Category: Sides

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

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.

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

Coconut Rice with Green Beans

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of medium grain white rice
  • 2 cups of Coconut Milk
  • 1/2 cup of chicken stock
  • 16 oz of cut green beans
  • 2 teaspoons of onion powder
  • Salt, and Pepper

In a medium sauce pan, warm milk, and stock. Add rice, and par cooked green beans (if frozen). Season with salt, and pepper. Stirring only once, simmer on low, covered for 10 minutes, or until the liquid has cooked off. Serve hot.

Ginger Rice

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of medium grain white rice
  • 2 cups of chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, chopped (sub 1 teaspoon of dry ginger)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of parsley
  • Oil, or butter for frying
  • Salt, and Pepper

In a medium sauce pan, sauté onion until caramelized, add rice, ginger, and parsley. Season with salt, and pepper, then add stock. Simmer on low, covered for 10 minutes, or until the liquid has cooked off. Serve hot.

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

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Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs of potatoes, grated
  • 3/4 of a cup of all purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • Oil for frying

Combine all ingredients. Set griddle to medium heat, or utilize a sauté pan. Use about 2 tablespoons of oil per pancake. Place dollop of batter in pan. Brown each side. Serve hot.

Traditionally these are served with apple sauce, or sour cream.

Lemon Vinaigrette

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  • 1/3 of a cup of red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
  • 2/3 of a cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Whisk vinegar, mustard, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl (or blender). Slowly stream olive oil into the mixture, and then the lemon juice all while whisking.

Pairs well with an Arugula Salad.