inch pan, layer 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1/2 of the uncooked noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6-8 servings.
NOTES:
You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta - I just like the flavor and texture of the ricotta a little better than the cottage cheese.
For the youth, we made all the lasagna the day before, covered it with plastic wrap (the acid in the tomatoes will eat through aluminum foil after a while), and refrigerated until time to bake for dinner. If you make the lasagna in advance, allow about 20-30 minutes extra baking time.
Quick Vegetable Burger Soup
We served this soup to the adult leaders for lunch on Saturday, along with the homemade French bread. Because I knew we would be busy with making the bread Saturday morning, and didn't know how much time that would take, I didn't want anything too involved for lunch. This was a great choice.
Quick Vegetable Burger Soup
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2 onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 (1-lb) cans (4 cups total) stewed tomatoes with onions and peppers
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cups water
1 large package (20-ounces) frozen mixed vegetables
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 tsp brown sugar
Brown ground beef, drain. Stir in everything else and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Quick Vegetable Burger Soup
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2 onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 (1-lb) cans (4 cups total) stewed tomatoes with onions and peppers
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cups water
1 large package (20-ounces) frozen mixed vegetables
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 tsp brown sugar
Brown ground beef, drain. Stir in everything else and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Southwestern Egg Casserole
We served this to the adult leaders on Saturday morning. (The youth ate oatmeal on the trail.) I like making this for groups because it holds well and still tastes good even when served at room temperature.
Southwestern Egg Casserole
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese or cheddar jack blend, shredded
12 eggs
3/4 cup flour
2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
1 cup whole milk
half of a 4-ounce can diced green chiles, drained, or to taste
1/2 cup picante sauce or salsa (extra chunky salsa works well)
Additional salsa to serve on the side
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic pan. Sprinkle cheese in bottom of pan. Beat eggs, add flour slowly, then mix in evaporate milk and whole milk. Pour egg mixture over cheese. Carefully spoon chiles over the surface, tehn sppon salsa over all. Bake about 45 minutes or until center is set. Serve additional salsa on the side.
NOTE about baking dishes: Be sure to use glass or ceramic for this dish, or any time you are baking eggs. Don't use metal dishes when baking/cooking eggs - the eggs will react to the metal and turn a greenish/gray color. They're still safe to eat, just not very appetizing. (Chalk this one up to a lesson learned the hard way!)
Southwestern Egg Casserole
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese or cheddar jack blend, shredded
12 eggs
3/4 cup flour
2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
1 cup whole milk
half of a 4-ounce can diced green chiles, drained, or to taste
1/2 cup picante sauce or salsa (extra chunky salsa works well)
Additional salsa to serve on the side
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic pan. Sprinkle cheese in bottom of pan. Beat eggs, add flour slowly, then mix in evaporate milk and whole milk. Pour egg mixture over cheese. Carefully spoon chiles over the surface, tehn sppon salsa over all. Bake about 45 minutes or until center is set. Serve additional salsa on the side.
NOTE about baking dishes: Be sure to use glass or ceramic for this dish, or any time you are baking eggs. Don't use metal dishes when baking/cooking eggs - the eggs will react to the metal and turn a greenish/gray color. They're still safe to eat, just not very appetizing. (Chalk this one up to a lesson learned the hard way!)
Hot Bean Dip
This recipe originally came from Anne Peters Hutchings, my friend and neighbor all the years we were growing up. It's always been a hit.
Hot Bean Dip
1 can refried beans
1 cup sour cream
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 TB taco seasoning mix
1 cup cheddar jack cheese, shredded
Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until hot. Stir to combine. Serve with tortilla chips.
If you are in a hurry, you can heat everything in the microwave or in a heavy pan on the stove.
Hot Bean Dip
1 can refried beans
1 cup sour cream
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 TB taco seasoning mix
1 cup cheddar jack cheese, shredded
Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until hot. Stir to combine. Serve with tortilla chips.
