Homemade Baguette

2 Baguette

Ingredients:

2 cup warm water, 110 degrees F (45 degrees C)

1 tbsp yeast

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp sugar

2 tsp salt

5 cup (up to 5 1/2) bread flour

Instructions:

Dissolve yeast in warm water and sugar in large bowl; allow to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).

Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.

Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Place in an oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled.

Punch down and divide in half.

Shape dough into two long, slender loaves.

Grease a french bread pan or large cookie sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal slits on top of each loaf (I use scissors).

Cover and let rise until doubled.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes.

* You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.

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Pretzel Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar (or granulated)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 6 cups water
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Mix brown sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
2. Combine oil and 1 cup water and add this to the sugar and yeast mix.
3. Add the flour and mix, dough should not be sticky.
4. Knead the dough for a few minutes.
5. Divide dough into 12 balls and shape into balls
6. Let rise on greased foil cover sheet for 20-30 minute until double in size.
7. Meanwhile, bring 6 cups water and baking soda to a simmer in a wide pan with straight sides and preheat oven to 375.
8. Place 4 rolls in the water for 1 minute on each side.
9. Drain and place on cookie sheet.
10. Repeat with remaining rolls.
11. Brush rolls with egg white and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
12. Slash with a sharp blade on top to create a decorative look.
13. Bake until 'pretzel' brown, about 12-15 minutes.

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Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients

Dough

3/4 cup whole milk

2 1/4 tsp instant yeast

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 tbs granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tsp cinnamon

Vanilla Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-4 tbs cream

Instructions

Heat milk until it reaches 105 degrees either on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir in yeast packet and sugar and let it sit until the top becomes thick and frothy, about 3 minutes. Pour mixture into bowl of stand mixer and add melted butter, beaten egg and salt. Mix until combined. Add half of the flour and mix on low speed. Once combined, add the rest 1/4 cup at a time until the dough is sticky but workable and doesn't get stuck on your hands. Once dough is together, knead for another 5 minutes on low speed.

Work dough with your hands to form a ball. Grease a large bowl, or use the same bowl, and place dough in. Cover and set dough in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. I like to turn my oven on to 200 degrees, turn it off and place the bowl in there.

Once doubled in size, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle shape. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Brush on melted butter and cover in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cut dough length-wise into 5 long strips. Stack them on top of each other. Cut 6-7 sections across your stacks.

Grease a 9x5" loaf pan and loosely stagger your stacks in the pan. If they aren't snug to the edges of the pan, don't worry about it. It will bake up fine. If there is extra cinnamon sugar that spilled off while transferring the stacks into the pan, don't waste it! Sprinkle it on top of the dough in the pan. Cover dough with plastic wrap and allow to sit for 45 minutes to an hour until it doubles again in size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 22-27 minutes or until very lightly browned on top. Remove from oven, run a knife around the edges and allow to cool in pan for 20 minutes. During this time, whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside (add more cream/milk for desired consistency). Flip pan over and very carefully remove loaf and set on a large plate or platter. Drizzle glaze on top and serve!

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Soup

INGREDIENTS

3 cups low or no-sodium beef broth

1 (28oz. can) petite diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. dried oregano leaves

1/4 tsp. coarse black pepper

2 Tbsp. olive oil

8 oz. sliced mushrooms 

1 green bell pepper

1 small onion

4 slices pre-cooked bacon 

4 oz. sliced pepperoni

1/2 of a loaf of Italian bread 

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

instructions

Turn on the broiler and position the rack 6-8 inches from the heat source.

Put a large pot or Dutch oven on high heat. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano and black pepper. Stir and cover. When it comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the mushrooms. Stir. Chop the green pepper roughly and add it to the mushrooms. Stir. Chop the onion and add it as well. Stir. Chop the bacon and add it. Chop the pepperoni and and add it. Stir. Stir occasionally until onions and peppers are softened a bit.

Cut the bread into 4 thick slices. Put the bread on a broiler pan and put it under the broiler to toast it lightly. Remove and flip it over. Put 1/4 cup of the cheese onto each bread slice. Return it to under the broiler just until melted and browned in spots, 1-3 minutes.

Stir the mushroom mixture into the soup. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with some of the remaining cheese. Serve with the cheese toast.

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Soda Bread Rolls

6 bread rolls

Ingredients:

150g | 1 1/4 cup plain flour, plus more for dusting
50g | 2/5 cup wholemeal flour
2 tbsp rolled oats
1-2 tbsp caster sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch cumin
Pinch turmeric
200 ml | 3/4 cup buttermilk
Handful mixed seeds (pumpkin, sesame, linseed, sunflower)
2 tbsp butter, melted to brush on rolls

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200C | 400F.
2. Put all the all the ingredients apart from the buttermilk and seeds into a large bowl. Mix together to get rid of any lumps.
3. Make a well in the centre then add most of the buttermilk. Mix together with a spoon until a soft dough forms. If it's too dry add a little more buttermilk.
4. Dust some flour onto your work top and tip the dough on it. Gently pat it into a disk and cut into 6 equal pieces.
5. Form each piece into a roll and cut a deep cross on top. Place the rolls on a tray lined with baking paper. Brush the rolls with the melted butter and sprinkle with the seeds.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until nicely coloured and hollow sounding. If it's not ready after 30 minutes, turn over and cook for another 5 minutes. Best eaten on same day as baking.

