Category: Entrees

Easy Homemade Bread: Step-by-Step Guide

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preparing the dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast, water and a drop of honey. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes until foaming and bubbly. (This method is referred to as “proofing” the yeast, to make sure it is active. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast is no longer good, and you need to start over with fresh yeast).
  • Add remaining honey, salt, oil, and 3 cups of the flour. Mix to combine.
  • Add another cup of flour and mix to combine. With the mixer running, add more flour. Do this ½ cup at a time. Continue until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be smooth and elastic, and slightly stick to a clean finger, but not be overly sticky. Add a little more flour, if needed.
  • Knead the dough: Mix the dough for 4-5 minutes on medium speed. Alternatively, knead with your hands on a lightly floured surface for 5-8 minutes.
  • First Rise: Grease a large bowl with coconut oil or cooking spray and place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a dish towel or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place* until doubled in size. This should take about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Spray two 9×5” bread pans (or cast iron pans) generously with cooking spray on all sides. You can also line the bottom of the pans with a small piece of parchment paper, but this is optional.
  • Punch the dough down well to remove all air bubbles. Divide into two equal portions. Shape each ball into long logs, or circles, depending on the shape of your pans. Then place into greased pans.
  • Second rise: Cover pans with a lightweight, dry dish towel. Alternatively they can be covered with plastic wrap, as long as they generously covered with cooking spray. Allow dough to rise again for 45 minutes to one hour. The dough should rise about 1 inch above the loaf pans. Gently removing covering.
  • Bake: Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake bread for about 30 – 33 minutes, or until golden brown on top. I noticed it took a bit longer in the cast iron pans, vs bread pans. Give the top of a loaf a gentle tap; it should sound hollow.
  • Invert the loaves onto a wire cooling rack. Brush the tops with butter and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Once cool, store in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 days (at room temperature). Bread should stay up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The easy shopping list can be accessed here: https://amzn.to/4pomslT

Overnight oats, Lite

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 tbs of chia seeds
  • 1/2 scope of MRE Lite, protein powder
  • 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1 tbs of natural peanut powder
  • 1/2 cup of oat milk
  • 1 1/2 tbs of greek yogurt

Optional toppings

  • Chocolate chips
  • Bananas
  • Peanuts

Directions

Mix all of the ingredients in a mason jar. Sir well. Screw on top. Shake well. Put jars in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours. Ideally you’d want them to sit over night (hence the name). Open the next day, and enjoy. Have fun with the toppings; bananas, chocolate chips, melted peanut butter, chopped nuts, etc.. Makes a great lunch – it’s become my go to.

Overnight oats

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 tbs of chia seeds
  • 1 tsp of cocoa powder (can sub for 1/2 scope of protein powder, omitting sweaters)
  • 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1 tbs of natural peanut butter (can sub for powder)
  • 1/2 cup of oat milk
  • 1 1/2 tbs of greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 tsp of honey, agave, or real maple syrup

Can sub

Optional toppings

  • Chocolate chips
  • Bananas
  • Peanuts

Directions

Mix all of the ingredients in a mason jar. Sir well. Screw on top. Shake well. Put jars in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours. Ideally you’d want them to sit over night (hence the name). Open the next day, and enjoy. Have fun with the toppings; bananas, chocolate chips, melted peanut butter, chopped nuts, etc.. Makes a great lunch – it’s become my go to.

The worlds best French Toast

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Seriously. This is the best French toast I’ve ever had – without a bunch of toppings!

Ingredients;

Toppings;

  • Butter
  • Real maple syrup from upstate New York, Vermont, or Canada skip the fake crap.
  • Berries, or candied nuts
  • Powdered sugar

Directions;

Combine ingredients nutmeg, salt, zest in large mixing bowl. Add in cream, sugar, extract, and eggs. Mixed together using an emulsion blender. Add in a few slices of bread at a time. Don’t rush this step. You want the bread to soak up the flavors. Flip slices in batter to completely coat, and have bread absorb as much as possible. After the bread has soaked for at least 10 minutes, heat up a skillet, frying pay, or griddle on medium heat. Add in 1 table spoon of butter. Once butter has melted, take one slice of bread from batter, allowing excess batter to drain from bread back into bowl. Do not squeeze it. Just get the slight access off. The bread should be like a sponge. Cook bread on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Note: if butter is burning, turn down the heat. It’s should be low, and slow. You want to be sure the inside of the bread is cooked.

While the first batch of bread is cooking, put remaining bread slices in batter as space allows.

Flip bread in pan, cooking the other side, adjusting head as needed. Cook for 5-7 minutes.

Repeating the steps noted above.

Once all bread is cooked, serve with REAL maple syrup, and butter – because you’ve gone this far. This breakfast isn’t a healthy one. Have at it. Enjoy an espresso while you’re at it!

