Honey Wheat Bread

Growing up it was my job to make bread every week. This wasn't for your average sized family with two to four children. I have 10 siblings and bread did not last us very long! I used a big silver bowl, my hands, and the largest bread pan I've ever seen to this day; a 12x4 three strap bread pan. You can imagine the amount of dough I had to work with! 

Now, nine years later, I'm back to making my own bread twice a week. And it's simple, just two small loafs. I tried a few and decided to stick with what I grew up doing, just minimized the recipe a bit and used Triticale Flour instead of whole wheat, giving it a healthy, lighter look.

There is nothing like walking into our small country home with the aroma of fresh bread right out of the oven. Hand me some butter and honey!

Honey Wheat Bread

makes two loaves

3 1/2 cups warm water

1 1/2 tsp yeast

1/4 cup honey

Place in a measuring bowl or mixing bowl and let the yeast proof, or rise and bubble. 

Mix In:

3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp salt

2 tbsp olive oil

and let it sit for a few minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups more of whole wheat flour and mix well. Let is sit for 15 minutes. The dough should be sticky and stretchy. After it rests, divide the dough in half and kneed with plenty of flour slowly forming into loaf. Put your dough into the prepared bread pans, lining with tin-foil or wax paper for easy release, and let it rise until the dough has risen slightly above the edge of the baking pans. 

Bake the bread @ 350° for 35 minutes.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

After giving in to the constant begging from my husband, I finally decided to whip up a batch of one of his favorite cookies. Call them what you may, Whoopie Pies, Oreo Cookies, Sandwich Cookies, they still taste the same and would make for a perfect Valentine's Day gift with pink frosting! Why didn't I think of that before? They taste wonderful! Here's the simple recipe. Enjoy!

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Cookie Ingredients

1-package devil's food cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Add oil and eggs to cake mix and blend together. Roll dough into balls. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet.

The rest is pretty explanitory! Spread and smash!

Cream Cheese Filling

1 stick butter

1 8oz package philly cream cheese

3-4 cups confectioner's sugar

1 tsp vanilla

(food coloring if desire)

Garden Pasta

I love budget meals! February was completely planning with weekly meals all fitting into our budget plan. It worked great and I found some wonderful recipes that incorporate healthy eating as well! This recipe was simple and delicious, taking less than an hour to put together. I had enough time to come home from work and have dinner on the table by 5:30 and the wonderful thing is half the ingredients were in storage from last years garden! Excellent & definitely a budget meal.

Garden Pasta

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 med. zucchini, diced

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 small carrot, chopped

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup chicken broth or stock

1 cup crushed tomatoes

Salt & Pepper

Directions

Heat a deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and garlic and saute until garlic sizzles. Add zucchini, onion, carrot and bay leaves. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the zucchini is tender and onion are translucent. 

Remove from stove and add the stock. Stir up any good gunk from the bottom of the pot. Add the tomato, salt and pepper, and parsley. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Done.

Valentine Desserts

Anybody getting ready for Valentine's Day? As far as delicious desserts go, I am on board! I'm excited to share a few recipes and get your minds rolling on what to prepare for your special someone in just a few weeks from now! Along with desserts, I'll add in few delightful, healthy meals, all in time for Valentines Day and before you start your monthly shopping! 

Cinnamon Love Knots
Yield: 3 dozen

 

Ingredients:

2 pckg active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup warm milk

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar 

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp salt

4 1/2 to 5 cups flour

Topping:

2 cups sugar

2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup melted butter

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water Let stand for 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Stir in enough flour to form stiff dough. Turn into a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch dough down; divide into three portions. Cover two with plastic wrap. Shape one portion into 12 balls, Roll each ball into an 8-in rope. 

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip rope into melted butter, then coat with cinnamon-sugar. Tie into a knot. Tuck and pinch ends under and place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!