Artisan Bread (for the Very Frist Time!)

I have had a book on Artisan bread for nearly 3 months now, and never quite had all the supplies, or wimped out, or didn't have the time.. or ANYTHING that would keep me from doing it (not on purpose) would come up. Well, yesterday, I finally decided I would make it, and that I would let nothing come in my way of finishing it. 

I started out by burning my flour, as I didn't realize that you shouldn't flour the baking stone til right before the dough goes in. Oops. I thought nothing of it for the first 25 minutes, just assuming that nasty smell was something burned onto the bottom of my over (sigh, yes, that would mean I'd need to clean it. But that was nothing to worry about right away.) More time went by and it was smelling worse and worse. What on earth? I thought to myself. It was snowing pretty hard yesterday morning, and was brutally cold, yet I shoved two windows wide open to air our the house. (I have a strange fear of smoke alarms, I think because when growing up, we had such high, peaked ceilings that a person had to stand on a step ladder to shut them off. I didn't like standing on ladders. Therefore. . .  )

Several times, I peered into the oven, but seeing nothing amiss, I would shut it again, just to keep smelling the bad burning smell. Eventually the flour turned darker, and darker, until my final peek into the oven and saw it had turned the color of cinnamon. Not good, not good! I grabbed an oven mitt and yanked it out as quickly as I could, rushed it to the sink, and scooped the flour off. It still smelled awful, so I can some hot water over it.. (I also have a slight fear of baking stones, as I think I will crack them somehow. Then I *really* won't be able to make artisan bread. So I was half-expecting the water to shatter it. Yes, silly, I know.) 
Once clean, I ran a paper towel over it and looked at my mess. I was pretty sure by now the bread would not turn out, because 1) my stone was not floured and it would stick, and 2) there was a ghastly smell of burned flour in the whole oven, so likely the bread would come out with the flavor all over it. I was about to throw away my already-formed loaf, when I decided I'd just make the loaf anyway, and if it was inedible, well, at least I knew how to form and bake it. Seemed worth a shot. 

30 minutes later, I took the bread out.. it smelled absolutely scrumptious. I waited about 15 minutes, then sliced the end off. Typically I do not like the "butts" of bread, or the "heel" as everyone else calls it. It's just too dry and bland for me. But OH MY GOODNESS. I am officially in love with artisan bread's crust. It was the perfect crunch, with a very moist, chewy crumb.. I ate another slice, both lathered in butter. YUM. 

Since my loaves were each 1 lb each, there were only 5 slices, and since I ate two, I put the other three on plates and took them to my girlfriends with whom I was having lunch later that day. To my great happiness, they loved the bread as well. I am very certainly going to make this again. <3<3 

Lay's for Camilla :)

   For those of you who have no idea who Camilla is.. she has a really cool cooking blog to which I am very addicted and it has really inspired me to get out and try more things! Anyway, she had a post about the differences between Lay's and Ruffles chips (you *really* ought to read it . I got a good laugh out of it!) Anyway.. Camilla: Lay's chips CAN have ridges, they're just called by another name - "Wavy". Bahaha, I know it's crazy to blog in response to that, but I just couldn't let it go. In your defense of course. So tell your friend that you were partially right, anyways! :)

    Now, go enjoy some WAVY Lay's!! =D

January 17th, 2012 :)

Tomorrow will be four months married to my dear, wonderful Johnboy. Early in the afternoon I will be away, visiting some old friends. I need to think of something for dinner that will surprise and enthuse him. Since of course, he has a blog, and is following mine, I really can't say what that is or what I would like to make. I'm getting pretty excited about it, and will post pictures of its preparation tomorrow evening! 

Love you, Babe! <3<3

The Man in the Pizza Aisle

   The dinner I was planning for tonight takes 7-8 hours in the slow cooker. I did not realize that until about 45 minutes ago, therefore my conclusion to look for something else to eat. Rarely do I enjoy buying convenience food, and whenever I have the timing and funds, I'll make all my food from scratch. Well, seeing as I couldn't make the shredded beef sandwiches that would take the entire morning and afternoon in the slow cooker, I sadly resorted to pizza. There's this incredible Thai Chicken Pizza that I've been wanting to try for some time now, but only had a few dollars to spend. *sigh* So frozen it was! 


