Dinner Rolls

1 cup warm water
2 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. granulated yeast

2 eggs
5 oz. can of Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 tbsp. Kosher salt

1 warm water (not a typo... for a different step)
1/2 cup melted butter or shortening

6 1/2 cups AP flour (measured with scoop and sweep method)


Step one:

In a small bowl, combine one cup warm water, sugar and yeast. Stir to dissolve yeast and sugar. Set aside to proof. (When the yeast is foamy... it is ready!)

Step two:

In large container, whisk together eggs, evaporated milk and salt. Once thoroughly combined, add remaining water and butter or shortening. Whisk again.

Step three:

Add proofed yeast liquid to the liquid in the large container and mix well.Be sure to scrape the bowl to get all of the dissolved yeast.

Step four:

Add half of the flour and stir well. Then add remaining flour and stir (it will be stiff) until uniformly moistened with no dry spots.

Step five:

Lightly cover and allow to rise for two hours in a warm area. (I heat a cup of water in the corner of the microwave for a little over a minute, then place the dough in the microwave and shut the door. I leave the hood light on to provide a little additional warmth to my over the stove microwave)

Step six:

Punch down dough. Turn out dough onto floured surface. Gently knead in just enough flour to make dough manageable. Shape into desired roll shapes. (I place dough balls in muffin tins. This picture is after the second rise, just before I popped them in the oven.)



Step seven:

Allow rolls to rise at room temperature 40 to 60 minutes.

Step eight:

Bake at 350 until golden brown. (Mine took 18 minutes)





***Recipe makes enough for 24 large rolls. The dough keeps in the fridge for five days covered.***

Parmesan and Herb Foccaccia

Yesterday on Facebook, I mentioned that I was baking breads for a wine tasting party later in the evening. I was making Parmesan and Herb Foccaccia and a Rustic Artisan Loaf to accompany the food bar.

Loads of my friends asked for pictures. So I obliged. Then they asked for the recipe. Hence, this blog entry. I used the Master Dough Recipe from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.

The instructions for foccaccia were straight forward. I oiled my baking pan (I used a quarter sheet) with a good olive oil. Then I cut off a one pound piece of dough from my pre-made master dough. With damp fingers I spread it into the pan. It takes patience working with the dough to get it to extend.

Then I sprinkled the top with Dried Italian Seasoning followed by garlic powder, onion powder, fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt. Finally, I liberally covered it with grated parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarrella.



The last few things to do: I lightly pressed the mixture into the dough, and then DEEPLY dimpled the top. This step is important, as it makes the foccaccia less likely to round up too much in the middle. Also, those dimples catch the gratuitous drizzle of more olive oil on top that is the last step of assembly.

After allowing the foccaccia to rest and rise at room temperature for forty minutes, I baked it in a 425 degree oven for twenty minutes with steam. (Place a shallow pan on any other shelf in the oven while oven pre-heats. Pour one cup of hot water into the pan and quickly close the oven door after putting in foccaccia.)



Cool completely and cut into servings.

The bread was very well received at the party. In fact, my girlfriend has requested birthday foccaccia instead of cake! Imagine that!

Please try this tasty bread, and let me know what you think.

Looking for YOUR Input

I would like to ask for menu suggestions. What would you like to see our family enjoy for a Sunday Dinner?

Here's what I want to know:

1. Optional Salad
2. Main Course
3. Vegetable Side dish
4. Starchy Side dish
5. Optional Bread component
6. Homemade Dessert


Okay, the ball is in your court! I don't have anything to offer to the winning suggestion, except my gratitude and a blog entry devoted to your meal idea.

I probably won't be blogging or cooking this Sunday, as it is Mother's Day... but look for the suggested menu soon!

Thanks, everyone!

I Did It!

A few months ago, Cookie Baker Lynn posted a blog that I could have written word for word myself. Like her, I love to be in the kitchen creating and trying new things. The problem? Also, like her I cannot always be in the kitchen on a given schedule. Sadly, after joining the Daring Bakers and participating with much fun and successs... I found that my opportunities to bake and cook often did not fit the challenge time tables. I was forced to admit that although the desire was there, often the time was not.

