Honey Oatmeal Bread

 Who doesn't love the smell of bread baking?  Today is a rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest, so I am cooking up a big pot of lentil soup and this delightful bread.  This recipe comes from the blog, Britney breaks bread.   Perfect winter dinner.  I will also be posting the Mediterranean lentil soup recipe.  Try it and give me your feedback.

 Honey Oat Bread

In a large bowl mix:

5 c. bread flour

3 c. lukewarm water

1 1/2 c. rolled oats

3 T. honey

2 t. salt

2 t, yeast

Mix well then cover and allow to just sit for 30 minutes.  Knead for 5 minutes, cover and allow to sit for another 30 minutes.  After this time, take the dough and stretch from each side to the middle.  Cover and allow to rise for an hour.

 Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and place the dough into the pan.  Melt a little honey and brush on top, then sprinkle with some oats.  Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour.

Baked Gingerbread Donuts

 These are a nice festive treat for the holiday time of year..or any other time you feel like them! They have a nice light sugary topping and spicy flavor.  You do need a donut pan for these.  I got mine at a local kitchen store but they are available at Amazon.  This makes about 8 donuts.

For the doughnuts:

• 1 1/4 cup (156 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk (whole or low-fat)
• 3 tablespoons fat-free Greek yogurt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1/3 cup (66 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 cup (56 g)melted butter (optional)
• 
  
• In one bowl whip together the butter, egg, molasses and sugar.  Then whip in the milk and yogurt.
• 
  
• In another bowl mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, allspice, ginger and cinnamon.   Then pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir until smooth.
• 
  
• Spray donut pan with cooking spray and fill with batter.  Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.
• 
  
• Stir together the coating-sugar, cinnamon and ginger. When the donuts come out you can just sprinkle them with the sugar mixture or dip the donuts in the butter and then sprinkle with the sugar mixture.
  

Homemade Soft Pretzels

I found this recipe in a teen magazine long ago.  It has been a favorite with everyone I have made it for.  I am going to walk you through this step by step.  You can do this!  And the results are sooo good.

2 c. milk
1/2 c. lukewarm water
1 pkg. yeast
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 t. vegetable oil
1 1/2 t. salt

Step one:
Scald milk, pour into a bowl and cool to lukewarm.  Then mix in the water and yeast.  Using a whisk, mix together until yeast is dissolved.  Then whisk in remaining ingredients.

Step two:
3 c. flour
Whisk the flour into the yeast liquid.  Cover and put in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes.

Step three:
3 c. flour
3/4 t. baking powder
Stir batter, then add in flour and baking powder.  It should be a stiff dough.  Flour a surface and turn the dough out onto the flour.  Knead 5 minutes.

 Step four:
Roll out into a 10" x 16" rectangle.   With a sharp knife cut into 16 strips about 1" wide, lengthwise.

Step five:
With the palms of your hand, roll a strip back and forth.  It will stretch in length.


Form into a U shape.

Cross the ends then twist around each other.

Tuck ends under outside edge of the pretzel.

Let rise uncovered for 30 minutes in a warm place.

Step six: Heat 8 cups of water and 3 T. salt to boiling in a large pan.  Using a slotted spatula drop one of the pretzel into the water for 3 seconds.  Lift out and tilt to drain off excess water.  Place on a well greased baking pan.

Step seven:  Beat one egg with one T. water.  Brush on top of egg and sprinkle with salt--the coarse type of salt is the best...like kosher.  Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Pane Bianco Bread

• 
  
• 
  
•  With the onset of coronavirus, many of us are sequestered at home.  I will be doing a lot of baking, and will be sharing recipes as an online baking class for you to enjoy.  I hope you enjoy the recipes and are successful in your baking!  This is a lovely, delicious loaf of bread that is easier to make than it looks.  It would be great next to a bowl of soup or salad. The recipe comes from King Arthur Flour.
• For the bread:
• 3 cups (361g)  Bread Flour-if you don't have bread flour you can use all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup (113g) lukewarm milk
• 1/3 cup (74g) lukewarm water
• 3 tablespoons (35g) olive oil

Filling

• 3/4 cup (85g) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup (113g) sun-dried tomatoes or your own oven-roasted tomatoes
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/3 cup (14g) chopped fresh basil (or dried if you haven't fresh available)

1. To make the dough:
   Combine all of the dough ingredients in a bowl and mix and knead — by hand or using a mixer — to make a smooth, very soft dough. The dough should stick a bit to the bottom of the bowl if you're using a stand mixer.
   