If you are in a hurry, you can heat everything in the microwave or in a heavy pan on the stove.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
This recipe originally came from Grandma Mecham, who lived 2 houses over from us in Bountiful, Utah.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
2 cups raisins
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Boil raisins with water for 2-3 minutes. Cool. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour with salt, baking powder, soda, and spices. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with raisins, oats, and nuts. Mix well and drop by teaspoonfuls on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
2 cups raisins
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Boil raisins with water for 2-3 minutes. Cool. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour with salt, baking powder, soda, and spices. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with raisins, oats, and nuts. Mix well and drop by teaspoonfuls on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake.
Chocolate Chip/White Chocolate & Craisin Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 12-ounce package chocolate chips
nuts (optional)
Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, and soda. Add additional flour (if needed) so dough is moist but not sticky. Mix in chips and nuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
White Chocolate & Craisin Cookies
Follow above recipe, but instead of chocolate chips add 1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips and about 1 1/2 cups of craisins. Add chopped pecans if desired.
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 12-ounce package chocolate chips
nuts (optional)
Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, and soda. Add additional flour (if needed) so dough is moist but not sticky. Mix in chips and nuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
White Chocolate & Craisin Cookies
Follow above recipe, but instead of chocolate chips add 1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips and about 1 1/2 cups of craisins. Add chopped pecans if desired.
Brownies and Chocolate Frosting
I was planning to make homemade brownies, but that changed when I discovered we had 12 boxes of brownie mix left over from girl's camp. The frosting was homemade, however.
This recipe makes one 8 x 8-inch pan. Double the recipe for a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Brownies
1/2 cup butter
4 TB cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
In a saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add vanilla. Add flour, baking pwder, and salt and mix thoroughly.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Chocolate Frosting
1 square butter at room temperature
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 TB cocoa
1 TB oil
1 tsp vanilla
milk, cream, or canned milk
Using a hand mixer, combine butter and powdered sugar in mixing bowl. Add cocoa, oil, and vanilla. Mixing constantly, gradually add milk to desired consistency.
This recipe makes one 8 x 8-inch pan. Double the recipe for a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Brownies
1/2 cup butter
4 TB cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
In a saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add vanilla. Add flour, baking pwder, and salt and mix thoroughly.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Chocolate Frosting
1 square butter at room temperature
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 TB cocoa
1 TB oil
1 tsp vanilla
milk, cream, or canned milk
Using a hand mixer, combine butter and powdered sugar in mixing bowl. Add cocoa, oil, and vanilla. Mixing constantly, gradually add milk to desired consistency.
Veggie Dip
16 ounces sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 TB dried minced onions
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp parmesan cheese (like Kraft)
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp chicken bouillon
dash of pepper
2-3 tsp lemon juice (or to taste)
Combine sour cream and mayonnaise. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Let chill several hours or overnight.
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 TB dried minced onions
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp parmesan cheese (like Kraft)
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp chicken bouillon
dash of pepper
2-3 tsp lemon juice (or to taste)
Combine sour cream and mayonnaise. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Let chill several hours or overnight.
French Bread
We made 60 loaves of French bread on Saturday morning and sent them out to the kids "on the trail" to eat with their dutch oven soup for lunch. It was a hit. This recipe makes 3 loaves.
3 cups warm water
2 TB sugar
2 TB oil
7 cups flour (see note)
2 TB instant dry yeast
2 1/2 tsp salt
Cornmeal
1 Egg
In mixer bowl, combine water, sugar, and oil. Add 3 1/2 cups of flour and yeast, and mix until smooth. Add remaining 3 1/2 cups flour and salt, and mix until the dough cleans the side of the mixer. Add additional flour, a spoonful at a time, if dough is too sticky. (When using the bread flour specified in the notes, I haven't had to add any additional flour to the dough.) Knead for 10 minutes on medium speed. Place dough in a large bowl and cover with a towel. Punch down dough every 10 minutes. Repeat 6 times. After 6th time, place dough on lightly floured board and divide into 3 pieces, each piece weighing about 1 lb. 4 ounces (or just eyeball it). Let rest about 10 minutes. Roll out each dough ball to about 9 x 13 inches. Starting with the long side, roll up like a jelly roll. Seal the edges. If desired, cover baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with Pam, and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves on baking sheet.