   As much as I would have preferred not being seen in the convenience food aisle, I am happy for the coincidence that there was another fellow from-scratch cook there, who had just gotten off work and was going to have a simple evening, over frozen pizza as well. A gentlemanly middle-aged fellow, short black hair, a black wool, knee-length double breasted coat, and jeans. I nearly ran into him as I made my way along the freezers and, smiling, he offered me a cheery hello. I grinned back, stepped out of his way, and said "hi". He then went on to ask me if I was grabbing a quick dinner as well, and if I liked pasta? If so, there was a delicious brand of frozen pasta I could try. I said I had not tried it, but did indeed like pasta. (In my own defense, lest he think I was a Pasta-roni, Pop-Tarts & Lunchables girl, I added that I loved to cook from scratch, and tonight I simply didn't have the time.) He looked slightly shocked, that I loved to cook, and responded that he as well, loved making things at home, from scratch. We talked for a bit, then as I finally made my choice, he told me if I ever go to Door County, I should try the olive oil store there. His brother visited once and bought his several of the big bottles. One was rosemary lemon, another garlic something, and I forgot the last one. He told me one of his favorite steak recipes, how he marinates them in these flavored olive oils. He then wished me a good evening, and we parted ways.


   All the way home, I was smiling. I love how things "just happen" like that.. and something that would have otherwise been ordinary and boring.. (and perhaps slightly embarrassing!) turned into something fun, and I now have even more reasons that I need to go to Door County. :D


   Thank you, friendly man in the black wool coat at Walmart. You made my night.

Yogi Wisdom of the Day

   A good lesson from my Yogi tea this morning.. when all other sources poop out on you, and you are unable to find inspiration elsewhere, try a mug of Revitalizing Peppermint tea.

   I woke up this morning feeling rather sick, a flu-like bug. I didn't feel like doing anything, whether it's cleaning the bathrooms, mopping the floor, making my bed, or even something simple like doing the dishes. Laying on the couch doesn't make it any better, so the logic would say, why not just get something done, then? It's going to feel as sick and nasty no matter what you do, so why not focus your mind on something else rather than having a pity party? Still, I didn't want to do anything. I need to grocery shop for the week, do a couple loads of laundry, mop, sweep, vacuum, do dishes, clean the kitchen, prepare dinner.. etc. The very thought of all that - UGH.
 ~

   Well, I decided to do something, so I heated up a mug of water and got out a bag of Peppermint tea. Something I've always liked about Yogi, besides being Organic and delicious, is the little sayings I'll find on the paper attached to my tea bag. This morning's was perfect, and after drinking half the mug, I got to work on the kitchen. I still feel yucky and ill, but with this quote floating through my head, I think I'll make better of it than before. <3

Monday Gratefulness

I had a sickening convo with my husband last night about religion and politics and definitely decided I get a lot of negative vibes from both, and I don't care what it's about. It's yucky, indescribable, unbearable.. et cetera.

Growing up I heard so many people quote bible verses at me, but their lives showed nothing of love or kindness. They had no humility, gratitude, or willingness to serve. Only if it merited being seen by important people, so then it was about showing off, not the community work after all. 

So I am working on my self. My personal relationships.. with people and things. I want to do MY best.. not because anyone told me to, or wants me to, or expects me to, or has shoved religion down my throat, or is guilt tripping me. I want to do it, because it brings me joy, happiness, and makes me content. So here goes.

I am grateful for:

1. The ability to choose life for myself
2. Free will
3. My amazing husband
4. Books
5. Energy and vibes
6. Zumba
7. Our beautiful home
8. My ability with cooking
9. Walking trails for my enjoyment
10. A Curves membership to stay in shape
11. A sweet Siberian husky who I love with all my heart
12. A little bit of spending money :)
13. New friends
14. A peaceful atmosphere within my home
15. Joy
16. Free wifi
17. Nutritious food in my fridge :)

(just to name a few)

Sleepy Heads

One blog a day is good, two is preferred. Well, that's till I am in college or have a job, anyways ;).

I didn't get a chance to take wood-hauling pictures as hoped, but I certainly got food pictures of quiche, steamed broccoli molasses cookies, and Arizona iced tea. That's enough to be proud of for one day, right?

No pictures for tonight though. I am entirely exhausted and ready for bed. The only thing still keeping me up is my husband. Not intentionally on his part, this is voluntary on mine. He is brushing his teeth, and I'm waiting so I can "tuck him in". No, I don't baby him.. it's more like hugging him good and tight, massaging or scratching his back, and saying goodnight. Then I go to the kitchen, make his lunch for the following work day, and then return to the bedroom, and snuggle down between the nice, cool sheets.

