July 28, 2008

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Here's a bread recipe I give out a lot for using home ground wheat. It is the most fail-proof, easiest one I've tried. The vital wheat gluten (found in the bread/baking aisle) helps it rise very well and gives it a good texture.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread
2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp yeast
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup oil
1 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp vital wheat gluten
about 6 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour (approximately 4 cups wheat)

Mix first 6 ingredients, then slowly work in enough flour to make a soft dough that is not sticky but not dry.
Place directly in greased loaf pans (only one rise is needed) and let rise until top is 2 inches or so above rim of pan.
Bake at 325 for about 30 minutes.
Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then remove to cooling rack.
If desired, brush top with butter.
Cool completely before bagging.
Makes 2 hearty healthy loaves.

Mini Banana Bread

No need for a mixer for this recipe. I like to make the mini loaves because, for some reason, they always turn out better for me and cook more evenly than one large loaf.
4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla.
Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.
Add the flour last, mix.
Pour mixture into a greased 4 mini loaf pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack.

July 27, 2008

Easy Americana Flag Decoration

This seriously took me maybe two hours, it's just made of material and buttons, and fabric glue.
You can make any size you want. I made mine to fit an 11X13 frame. I cut the white fabric 10" by 12". Then I cut the blue square to the size I though looked best. Next I just cut the red strips (no need for straight lines). I cut the start out of paper first and then pinned my little template to the fabric to make my star just right. Use fabric glue to put everything together and you're done!