   
   
   
2. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until it's doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
   
   
   
3. Meanwhile, use kitchen shears to cut tomatoes into smaller bits.
   
   
   
4. Gently deflate the dough. Flatten and pat it into a 22" x 8 1/2" rectangle. Spread with the cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
   
   
   
5. Starting with one long edge, roll the dough into a log the long way. Pinch the edges to seal.
   Place the log seam-side down on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
   
   
   

1. Using kitchen shears, start 1/2" from one end and cut the log lengthwise down the center about 1" deep, to within 1/2" of the other end.
   
   
   
2. Keeping the cut side up, form an "S" shape. Tuck both ends under the center of the "S" to form a "figure 8;" pinch the ends together to seal.
   
   
   
3. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes.
   
   
   
4.  preheat the oven to 350°F.
   
5. Uncover the bread, and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting it with foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent over-browning.
   
6. Remove the bread from the oven, and transfer it to a rack to cool. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store, well-wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of days; freeze for longer storage.
   

Blueberry muffin for one

During this time at home, this is a nice little muffin to make for one or two to share.  If you use wild blueberries you can also get some great immune boosting vitamins.  This recipe comes from a great website, cookingforone.

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons milk 
• 1/2 cup blueberries
•  
• Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.  Mix berries into the flour mixture.  In another bowl combine the butter, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla.   Pour this mixture into the bowl with the flour and berries.  Stir well.  Pour into a ramekin that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
• 
  
• Combine 2 T. flour, 2 T. oatmeal, a dash of cinnamon, 2 T. brown sugar and 1 T. butter.
• Sprinkle this mixture on top of the muffin.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes.

San Juan Islands Blueberry Muffins

It’s a hot chocolate and blueberry muffin morning😃

This recipe came from a cookbook from our beautiful San Juan Islands here in Washington State.  They are easy to make and a great morning treat. This recipe makes 1 1/2 dozen muffins.

3 c. Flour
1/2 c. Sugar
1 1/2 T. Baking powder
1/2 t. Salt
1/2 t. Cinnamon
Whisk all these ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir in
1 1/2 c. Blueberries
In another bowl beat together
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. Milk
1/3 c. Vegetable oil.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well.
Spray muffin pans with cooking spray.  Fill each cup about 3/4 full.
In another bowl mix
1/2 c.brown sugar
1/2 c. Nuts
1 t. Cinnamon
Sprinkle this mixture over the top of eac muffin.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Orange Breakfast Cake for one or two

While we all enjoy baked goods, sometimes we don't want to bake just enough for a serving.  The website, cookingforone.com offers smaller servings of both baked goods and dinner entrees.  If you have a small family, this is a perfect site to check out.

1/2 c. orange juice
1/4 c. oats
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. baking soda
2 T. butter, melted
1 egg
1/8 t. vanilla
zest of a small orange

Bring orange juice to a simmer in a saucepan.  Add oats and simmer for 5 minutes.  Cool.
In a small mixing bowl combine butter, egg, vanilla and zest.  In another bowl whisk together the flour, sugar and baking soda.  Combine wet and dry ingredients.  Spray a 5-6" baking dish or ramekin with cooking spray.  Put batter into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  If desired sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool.

One Hour Dinner Rolls

I was really able to have these finished and on the dinner table in an hour.  They were easy to make, and much tastier than a store bought roll.