In two minutes it will be Monday, so I will end here.
Good night!

Sunshine and Adventure

   At least I know how to start the day right; with 3 freshly baked molasses cookies in me! :) Yes, I have decided to blog once every day, even if it contains reeeally boring information. It's likely to happen. 

   At 2 o'clock my husband and I are going to his mother's house to load up chopped up trees in his trailer so she can burn them in her stove. I am taking caramel pudding, and she is making a quiche. Even the wood part isn't the most fun in the world, I can definitely take pictures of the meal --and maybe a few of us slaving away in the brutally cold world. ha. ;)

   My dude still owes me a walk this morning, before we go, so that means I should *probably* get off my blog and find some boots to wear when we go trudging through the snow. Hope you're having a fun weekend!!

Fried Potato Pancakes

   Saturday is typically leftover night, and I wasn't too thrilled about what was in the fridge. John came across a bowl of mashed potatoes, I tasted them, and they were still perfectly fresh. There wasn't enough for both of us to make a meal from, but neither were there other leftovers that would go well with mashed potatoes. 

   Then John remembered a childhood favorite, of potato pancakes his mom made. Of course, he didn't remember how to do them, so I called her up. She told me the recipe wasn't an actual recipe, and she just guessed at amounts, each time. (I love that kind of recipe!) She told me as best she could, what to add and how much, and I returned to the stove, ready to make something delicious.

So here goes, and have fun! -Because I didn't measure either ;)

3 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheese
1 egg
salt & pepper to taste
butter for the griddle, about 2 tablespoons

   With a firm spatula or using your hands, mash egg, cheese and spices into the potatoes.
   Heat the griddle til hot. Apply two 0.5-tablespoon slabs of butter to either end of the griddle. Push around until melted with metal spatula.   Once butter starts to bubble and you know the surface is hot, splat a scoop of potato pancake onto the hot griddle. (I use a small gravy ladle, for size. About 1/4 cup) Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip over. If pancake holds together and is browned, you're good to do the other side. When both sides are done, transfer to a plate, re-butter the griddle and do the next round. 

Makes 6 medium pancakes. Goes great with sausage links/patties or bacon, fried/scrambled eggs, buttered toast.


Enjoy!

Yawning, Sleepy, with Tummies full of Pudding

   Well, it's officially the 15th, so I can blog again. (I have a limit as to how many I *should* post in one day, and I think there were three yesterday?) It all feels like the same day to me. 

   Anyway, I've spent the last half hour feeling sorry for myself, being tired, and so on. What a waste of time! Today was very much a success, and a joy.. so I'm going to share THAT with you and ignore my past-bedtime pouties. ;)

THE CARAMEL PUDDING TURNED OUT FABULOUSLY! 

   I am slightly embarrassed to say that I have never actually eaten real, homemade pudding prior to today. But I've been lucky, my first batch was amazing and proved to be worth doing again. I love it when first experiences of something are fantastic. Especially when it's new to me. 

   My ingredients were simple; things I had on hand, besides having to run to the store for heavy cream and caramel syrup. A candy thermometer is on my list, soon I will be making my own caramel! Til then, I guess I won't call it truly homemade. Although 'tis definitely better than Jell-o's brand! 

   Even John tried his hand at the stirring. Turned out a bit lumpy, but we worked those out after adding the caramel. I discovered that my recipe, before adding the caramel could easily be used as a base for any kind of flavored pudding, and I am excited to try others, such as chocolate, banana, or hazelnut.

   As a general rule, I follow the recipe the first time, after that, I'll play around with it. Next time I would skip the sugar if I am adding a sweet sauce. Variations can be awesome if you know what you're working with.


I will definitely be making this again!!
(Original Recipe)


To Pudding, with LOVE.
~Hannah

From a Glass, Mug or Cup..

   Sometimes I wonder, if I just stopped eating, would all my problems be solved? Food makes me tired, cranky, moody.. and sick. Yes, sick. The last four days that I have eaten food, I've felt awful. The previous week, when I went all day without food and just drank smoothies, veggie and fruit juices, water, coffee & tea - I felt great. I'm still doing that for most of the day, but if I have a snack, or even dinner, I feel terrible. 

   This, strangely, does not change my passion for *preparing* food. (Which is lucky for the people who live off my cooking, hehe.)