I was psyched when she posted about a new Un-group!

I have always wanted to make a homemade German Chocolate Cake. But for some reason, I've always been intimidated working with baking chocolate, egg whites and homemade fillings. The classic recipe includes all three! Yikes





So... a little egg separating, chocolate melting and creaming of butter and sugar I was on my way!





Methodically, I worked my way through adding the egg yolks, chocolate, and alternating the dry ingredient mixture with buttermilk. I confess, it wasn't hard! I just had to concentrate a bit.






Pans were prepared, then I turned my attention to whipping egg whites and then folding them into the batter. At last: divide the batter into three pans and bake!





All that was left was to make the Pecan Coconut Filling and Frosting.





I did it! I filled and topped the cake with the classic filling. The sides were frosted with my standby chocolate frosting. I did it, and the family cheered!

Wordless Wednesday

5 O'Clock On Any Given Sunday

Once again our family was blessed to gather around the table for Sunday Dinner. I can not recommend highly enough this tradition to you, my readers. Our family knows that on any given Sunday at five o'clock exactly where they will be, if at all possible. Not only are appetites fed there, but spirits nourished.

Our menu today was: BBQ Pork Ribs, Potato Casserole, Marinated Spring Vegetables and for dessert a delicious homemade Strawberry Shortcake.


It was obvious by the foods on our table that Spring has sprung! We had fresh vegetables galore in a tangy marinade. I couldn't help but smile at all of the different colors as I cut the fresh vegetables into bite sized pieces.



My sister made the BBQ Ribs. They were so tender that they fell off of the bones. There was no way to pick them up. It was more like delicious morsels of pulled pork. Yum! One of our favorite Sunday Sides, Potato Casserole was the perfect foil with it's cheesy creaminess to the BBQ's piquant bite.



After all that delicousness... the family still had one more treat to come. We had gorgeous Strawberry Shortcakes to take advantage of the beautiful berries available in the stores now. I made the short cakes from scratch with fresh butter and flavored them with orange zest and real vanilla. Sliced open, and filled with berries and cream, they were mind-blowingly good.



I hope to get back to post recipes. However, please feel free to message me if I am delayed and you would like to try any of the recipes.

Sundays are my favorite days! See you soon!

Sunday Dinner

Today we had our usual gathering for Sunday dinner at my sister's house next door. Our menu was simple and familiar comfort foods.

On the menu: Fried chicken, corn casserole, garlic green beans with sweet red peppers, house salad and for dessert: Chocolate Chocolate Cake.


We serve our dishes family style, and pass the bowls and platters.





There's something refreshing about a cool and crisp salad next to steaming hot crispy chicken and sweet and creamy corn casserole.



I bet you wanna see that cake, dontcha? Here it is... homemade Chocolate Chocolate Cake. Yes, as a matter of fact it WAS good.




If you would like a recipe in this post, leave your request in the comments.

Sundays... Our family loves them!

This Is The Day

For the first time in a very long time, I don't have Sunday dinner pictures to share. I didn't forget. And yes, we had dinner. It was just such a lovely time with lovely family and friends and I chose to enjoy the moment. I chose to focus on the people and the conversation.

The food was awesome! We had BBQ Chicken and Ribs, salad, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables and homemade bread. For dessert, we had planned a cheesecake that my sister purchased. But, that didn't work out. So, instead we had Root beer Floats!

I won't totally disappoint you, though. The grilled vegetables were delicious! So, I'll share the method, as it is more method than recipe. Even the most avowed veggie hater just might approve of them.

Today has been beautiful. From the bright, clear morning... to delightful Salsa courtesy of the Buena Vista Social Club and Celia Cruz... to dinner with loved ones. It has been a joy.

Today is the day that the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today, I've been happier than I have been in a long time. Rejoice!


