Thursday, June 10, 2010

Artisan Bread

I love to eat out at Carrabba's or Macaroni Grill because I love their bread.  Here is a delicious bread recipe that is just as good if not better.  My daughter-in-law, Brandi, gave me the recipe.  You can find it in the book, Artisan Bread In 5 Minutes A Day.

Artisan Bread

3 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt
6 1/2 cups flour
cornmeal for dusting

In a large bowl or plastic container mix yeast and salt into 3 cups water (about 100 degrees).  Stir in flour, mixing until there are no dry patches.  Dough will be loose.  Cover, but not with an airtight lid.  Let rise at room temperature for 2  hours (or up to 5 hours).

Bake at this point or refrigerate covered for as long as 2 weeks.  When ready to bake, dust dough lightly with flour and cut off a grapefruit sized piece of dough with a serrated knife.  Turn dough in hands to lightly stretch the surface, creating a rounded top and a lumpy bottom.  Put dough on pizza peel sprinkled with cornmeal (or parchment paper).  Let rest 40 minutes.  Repeat with remaining dough or refrigerate it.

Place broiler pan on bottom of oven.  Place baking stone on middle or lower rack and turn oven to 450 degrees).  Heat stone for 20 minutes.

Dust dough with flour and slash top with serrated knife three times.  Slide onto hot stone, pour 1 cup hot water into broiler pan and shut oven door quickly to trap steam.  Bake until well browned, about  20 - 30 minutes.  Cool completely before slicing.

Yields 3 - 4 loaves

**This is best eaten the day it is baked.  Serve with butter and enjoy!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Homemade Tartar Sauce

We had fish for dinner tonight and I had a taste for tartar sauce.  I hate the taste of tartar sauce you buy at the grocery store.  So I decided to make my own, and it was YUMMY!  My recipe only makes a small amount which was great because I thought no one else would eat it.  I was wrong.  I should have doubled it.

Homemade Tartar Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sweet pickle cubes or relish (I used the cubes)
1/2 teaspoon pickle juice
1 teaspoon minced onion
2 teaspoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Set in refrigerator at least an hour before serving. (Mine was in the fridge for only about 20 minutes and it was still good.)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Peanut Butter Icing / Frosting

We just had a family reunion for my husband's side of the family.  I love family reunions because there is always such good food.  Trouble is, I never get the recipes.  Well, next year we plan to bring the recipes along with the food.  I did get one recipe from my daughter-in-law, Brandi.  She made brownies (from a box) with Peanut Butter Icing / Frosting.  Man, it was the talk of the reunion--it was delicious!  So whether you call it Icing or Frosting, this recipe will be on your list of favorites.

Peanut Butter Icing / Frosting

1 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup softened butter
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar

Beat peanut butter, butter, milk and vanilla together.  Add powdered sugar and beat well.  If necessary, add a "titch" (as Brandi says) of milk to consistency.