   I think if I had more beverages, more exercise, and less junk in my life - I'd be a happier girl. I also need to "ween" myself off of friendships that pull me down. Doesn't seen like that would be much of a problem, does it? Well it's harder to do than to say. I need to start challenging myself with a new thing each week, til I am exactly where I want, and need, to be.

Fruit Juices - YUMMY.

Definitely more water. Flavored, or just from the tap. 

Yogi Tea has an amazing Revitalizing Peppermint - I should be drinking more of it.

If I go to my local bookstore often enough, I can have a delicious Alterra coffee, once in a while..

Finally, fruit smoothies. (Or veggie. I put flax in mine.) This is something where the entire fruit can be used, and therefore more nutritious. For me anyway. :)

A variety of glasses sure does make a difference. And I love straws. Especially the ones that are all knotted up and you really have to suck to get the beverage up. I can be such a kid.. C =

Twelve Per Cent

Blogging desperately because you have only 19.. er, 18% battery left on your laptop, yet you have no idea what you want to talk about, can be very pointless and boring. So don't say I didn't warn you.

I scared myself just a moment ago, thinking I'd accidentally called someone I barely knew.. only to realize it was a radio playing in the next room. Okay, it might have been someone at Verizon Wireless to my left and slightly behind me. Or the party going on in Ground Round's party room to my right and slightly to the front. There is a fireplace directly across from me, about 25 feet away. 

After tilting my head as far back as it goes against the leather couch I'm sitting on, I realize that the room is octogonal shaped. To my left and forward is Gatherings. A *really* big woman just walked in front of me. She took up most of the hallway. Hey, just making observations. What else am I to do here, with just 16% battery left? I type as quickly as I can, gathering as much information as possible - which isn't much. I feel a little self-conscience, with people walking all around and behind me. Great, now they know my real name (facebook tab open) and my blog address. Hm, maybe I'll get more followers? Won't get my hopes up.

Still 16%. I'm hungry. Justa Pizza Place is to my back, which is a good thing as I am on a liquids diet. I don't need to be looking at their menu which is posted on the door, or smelling the delicious fresh baked pizzas wafting in. Very good thing they're to my back. Justa kids store is to the left of Justa Pizza Place, if I were facing it. Since I am not, it's to the left and behind me. (I do expect you to draw this out when I'm all finished. It's like a mind game. ;) Now .. I lost my train of thought. That's what happens when I answer texts in the middle of trying to blog. 14%.


Have I forgotten anything? Okay, the floor is mostly tan stone, though the center (of course in an octagon) is red bricks. I doubt if they are real.) Now I am *really* thinking about food. Trying to ignore it. 3:25pm. The man is supposed to be coming for me, sometime here.


Large lady emerges from door. Same one. Better hide while she walks past. That would be soo embarrassing. Nevermind. She's going the other way. 13%.


I will go home before we go to LaCrosse, so I can get my grocery list of all the foods I'm making this week. That will be fun - but they say not to shop when hungry. I'll just have to deal with it. 


As a young woman, my grandma had a typing job.. they were timed to see how many words per minute they could do. I wonder if I timed how long battery runs out and how much I had to see how many words I did a minute.. never mind. Not worth it. 12%. 


Ahh! I'm saved. The man has come. But.. ugh. Good timing. Lots of people walking past now. Wouldn't want them to see the things I thought of them. I did it with still 12%. Later, peoples. ;)

Yummy Homemade Caramel Pudding

 Saturday afternoon, 1:06pm, the man is off shooting his bow and I am at the cozy little coffee shop/bookstore with a black & tan coffee, reading Bobby Flay, Malcolm Gladwell and Harvey Karp. The menu has all been made for next week's cooking, and leftovers are the plan for tonight. Nothing romantic or exciting about that, right? Well, not if I make this super duper ummy yummy caramel pudding! Yes ma'am (and sir.. if any are reading), that's exactly what I am making tonight.

I love trying new recipes! Pictures to follow, m'Dears. But for now, take the recipe. Yum! Enjoy :)

2.5 + 0.5 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream 

6 tablespoons cornstarch

4 eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

seeds from 2 vanilla beans

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cups caramel + 0.5 cups for serving

In a large saucepan, boil milk & cream over medium heat - do not scald.

In a bowl with mixer or wooden spoon, mix cornstarch & 0.5 cup milk.

Add eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla and vanilla bean seeds, sugar and salt, mixing after each addition. While mixing on slow, add the hot milk mixture very slowly. Pour back into saucepan and whisk on med-high heat. Add cubed butter, and stir constantly til thickens (usually 5-10 minutes.) After the pudding has thickened, add 2 cups caramel. Whisk vigorously, cook 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat, let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Pour into individual bowls, and allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight. Before serving, drizzle with remaining caramel.