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 T. yeast
2 T. sugar
Combine and whisk by hand or in your mixer.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Beat in:
1 t. salt
2 T. softened butter
3 c. flour
You can add up to 1 more cup of flour if needed.  The dough should be smooth and not sticky.
Knead for 5 minutes.  Cover the bowl and let the dough raise in a warm spot for 20 minutes.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into 15-20 pieces.  Form each piece into a ball and set into a 13" x 9" pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Melt 2 T. butter and brush on the top of each roll.  Sprinkle with garlic or sea salt.  Let rise for 20 minutes.  Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Brush again with butter on the tops of the rolls.

Everything Seasoning Bread

This bread has all those lovely seeds from everything bagels mixed into the bread.  You can also sprinkle more on top if you like.  This bread can be mixed up the night before, and baked when you get home from work OR mixed up before you leave and baked when you get home.  It rises beautifully but you must have a cast iron Dutch oven to bake it in.

3 c. bread flour
1 t. salt
1/2 t. yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water
3-4 t. everything topping mix( or mix 1 T. dried onion, 1 T. dried garlic, 1 T. poppy seeds, 1 T. sesame seeds, 1 T. salt)

mix flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl.  Stir in warm water.  Cover and let sit on counter overnight or all day.  Put a cast iron Dutch oven in a 400 degree oven and heat with lid on for 25 minutes.
Put a  little flour around the dough and try to form into a round in the bowl.  Put a piece of parchment in the Dutch oven and put dough onto the parchment. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.  Uncover and cook an additional 25 minutes.

Maple Nut muffin for Two

This recipe uses a 4” ramekin as a pan to make a large muffin big enough for two.  If you don’t want to share you can double the recipe to make two large muffins.

For one large muffin

In a bowl combine
3 T. Maple syrup
2 T. Melted butter
3 T. Milk
1 egg
1 T. Sour cream
1/8 t. Vanilla
Whisk until well combined.  Stir in
1/2 c. Flour
1/2 t. Baking powder
1/8 t. Salt
2 T. Brown Sugar
1/4 t. Cinnamon
Spray ramekin with cooking spray.  Pour batter into ramekin.

In a small bowl combine
2 t. Flour
2 t. Brown sugar
1/2 T. Butter
1/4 t. Cinnamon
1T. Chopped nuts

Sprinkle over top of muffin.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

One hour French Bread

This bread is perfect for those nights you just want a nice fresh bread to go with dinner.  It comes together so quickly you can come home from work, and have plenty of time to mix it together for dinner that night.

1½ cups warm water

1 tablespoon honey

1½ teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon yeast

3½ - 4½ cups flour

Mix water, honey, salt and yeast, whisking well. Let sit for 5 minutes.  Stir in flour, place dough on a floured surface and knead for 4 minutes.   Form into a loaf and set on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Cover with a towel and allow to rise 20 minutes.  Uncover, take a knife and make several cuts into the top of the dough.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

These doughnuts are baked, so you will need a doughnut pan to make them.  The flavor is rich and deep due to boiling the apple cider down to a syrup like consistency.
This recipe makes about 15 doughnuts.

10 T. Butter, melted
1/2 c. Brown sugar
1/2 c. White sugar
2 eggs
2 t. Vanilla
3/4 c. Buttermilk
2 c. Apple cider
3 t. Baking powder
3 c. Flour
Pinch of salt
3 t. Cinnamon
2 t. Nutmeg

Boil cider until it reduces to 3/4 cup.
Mix together butter and sugars until smooth.  Mix in eggs and vanilla, then buttermilk and apple cider.  Add remaining dry ingredients and stir just until mixed.  Spoon into doughnut pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  After baking, if desired, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Lemon Cream Cheese Danish

These can be made quick and easy by using ready made ingredients.  That is the way I am going to present this recipe. I did make my own lemon curd but it took about 8 lemons.

2 ready made puff pastry dough— usually 2 come in a box
1 jar lemon curd
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 t. Vanilla
1/2 c. Powdered sugar
1 egg

Place one piece of puff pastry dough on a counter top.  Roll out slightly.  Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla well.  Spread 1/2 of this mixture down the center 1/3 of the dough.  Top with 4 oz. lemon curd.  Cut strips along each side. Take turns, starting at bottom overlapping strips.