One click grocery list can be accessed here!

Mashed Potatoes

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Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs of Idaho Potatoes
  • 1/2 lb of butter, cubbed
  • 1 cup of half and half (or cream)
  • 1 tsp of freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbs of Onion powder
  • 1 tbs of Garlic powder
  • Fresh Rosemary (optional)
  • 1 heaping tbs of Chicken Bouillon

Wash potatoes under lukewarm water. Once clean, poke holes in potatoes utilizing a fork. Microwave on high for 10 minutes on each side, or until soft. Toss whole, unpeeled potatoes into large mixing bowl. Start mashing while adding in butter, and rosemary. Add in seasonings, bouillon, and half and half. Mash until achieve desired texture. Add additional half and half, if needed.

Christmas Hunch Punch

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Ingredients:

  • 1 quart of Apple juice
  • 1 quart of Cranberry juice
  • 1 quart of Pineapple juice
  • 2 cups of pomegranate juice
  • 1/2 cup of lime juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup of pomegranate aperils
  • 1 large orange, sliced

Combine all ingredients. Stir well. Flavors will be best if mixture is allowed to sit for 12-24 hours.

Add desired spirt, and quantity of choice.

Bacon Brussel Spouts

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Ingredients:

  • 12oz of fresh Brussel spouts, cleaned, and sliced (or quartered, if larger)
  • 1 lb of sliced bacon, cubed
  • 2 lemons, halved
  • 1/2 a bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped

Sauté bacon until slightly brown. Do not drain fat. Add in Brussel Sprouts. Continue, over medium heat, while stirring. Cook until bacon crisps, and sprouts soften. Remove from heat, add in cilantro, and squeeze in lemon juice.

Pozolé (Mexican Pork Stew)

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Ingredients:

  • 2 large cans of Las Palmas Enchiladas Sauce
  • 2 large cans of Juanita’s Hominy
  • 3 cans of water (enchilada sauce size)
  • 1 pork butt shoulder
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 4 bay leaves
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon

Raw Toppings:

  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Shredded green cabbage
  • Cilantro
  • Queso Fresco
  • Sliced radish
  • Lime wedges
  • Diced red onion
  • Sliced green onion
  • Salsa
  • Tortilla Chips (optional)
  1. Place pork butt in large stew pot. Add enchilada sauce, hominy, water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to boil. Simmer for 5 hours, or until tender. Stir occasionally, flip pork but as needed. Shred pork.
  2. Serve hot, add toppings of your liking.

Eggplant Parmigiana

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb of eggplant, sliced thin
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 of a cup of flour, seasoned with S&P.
  • 3/4 of a cup of unflavored breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 of a cup of grated parmesan or romano cheese
  • 1/4 of a cup of fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • salt, and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb of mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • additional mozzarella for topping
  • Oil for frying (Olive oil preferred)
  • basic marinara sauce

Directions:

Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. First dip eggplant into flour, then egg, and then the breadcrumb mixture. Fry* in heated oil, until a light golden brown. While cooking the eggplant, line an oven save pan with marinara, then stack eggplant, mozzarella, and sauce, one layer at a time. Once complete, bake at 400º for approximately 25 minutes. Topp with additional cheese (grated, and or mozzarella), if desired. Serve hot with your favorite pasta dish.

*Can also bake at 400, instead of frying

Pan Seared Ginger Chuck Roast

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Ingredients:

  • 2 pound Beef Chuck Roast
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, smashed, or chopped
  • 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of Hoisin Sauce
  • 1/8 of a cup of Honey Barbecue Sauce
  • 3 cups of stock (Chicken, or Beef)
  • Ghee for frying
  • Salt, and pepper

Pat dry the chuck roast, season each side with salt and pepper, then dredge in seasoned flour. Using the Ghee, pan sear the chuck roast in a medium sized sauce pan.

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Allow roast to brown on all sides, then put in deep baking dish. In the same pan, sauté the onions until slightly translucent, then add in ginger, cook for about another minute. Add equal parts ghee, and flour to make a roux. Once brown, add in stock, garlic, soy, hoisin, and bbq sauces. Once combined, take mixture and pour over the roast in the baking dish. Liquid should cover about half the roast. If not, add more stock. Set pan aside, you’ll use it again. Cover with oven safe lid, or foil. Bake for 65 minutes, flipping roast, and turning pan once.

Pull roast from baking dish, and place on cutting board. While allowing meat to rest, pour juices into the sauté pan used earlier. Over medium to medium high heat, allow to drippings to reduce. Cook for about 10 minutes, allowing mixture to thicken. Slice beef thin, against the grain. Serve hot. Basting juices over meat slices.

Pairs well over ginger rice, and steamed vegetables, or coconut rice with green beans.