http://www.recipezaar.com/Uncle-Bills-Whipped-Shortbread-Cookies-46877
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Fig cookies (fig newtons)
http://www.nibbledish.com/people/MissJ9/recipes/fig-bars
I used fresh figs that cam from a friend's tree. I might try this recipe again with dried figs, or perhaps another flavor entirely.
I used fresh figs that cam from a friend's tree. I might try this recipe again with dried figs, or perhaps another flavor entirely.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Costco flour
So, I like to bake a lot -- mostly bread -- and I use a lot of flour. Unfortunately, Costco stopped carrying 25lbs sacks of flour, so I have tried some of their other flours.
Thumbs down. This stuff doesn't have a great flavor, and breads baked with it are more dense and gummy than breads baked with normal flour. It's also not very versatile, since making cakes or desserts with this would probably not go well. It's only good for bread, and even then regular white flour tastes a lot better.
I've also tried the organic 2x10lbs white all-purpose flour. It's good, but relatively expensive.
Finally, I broke down and bought the 50lbs sack of flour. I think it cost around $12, and I hope it lasts about 6 to 8 months.
Also, if you bake bread often, buy yeast at Costco. It costs about $6 for 2lbs of dry yeast. This is less than a hundredth of what you would pay for the little packets at the supermarket. I keep the 2lb bag of yeast in the freezer and use it to refill a small jar of yeast that I keep in the refrigerator.
Thumbs down. This stuff doesn't have a great flavor, and breads baked with it are more dense and gummy than breads baked with normal flour. It's also not very versatile, since making cakes or desserts with this would probably not go well. It's only good for bread, and even then regular white flour tastes a lot better.I've also tried the organic 2x10lbs white all-purpose flour. It's good, but relatively expensive.
Finally, I broke down and bought the 50lbs sack of flour. I think it cost around $12, and I hope it lasts about 6 to 8 months.Also, if you bake bread often, buy yeast at Costco. It costs about $6 for 2lbs of dry yeast. This is less than a hundredth of what you would pay for the little packets at the supermarket. I keep the 2lb bag of yeast in the freezer and use it to refill a small jar of yeast that I keep in the refrigerator.
Fruitcake!
I know fruitcake is not the most popular dessert among any group of people, but I like it a lot. I searched around the web for a tasty, quick (less than a day) recipe, and didn't come up with much that looked great. I ended up modifying the recipe written on the package of candied fruits that I used. I like my fruitcake to have plenty of "cake" in it, and not be too loaded with fruit and nuts.
Soak the following in about 1/2c brandy for an hour or two:
8oz "Deluxe mixed fruit and peel" (candied fruits from Safeway -- 1/2 container)
8oz "Cherry and pineapple mix" (red, yellow, green candied fruits -- 1/2 container)
1/2c currants
about 1c raisins
1/2c slivered almonds
I should have added walnuts or pecans too
Soften 1/2c butter, and cream into it:
a pinch of salt (or more if using unsalted butter)
3/4c brown sugar
3/4c granulated sugar
5 eggs (beat after each addition)
2 Tbsp molasses
splash vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
generous dash of ground nutmeg
dash of ground cardamom
Sift:
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
Add the sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix to make a dough. Add in the fruits and nuts along with the brandy that is left in the bowl.
This recipe filled my 9.25" x 5.25" x 2.75" loaf pan very well.
Bake in a pre-heated 300*F oven. After an hour of baking, test if the cake is done by poking a skewer through the cake, all the way to the bottom. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. Test the cake every 10 minutes until done.
After the cake has cooled for 10 minutes pour a little more brandy over the top.
Soak the following in about 1/2c brandy for an hour or two:
8oz "Deluxe mixed fruit and peel" (candied fruits from Safeway -- 1/2 container)
8oz "Cherry and pineapple mix" (red, yellow, green candied fruits -- 1/2 container)
1/2c currants
about 1c raisins
1/2c slivered almonds
I should have added walnuts or pecans too
Soften 1/2c butter, and cream into it:
a pinch of salt (or more if using unsalted butter)
3/4c brown sugar
3/4c granulated sugar
5 eggs (beat after each addition)
2 Tbsp molasses
splash vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
generous dash of ground nutmeg
dash of ground cardamom
Sift:
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
Add the sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix to make a dough. Add in the fruits and nuts along with the brandy that is left in the bowl.
This recipe filled my 9.25" x 5.25" x 2.75" loaf pan very well.
Bake in a pre-heated 300*F oven. After an hour of baking, test if the cake is done by poking a skewer through the cake, all the way to the bottom. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. Test the cake every 10 minutes until done.
After the cake has cooled for 10 minutes pour a little more brandy over the top.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Creamy broccoli soup
I made this recipe, but used 2% milk instead of half-and-half, and also omitted the cheddar. It was still a very rich and filling soup. Really good!
http://www.recipezaar.com/Panera-Broccoli-Cheese-Soup-150384
http://www.recipezaar.com/Panera-Broccoli-Cheese-Soup-150384
Monday, November 9, 2009
Biscuits
http://www.recipezaar.com/Mile-High-Biscuits-26499
Quick, easy, and tastes great. Next time, I might try butter instead of shortening, for a richer flavor.
Quick, easy, and tastes great. Next time, I might try butter instead of shortening, for a richer flavor.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Foccacia bread
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easiest-focaccia-recipe/Detail.aspx
The instructions are a little vague, so this is how I did it:
(double recipe)
Mix 2/3 c very warm water with 3 1/4 tsp dry yeast and 2 tsp sugar
After letting the yeast become foamy, stir in 2 1/4 tsp salt, a splash of olive oil, then 4 c flour
Mix the dough (will be very dry with excess flour), then add 1/2 c water, and continue adding 1 tbsp of water at a time until the dough pulls together.
Knead the dough, then form into a ball. Oil the dough generously with olive oil, then cover and let rise 1 hour.
Punch the dough down, and form into a 3/4" thick rectangle on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with dried oregano and basil. Drizzle with olive oil, then top with a huge handful of coarsely grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in a pre-heated 475*F oven for 15 minutes.
This was really good!
The instructions are a little vague, so this is how I did it:
(double recipe)
Mix 2/3 c very warm water with 3 1/4 tsp dry yeast and 2 tsp sugar
After letting the yeast become foamy, stir in 2 1/4 tsp salt, a splash of olive oil, then 4 c flour
Mix the dough (will be very dry with excess flour), then add 1/2 c water, and continue adding 1 tbsp of water at a time until the dough pulls together.
Knead the dough, then form into a ball. Oil the dough generously with olive oil, then cover and let rise 1 hour.
Punch the dough down, and form into a 3/4" thick rectangle on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with dried oregano and basil. Drizzle with olive oil, then top with a huge handful of coarsely grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in a pre-heated 475*F oven for 15 minutes.
This was really good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)