 Beat egg with 1 T. Water.  Brush over top of dough.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Pane Banco

This is a lovely loaf of bread filled with garlic, Parmesan and tomatoes.  It looks intimidating but is really quite easy.  It makes a wonderful side to a dinner salad or plate of pasta.  This recipe is from the King Arthur Flour website.

1/2 c. Warm water
1/2 c. Warm milk
2 1/4 t. Yeast
3 T. Olive oil
1 1/4 t. Salt
3 c. Flour

With a whisk beat together the water, milk and yeast in a large bowl.  Whisk in the salt and olive oil.  Begin stirring in the flour, one cup at a time.  Knead until smooth. Form into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl until it doubles in size—about an hour.

Filling:
1/3 c. Chopped fresh basil
3 or 4 minced garlic cloves
1/2 c. Sun dried tomatoes
1 c. Parmesan cheese

On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a 22” x 8” rectangle.  Spread all filling ingredients over the top.

Roll up lengthwise.  Pinch the ends closed.

 Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, seam side down.  Using scissors or a sharp knife, make a slit down the middle of the top of the rolled dough.

Form the dough in an S shape.

Tuck the ends into the middle forming a figure 8.



Let rise 45 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Tent with foil after 20 minutes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cheesy Prosciutto and Asparagus Rolls

These little rolls make a great appetizer, or side dish for a light dinner with a salad.  The recipe uses premade puff pastry dough to save time.  If you are not able to get prosciutto where you live, you could cook some bacon slices and use them as a substitute.  Or if you would prefer no meat, just leave the prosciutto out.  This is another recipe from Joanne Fluke's, "Raspberry Danish Murder."

2 sheets puff pastry dough
20 slices prosciutto cut into long thin strips
20 spears asparagus, trimmed
 2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
 2 T. melted butter
Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface.  Wrap a piece of prosciutto around the asparagus spear. 

Press the spear into the cheese.

 Lay the asparagus on the edge of the dough and roll until the dough covers the spear.  Cut.  Brush with melted butter.  Repeat with remaining spears.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Raspberry Puff Pastry Danish

This recipe saves on time by using the puff pastry found in the frozen aisle of the grocery store.  Make sure you leave it in the refrigerator for a day to defrost before using.  This is another recipe I found in Joanne Fluke's "Raspberry Danish Murder."

For the pastry
1 box ready made Puff Pastry
 1 egg
1 T. water

For the sauce:
3/4 c. raspberries
2 T. water
1/4 t. cardamom or cinnamon
1 1/2 T. cornstarch
1/2 c. sugar

Cream cheese filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla

First you will need to make the sauce as it needs to be cool before you can use it.  In a bowl mix the cardamom, cornstarch, and sugar.  In a small saucepan mix the raspberries and water.  Then mix in the cornstarch mixture.  Over medium high heat cook the sauce, stirring constantly.  Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  While it is cooling mix all the cream cheese filling ingredients together well.

Sprinkle a little flour on your working surface and set one of the pieces of puff pastry on the flour.
Using a rolling pin, roll dough out to seal any perforations.  Cut a line down the middle both horizontally and vertically.  This should give you 4 squares.  Set 2 of the squares on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Mix the egg and water.  Brush the inside edges of each square with the egg wash.
Put 1/4 c. cream cheese filling in the center of the square.  Spread over the square leaving a 1/2" edge.
Put 2 T. raspberry filling over the cream cheese and spread out. 

Take the corner of the dough without egg wash and fold it over the filling diagonally to cover just a little over half the dough.  Take the opposite corner with eggwash and pull overlapping the first fold.  At this point if desired brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.  Or not...your choice.

Repeat with remaining squares.  Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.  Repeat with remaining piece of puff pastry dough.   After the pastry has cooled you can sprinkle with powdered sugar, or make a glace and drizzle on top.