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Black Olive Bread Rolls

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups semolina flour
• 3 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1½ cups pitted oil-cured, broken up coarsely with your hands
• ½ cup water
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS

To Mix Dough By Hand:

1. Add all ingredients except for olives, cornstarch and ½ cup of the water to a large mixing bowl and stir together with a sturdy wooden spoon until you form a shaggy but cohesive dough. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, covered with a clean towel. Turn out onto a lightly floured counter top and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a clean bowl, cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

To Mix Dough By Stand Mixer:

1. Add all ingredients except for olives, cornstarch and ½ cup of the water to the work bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Turn mixer onto the lowest setting and mix until a shiny, elastic dough forms. Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover the bowl with a damp towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

To Mix Dough By Bread Machine:

1. Add all ingredients except for olives, cornstarch and ½ cup of the water to the pan of your bread machine that has been fitted with the dough paddle(s). Set the bread machine on the dough setting and press start. When the cycle is completed, proceed with shaping…

To Shape the Rolls:

1. Line two baking sheets with silpats or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Turn the dough out onto a clean and very lightly floured surface or silicone mat. Roll it out into a rectangle that is about 12-inches by 18-inches. Scatter the olives over the surface of the dough, leaving about an inch clear of olives on the side farthest from you.
3. Gently lift the edge closest to you and fold away from yourself over the olives.
4. Continue to carefully lift and roll the dough away from you until you have a long tube. Pinch the seam closed.Use a bench knife or serrated knife to cut the dough into 16 equally-sized pieces.
5. Hold a piece of dough with the cut sides out. Use your thumbs to pull the top of the dough over the cut sides toward the bottom. Push that up under the roll toward the center, rotate the dough ball a half turn and repeat. Put the dough ball on the counter and cup your hand around it, rotating in one direction until the top of the dough is taut. (See the video in the blog post for an example of how to do this.) Place this on your lined baking sheets. Repeat, leaving plenty of room between the rolls for expansion in rising and baking.
6. Cover the rolls with a tea towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes, or until they look a little puffy.
7. While they rise, use a fork to whisk a small amount of the water into the cornstarch in a microwave safe container or a small saucepan, forming a paste. Use the fork to whisk in the remaining water and microwave on HIGH for 30-60 seconds or boil until it is glassy.
8. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush the rolls with the cornstarch glaze and use a sharp knife to make three to four cuts of about ⅛-inch deep each to the top of the roll. I like to do a scallop pattern, but you could also do a tic-tac-toe pattern. This allows the roll to expand while baking without tearing that beautifully taut top you worked so hard to create.
9. Bake for 23-26 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the rolls to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

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Easy Cheesy Garlic Breads

Ingredients:

1 (10 ounce) can prepared pizza crust
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Unroll pizza dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with butter and garlic mixture.
4. Sprinkle cheeses and spices evenly over the dough.
5. Use a pizza cutter and cut dough into stick shapes (Lengthwise into 7 long strips and crosswise into 3 strips). Do not seperate strips.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown.
7. Recut along each strip and remove from cooking sheet.
8. Serve sticks warm with marinara sauce.

Enjoy it!

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Monkey Bread (Cinnamon bites)

Ingredients:

DOUGH

·         1 package (2 and 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast (recommended: Red Star Platinum)

·         1/4 cup warm water (110F-115F)

·         1 and 1/4 cups warm 2% milk (110F-115F, 2% or higher milk fat, no lower)

·         1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

·         1/4 cup granulated sugar

·         2 large eggs

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         5 cups all-purpose flour

COATING

·         3/4 cup unsalted butter

·         1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar

·         1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

·         2/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

VANILLA GLAZE

·         1 cup (120g) confectioners' sugar

·         3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream (or milk for a less creamy texture)

·         1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1.     Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir it around a bit and let it sit for about 2 minutes. Add the milk, melted butter, sugar, eggs, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes (using a dough hook if you have a stand mixer or using a hand mixer). By hand add enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. About 5 cups total.

2.     Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Do not over-knead, which will yield a tough, chewy bread. The dough is ready when it is smooth and when you can poke it with a finger and it springs back. Form dough into a smooth ball and place into a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. I greased the bowl with cooking spray. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

3.     Make the coating: melt 1/2 cup of butter in a small bowl. Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together in another small bowl. Set aside. You will use the rest of the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla later.

4.     Spray a 10-12 cup bundt pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Punch the cold dough down very gently to allow the air bubbles to release. Pull apart pieces and roll into balls, about 1.25 inches in diameter. You will need 40-45 balls total, so be modest with their size. Dip each ball, one by one, in the melted butter and then generously roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them. You may need more cinnamon-sugar depending how heavy you coat each ball. Arrange them in the bundt pan as you go. If you did not use Red Star Platinum yeast, cover the pan and allow dough balls to rise again for about 45 minutes at room temperature. If you did use Red Star Platinum yeast, move ahead to the next step and bake right away.

5.     Preheat oven to 350F. Melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter and whisk in the brown sugar and vanilla until combined. Pour the buttery mixture over the dough balls in the bundt pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top. Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly. Cool for 5-10 minutes and invert onto a large serving plate.

6.     Top with the glaze. Simply whisk all of the glaze ingredients together and pour over the bread. You may either cut the bread into generous slices or let everyone pick off the gooey pieces themselves. Monkey bread tastes best served on the same day, but will stay fresh for 3 days if stored covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

 

Enjoy it! 

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