Grilled Vegetables


4 medium zucchini
2 green bell peppers
2 red bell peppers
1 large Spanish onion
1 pound of button mushrooms

Olive Oil
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Italian Dressing
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Onion Powder

Wooden Skewers


Soak the skewers in water for 2 hours. (It helps avoid burning on the grill)

Chop all of the vegetables into bite sized pieces. (I left the mushrooms whole)

In a large bowl, liberally season with seasonings and toss. Add a good amount of olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Italian dressing. Toss again.

Allow to marinate at room temperature for at least an hour. (Two is better)

Thread vegetables onto skewers. Stack closely, but not tightly.

Grill over hot coals, while continually watching. Baste with reserved marinade a few times as you turn the skewers for even cooking.

Delicious!

Travel Via Palate

Today's Sunday dinner was simple but delicious. We feasted on sausages, sauerkraut with apples and onions and pierogies.

Dinner preparation came together in less than 30 minutes, excluding dessert.




Apples and onions were sauteed in butter, with a little kosher salt and pepper. When softened, I added the drained sauerkraut.

Polish sausages were slowly browned and crisped.



I used frozen potato and cheese pierogies. First they were boiled until they floated in salted water.



Lastly, the pierogies were drained and then lightly sauteed in butter. Yummy!


Here's my plate. I like a little sour cream with my pierogies.



My sister rocked dessert! She made an Apple Spice Crisp. And then she served it warm with a scoop of Bluebell Homemade Vanilla. Oh. My. Word.



Dinner was wonderful. A little taste of eastern Europe.

Sunday Sides

One of the wonderful things about Sunday dinner is that it is more "substantial" than our normal weekday dinners. There is the requisite protein and vegetable... but then there are extra starches and usually a decadent dessert.

Today, I'm back as promised to give the recipes to the two side dishes my family enjoyed this past Sunday. I hope you will try these easy and tasty side dishes. If you do, please let me know what you think. I love feedback!

Potato Casserole

24 oz. Ore Ida Hash browns
1 Can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup
8 oz. Sour Cream
1/4 c. margarine or butter, melted
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 fresh green onions, sliced
8 oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
4 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 c. Shredded Parmesan Cheese (use the real stuff)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking dish: I use non-stick spray. I think my dish is a 9 x 10.

In a large mixing bowl mix all ingredients, except the potatoes. Once well mixed, add the potatoes and mix well. Pour into prepared dish, spread evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. (or until potatoes are tender) Remove foil and return to oven to brown top as desired.



(I apologize for the blurry image)


Vegetable Gumbo

1 16 oz. bag Frozen Succotash
1/2 pound fresh green beans
1 16 oz. bag Frozen sliced Okra
1 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
4 oz. Tomato Paste
1 large Red Bell pepper, diced
3 medium Zucchini, sliced
2 Tablespoons Vigo Chicken Soup Base , divided
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

Method:

Add succotash and green beans to a medium pot. Just cover with water. Add one tablespoon of soup base. Cook over medium heat, covered for ten minutes.

Add remaining ingredients, stir well. Cook covered until desired doneness.

Taste for seasoning and serve.

Sunday Dinner

There are precious few constants in most of our lives. However, our family is blessed to be able to stop everything and gather around the dinner table in the formal dining room for a meal each Sunday. The funny thing is that we tend to eat off paper plates...after all who wants to wash dishes after a feast?

Today was my day to cook. My Sunday menu: Roasted Chicken, Cheesy Potato Casserole, Vegetable Gumbo and hot rolls. I made a homemade Sweet Potato Pie for dessert.

Here's a look at the bird before carving. That's not burnt skin... that delicious seasonings and flavor!






Next, I'll show you the veggies in the pot. Yummers! It was a delightful mix of lima beans, okra, corn, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini and red bell peppers. Delicious!



Here's a picture of my loaded plate. I'm not much of a meat eater... so I usually just pick up a wing.




Another angle... Look at that yumminess!



And because I just can't leave it alone... a close up of the casserole and veggies.



Dessert was a southern classic: Sweet Potato Pie!






Well, this post is getting long. So, I'll be back with recipes for the Potato Casserole and the Vegetable Gumbo this week.

Happy Sunday!