Makes eight 6-ounce servings. 

Homemade Dressings and Salad

   This salad is DEFINITELY going to be on the menu for next week's lunch. When I first saw it, I knew there was no way I could pass it up.. I can almost feel my stomach growling right this moment. Mmm.. <3 

   Tomorrow's lunch is something like leftovers from the surprise half-birthday party I threw for my husband on Tuesday. Chips, salsa, guacamole, sausage, cheese, crackers, gummy slugs, raspberry tangerine fruit punch, cream cheese stuffed jalapenos, radishes, carrots, snow peas. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. I know I won't starve, that's what. Dinner will be Cinnamon French toast, and I'm thinking of adding nutmeg, or ginger to it. I like to be creative with my food, but not to the point of it being inedible. ;) My man doesn't like eggs, but I will likely fry up a few for myself, along with the turkey sausages.

Anyway, here is the recipe of the salad.. probably Wednesday's lunch.

 Ingredients:
1 clove grated garlic
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 ounce bag of baby spinach
3/4 cup sliced strawberries
1 diced avocado, peeled
1/3 cup fresh peas
2 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped pecans


Directions:
Blend garlic, honey, mustard, vinegars & oil until smooth. Pour over salad & toss.

   This is just the beginning. I purchased a whole book of Salads earlier this month, and as I make my way through the book, sampling and experimenting, I'll add more! 


Enjoy :)

Break-A-Tooth Ginger Snaps =P

KIDDING! You won't actually break a tooth. I'm just being obnoxious because I don't like crunchy cookies. ;)
  
    I only like crunchy if it is chips, carrots, or Oreos... and a few other things. But not cookies. So I might not have given you a true Ginger Snap recipe before. If this is more what you had in mind... then I hope you will make THIS recipe instead. :)

   Although.. if I had to eat a crunchy cookie, I *would* choose these! So you have my blessing, if you use my recipe. <3

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/3 cup white sugar for decoration

   Preheat oven to 375*. In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, oil, molasses & egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, ginger & cinnamon; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll the dough into 1.25 inch balls. Roll each ball in sugar and place two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks.

   As you can see, it is basically the same recipe, only this one calls for brown sugar instead of white, vegetable oil instead of butter, larger amounts of the same spices, baked at the same temp, but for more minutes, leading to a crunchier, spicier cookie. I love them both, so according to my opinion, you can't go wrong. Let me know which you like better! I would try both if I were you.. but do as you please.  :)


PS... Snaps work best with a glass of milk for dunking.. again, softens them up! haha, I'm crazy about softness in a cookie.

THE Ginger Snaps

   Certain individuals asked for me to share my recipe. I would be delighted to, and here it is!!

   (Must confess though, these are actually more like molasses cookies, because I like them soft. If you want a TRUE ginger snap recipe, let me know and I'll post the next best recipe. =])

3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup white sugar

   In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, one cup sugar & egg until smooth. Stir in molasses.
   Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves & ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Cover, and chill dough for one hour. 
   Preheat over to 375*. Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in remaining white sugar. Place cookies two inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes in preheated oven, until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks. 

   Sometimes I will press the tops down with a fork to make a flatter cookie - otherwise they bake with a lump in their centers and aren't as melty in the mouth, as I like them. 

Enjoy!!

A lesson Learned

   Today I babysat. Not my preferred pasttime, though I guarantee, when I do it, I do it well. Kids listen to me. I make sure of that; if they don't they have a timeout. It strikes me how parents will say to their children "if you throw it again, I'm going to take the toy away" -in a way, it is daring the child to disobey, challenging them so sass mama again. Nope, when I'm dealing with naughty kids, it's punishable the first time. I'm not violent, mind you. Just consistent and firm.

   I also learned that what I do for others is actually about me. I know that's the opposite of what good parents try to teach their kids, but it's true. If we're entirely selfless to others, we become door mats. But if it's about us, then it becomes a matter of what we are willing to learn, and allows anyone to improve and change out lives. The cool thing especially, about this, is that both good and bad people alike can make impressions on our maturity. I'm becoming a better person by observing someone's mistakes. I see snobbery, arrogance, selfishness, bad attitudes, grumpiness... and instead of focusing it on the negative influence people, I use it to better MYSELF. Neat, huh?