Mix 1 egg with water to make an egg wash. Spread on the top of each loaf. With a sharp knife, score each loaf 5 or 6 times. Cover with cloth and let rise until about doubled (time ranges from about 30-60 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is). Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool on racks.
NOTES:
Flour: For best results, use high gluten flour that includes malted barley flour as one of the ingredients. Yes, it does make a difference. Sam's Club has it in 50 lb. bags in the Baker's and Chef's brand. I've also found it at Yoder's Country Store in Medina, NY in 5- and 10-lb bags and it's called Qualitate Bread Flour. You can also make it with regular flour, but the dough ends up being softer. When using regular flour, you may need to add more flour to get the right texture.
Mixer: I've made this in my KitchenAid and Bosch. In the kitchen aid, I usually use the paddle for the first mixing, and then change to the dough hook when I add the last half of the flour and the salt.
Forming the bread into loaves: For a smooth bread with a finer texture, roll the dough to the specified size using a rolling pin. For a more rustic bread with larger air holes in the finished product, use your fingertips to gently spread the dough to the 9 x 13-inch size, and then roll up. This will retain some of the air bubbles from the raising. If you want baguettes, roll or spread the dough to approximately 15 inches x 5 inches, roll from the long side, and place on baking sheets.
Egg wash: The egg wash helps the crust brown. You don't have to use it. But if you do, you can also sprinkle the loaves with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, and they'll stay on.
Baking time: The baking time varies between 20-30+ minutes. I think it's a factor of how big the loaves are, whether or not the oven temperature is calibrated correctly, and the altitude. I can't give much advice here except to check it after 20 minutes, and then at 3-5 minute increments until it's done.
3 cups warm water
2 TB sugar
2 TB oil
7 cups flour (see note)
2 TB instant dry yeast
2 1/2 tsp salt
Cornmeal
1 Egg
In mixer bowl, combine water, sugar, and oil. Add 3 1/2 cups of flour and yeast, and mix until smooth. Add remaining 3 1/2 cups flour and salt, and mix until the dough cleans the side of the mixer. Add additional flour, a spoonful at a time, if dough is too sticky. (When using the bread flour specified in the notes, I haven't had to add any additional flour to the dough.) Knead for 10 minutes on medium speed. Place dough in a large bowl and cover with a towel. Punch down dough every 10 minutes. Repeat 6 times. After 6th time, place dough on lightly floured board and divide into 3 pieces, each piece weighing about 1 lb. 4 ounces (or just eyeball it). Let rest about 10 minutes. Roll out each dough ball to about 9 x 13 inches. Starting with the long side, roll up like a jelly roll. Seal the edges. If desired, cover baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with Pam, and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves on baking sheet.
Mix 1 egg with water to make an egg wash. Spread on the top of each loaf. With a sharp knife, score each loaf 5 or 6 times. Cover with cloth and let rise until about doubled (time ranges from about 30-60 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is). Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool on racks.
NOTES:
Flour: For best results, use high gluten flour that includes malted barley flour as one of the ingredients. Yes, it does make a difference. Sam's Club has it in 50 lb. bags in the Baker's and Chef's brand. I've also found it at Yoder's Country Store in Medina, NY in 5- and 10-lb bags and it's called Qualitate Bread Flour. You can also make it with regular flour, but the dough ends up being softer. When using regular flour, you may need to add more flour to get the right texture.
Mixer: I've made this in my KitchenAid and Bosch. In the kitchen aid, I usually use the paddle for the first mixing, and then change to the dough hook when I add the last half of the flour and the salt.
Forming the bread into loaves: For a smooth bread with a finer texture, roll the dough to the specified size using a rolling pin. For a more rustic bread with larger air holes in the finished product, use your fingertips to gently spread the dough to the 9 x 13-inch size, and then roll up. This will retain some of the air bubbles from the raising. If you want baguettes, roll or spread the dough to approximately 15 inches x 5 inches, roll from the long side, and place on baking sheets.
Egg wash: The egg wash helps the crust brown. You don't have to use it. But if you do, you can also sprinkle the loaves with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, and they'll stay on.
Baking time: The baking time varies between 20-30+ minutes. I think it's a factor of how big the loaves are, whether or not the oven temperature is calibrated correctly, and the altitude. I can't give much advice here except to check it after 20 minutes, and then at 3-5 minute increments until it's done.