Artisan Sun Dried Tomato Olive Parmesan Bread

The title says it all...this bread has a nice crunchy crust and a wonderful filling.  It is great served on the side of a big dinner salad.
You will need a cast iron Dutch oven for this recipe.

Mix together:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt (not table salt)
1/2 teaspoon dry yeast (active dry or highly active dry work best)
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 c. Parmesan cheese
1 c. sliced kalamata olives
1/2 c. sundried tomatoes

Let sit overnight, covered.  In the morning form it into a ball and let sit for 1-8 hours.  Before baking:
Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Place cast iron Dutch oven, covered in the oven and allow to heat for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat, spray with cooking spray and set bread into the pan.  With a knife make several slits on the top of the bread.  Cover and cook for 30 minutes.  Uncover and cook an additional 20 minutes.

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

These are a great roll to go along with an Easter ham dinner.  If you have any left they would make perfect rolls for sliders!

• 1 c. pineapple juice 
• 1/2 c. milk
• 6 T. butter, melted
• 1/3 c. honey or 1/3 c. sugar
• 6 cups flour
• 1 T. yeast
• 2 1/2 t. salt
• 2 T.  brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 t. white vinegar
• 2 t. vanilla
  for the topping:  3 T. Butter, melted

   

  Mix flour, yeast and salt in a mixer bowl.  Stir together the pineapple juice, honey or sugar, 6T. butter, and milk.  Heat to lukewarm-don't worry if it looks curdled.  Slowly add this mixture to the flour in the mixing bowl.  Beat on medium speed with the dough hook for 5 minutes.  Or knead by hand.  The dough will come together but still be a bit sticky.  Put in a buttered bowl and cover.  Put in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2 hours.

   The dough should double in size.  Take dough out of bowl and divide into 18 pieces.  Roll each piece into a ball.  Place balls in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Cover and let rise for another 1 1/2 hours.  Brush tops with some of the 3 T. butter.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Brush with butter again when rolls come out of oven.  Allow to cool at least 10 minutes in the pan before removing.

Maple Nut Muffins

These are a nice breakfast, or a treat with a cup of coffee or tea.  The dough can be quite thick if you choose to use yogurt, and you may need to add a little milk to just thin it a bit.

3 c. flour
2 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. finely chopped nuts
Whisk all these ingredients together in a bowl.  In another bowl whisk:
1 egg
1/2 cup yogurt, buttermilk or milk
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 t. vanilla
1 t. maple flavoring/extract
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Spray a muffin try with cooking spray and fill the cups 2/3 full.  On the top of each muffin sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon.  Put  a few chopped nuts on top of each muffin.  Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

Homemade Pretzel Hamburger/Sandwich Rolls

Who doesn't love pretzel rolls?  Around here you can find them sometimes in the grocery store-but they never are salted.  Besides that, homemade is ALWAYS better...right?

• 1 1/2 c. warm water 
• 2 1/4 t. yeast 
• 2 t. sugar
• 4 1/4 c. flour
• 2 t. salt
• 4 T. butter, melted
• 1/4 c. baking soda
• 1 large egg, beaten (optional)
•  
•  
• In a large mixing bowl put warm water and then whisk in yeast and sugar.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes, during which time it should begin to bubble.  Whisk in 2 c. of the flour , butter and the salt.  Stir in enough of the remaining flour for dough to form a ball. Put into another bowl that has been buttered and cover and keep in a warm place for one hour or until the dough doubles in size.  Take out of the bowl and put on a floured surface.  Divide into 8 pieces.  Try to form the pieces into disc shapes by hand.  Bring the edges of the disc to the center.  Turn over and you should have a pretty good roll shape.  Put on a parchment lined cooky sheet, cover with a towel and place in a warm place for 30 minutes.  Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil, remover from heat and mix in baking soda.  Return to heat.  Place 2 or 3 bun in the water, seam side down.  Cook in the liquid for about 30 seconds per side.  Remove from water and place on baking sheet.  Brush with egg-if desired- and sprinkle with salt.  You can just sprinkle with salt. 
• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Makes 8 buns.