Youth Conference Food - Recipes are Coming
Youth conference for the Buffalo Stake YM/YW was held September 11-12 at Seneca Lake, NY. The area is beautiful and youth conference was a fabulous experience.
I was in charge of the kitchen, and the food turned out well! It was a blast to cook in a professional kitchen and to have the huge Hobart mixer, the gas range, 6 huge ovens, proofing ovens. . . and the dish machine (cleans and sterilizes dishes in about 90 seconds) - amazing! It wasn't until everything was over that I realized we had taken exactly 0 - zero! - photos of the kitchen, food, helpers, etc. And for a group of volunteers who had never worked together before, we had a good time and got everything done. Positive experience all around.
Anyway, several people requested the recipes I used, all of which came from our family cookbooks. The next several posts will be the recipes. If anyone wants/needs the quantity versions I used at the camp, just let me know and I'll post those, too.
I was in charge of the kitchen, and the food turned out well! It was a blast to cook in a professional kitchen and to have the huge Hobart mixer, the gas range, 6 huge ovens, proofing ovens. . . and the dish machine (cleans and sterilizes dishes in about 90 seconds) - amazing! It wasn't until everything was over that I realized we had taken exactly 0 - zero! - photos of the kitchen, food, helpers, etc. And for a group of volunteers who had never worked together before, we had a good time and got everything done. Positive experience all around.
Anyway, several people requested the recipes I used, all of which came from our family cookbooks. The next several posts will be the recipes. If anyone wants/needs the quantity versions I used at the camp, just let me know and I'll post those, too.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Cilantro Lime Rice
I created this for dinner last week, and it turned out really well. Hope you like it.
Cilantro Lime Rice
2 cups rice
4 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
2 large limes
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Put rice, water, and bouillon in pan, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to heat to low. Cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
Meanwhile, grate the zest from the 2 limes, juice one of the limes, and chop the cilantro. When the rice is done, add the zest, juice and cilantro and stir all together.
We used this in burritos, soft tacos, and as a side dish, and it was good. And was still good a couple of days later for leftovers.
Cilantro Lime Rice
2 cups rice
4 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
2 large limes
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Put rice, water, and bouillon in pan, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to heat to low. Cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
Meanwhile, grate the zest from the 2 limes, juice one of the limes, and chop the cilantro. When the rice is done, add the zest, juice and cilantro and stir all together.
We used this in burritos, soft tacos, and as a side dish, and it was good. And was still good a couple of days later for leftovers.
Not really gone, just really busy
Well, friends, I've been a complete slacker in the blogging department. In almost every other department of my life, too. It's been over 2 months since my last posting. . .
Mark and I drove to Utah the first of July, enjoyed some good times with our family, and Mark flew back to Buffalo after our family reunion. I stayed for a couple more weeks and then Diane drove back with me. We had a great time seeing the country, and saw lots, and lots, and lots of cornfields.
A few days after arriving in Buffalo, Mark and I left for a week at girl's camp, then another trip to Utah for me (for work), then a wonderful pioneer trek youth conference, and now we're in NYC so Mark can attend a class. In the meantime I was called to be Relief Society president and we started looking for a house in our ward boundaries. It's all been good, but has also been somewhat hectic.
Something had to give, and this time it was the blog. But things are calming down. So, if anyone is still following this, thanks for not giving up on me, and I'll promise to do better!
Mark and I drove to Utah the first of July, enjoyed some good times with our family, and Mark flew back to Buffalo after our family reunion. I stayed for a couple more weeks and then Diane drove back with me. We had a great time seeing the country, and saw lots, and lots, and lots of cornfields.
A few days after arriving in Buffalo, Mark and I left for a week at girl's camp, then another trip to Utah for me (for work), then a wonderful pioneer trek youth conference, and now we're in NYC so Mark can attend a class. In the meantime I was called to be Relief Society president and we started looking for a house in our ward boundaries. It's all been good, but has also been somewhat hectic.
Something had to give, and this time it was the blog. But things are calming down. So, if anyone is still following this, thanks for not giving up on me, and I'll promise to do better!
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