Multi-Tasking Mommy Recipes

Apple Brownies

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:11:00 +0000

Have you gone apple picking and are looking for another recipe to use up some of your apples? I've got the perfect one!

These apple brownies are sinful, they really are! I bet they won't last a weekend in your house.

Apple Brownies

2/3 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup peeled, chopped apples (small pieces)

Directions for the Brownies:
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add in the flour, baking powder and apples, and stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined—don’t over mix.
Spread batter in a greased 9 by 13-in. baking pan and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely before icing.

Icing:
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup milk
2 cups icing sugar

Directions for the Icing:
To make the icing, melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the brown sugar and milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, let cool and stir in the icing sugar. Spread onto cooled brownies.

Store 'N Make Pancakes

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:34:00 +0000

sTORE 'N MAKE PANCAKES

3 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt (you could omit this)

Whisk these dry ingredients together and transfer into an airtight container. This will store up to 3 months.

To make pancakes, scoop out 1 cup of the dry mixture and add 1 beaten egg, 1 cup buttermilk (can do 1 cup milk or half and half), 1/4 tsp vanilla and 1 Tbsp melted butter (can omit this if you wish) and stir together.

Fry up pancakes in griddle.

Remember....never pat a pancake!

MTM's Shepherd's Pie

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:45:00 +0000

MTM's Shepherd's Pie
Potatoes:
approx 2 lbs peeled, diced potatoes
1/2 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 cup sour cream

Cook potatoes, drain and stir in remaining ingredients. Let potatoes remain in pot until rest of recipe has been prepared.

Beef
1 lb ground beef (I used lean or xtra lean)
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
shake Lawry's seasoned salt
pepper to taste

Cook beef until browned. Drain off fat and add seasoning, stir.

Steam 4 carrots and some corn (I cut off 2 cobs of corn). You could also add beans or other veggies as well.

Sauce
5 Tbsp butter
5 Tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups chicken broth

Melt butter in saucepan. Whisk in flour and salt then slowly add broth until thick and creamy.

Layer beef in bottom of casserole dish, then veggies.
Add sauce.
Top with potatoes and then top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese has melted.

Pizza Dough

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:57:00 +0000

For years now, I have been playing around with various pizza dough recipes. I find making pizza for dinner one of the easiest dinners to make and everyone seems to always love it.

My one challenge, however, is to make my homemade pizza taste as delicious as take out and have yet to meet the challenge.

I'm getting closer though.

I suspect it's because ours is healthier somehow, I swear the pizza places must brush their crusts in butter and use some type of really special cheese. Any thoughts?

Anyhow, here are two of my favourite recipes:

The one that I made lately uses Semolina flour because when I read the ingredients on the bag of fresh dough you can buy at the grocery stores, they use it. After some research, semolina flour supposedly makes your dough more stretchy. I did find the dough much easier to roll out, usually I roll it and it shrinks!

Pizza Dough with Semolina Flour
adapted from Rose's Recipes
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semolina flour
1 T active dry yeast
1 T sugar
1 t salt
3 T olive oil
1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix warm water, sugar and active dry yeast and let sit until the yeast gets bubbly. Give the yeast a good stir at this point.

Meanwhile, combine the flour, semolina flour and salt in a mixing bowl (I used my Kitchen Aid to make this dough).

Add the olive oil to the warm water mixture and then mix in with the dry ingredients.

Knead for a good 5 minutes (either with hands or mixer) and place in a well oiled bowl. Roll your ball of dough in the oil and cover with a damp tea towel.

Let rise for one hour in a warm place.

Roll your dough out (I cut mine into four servings), make pizzas to your liking and bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes at 425 degrees.

Here is my other pizza dough recipe. I find this one tastes yummy, but the dough is so hard to roll out nice and thin and therefore it turns out rather bready.

Pizza Dough:

1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the ingredients in and mix.

Dump onto a floured surface.

Knead into a smooth dough (five minutes or so).
(or you can use a mixer for this)

Roll out and press down onto pizza pan.

Add toppings.

Bake at 450 degrees F. for around 12-15 minutes until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned.

Other pizza tips:

I often sprinkle cornmeal on my baking pans before placing the dough down to prevent it from sticking.

You can try brushing your dough with olive oil prior to placing the sauce down. Some people also recommend sprinkling some salt on the dough prior to your sauce.

My hubby likes his ingredients on top of the cheese layer so that it all gets nicely cooked. I'm going to start this with my pizza as well.

I read somewhere on a blog that when it comes to the temperature of your water that you put your yeast into, "If you wouldn't bathe your kid in it don't put your yeast in it." I just love this advice and it is so true!

MTM's Chocolate Chip Cookies

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:31:00 +0000

It has taken me forever to finally get a recipe that I really love and will stick with and now I have got it.

Typically my mentality is to not mess with baking recipes when it comes to making them healthier, but I've been challenged to do so, so I am going to try. What I plan on doing is substituting some of the butter/shortening for applesauce and cutting down on the salt. I will let you know my results once I have done this.

MTM's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions
1) Cream together butter, shortening and sugars.
2) Add eggs and mix well. Add vanilla and blend again.
3) Stir together dry ingredients and gradually add them to the cookie dough a bit at a time.
4) Stir in chocolate chips.
5) Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. You can make them crispier or chewier depending on cooking time. All ovens vary.
Note: I used to bake on parchment paper, but have since learned that cookies don't cook properly unless they go straight on the cookie sheet.

This recipe makes approximately 3 dozen cookies. Make it a challenge in your family to see how long they can actually last! Good luck :)

Carrot Muffins

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:22:00 +0000

My family ate these muffins up so fast, I had to quickly save some for the freezer (to use in lunches) before they all disappeared. They are a healthy snack alternative.

This recipe has been adapted by a recipe found in Everyday Food, Jan/Feb 2010 issue

Carrot Muffins

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup oats
1/2 cup raisins
3 Tbsp oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
4 carrots, shredded
1 ripe banana, mashed

Directions
Whisk together all dry ingredients. Add raisins.
Add oil, egg, milk, carrots and banana and mix until blended.
Fill muffin cups that have been wiped with oil with 1/4 cup batter. Batter will seem very chunky and not like your typical muffin batter.

Bake at 400 degrees F for approximately 23 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

MTM Poaches Chicken

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:13:00 +0000

Poached chicken turns out so moist and can be quite flavourful. Not only is it so easy to do, but it also means that half of your meal prep can be done earlier in the day or even the night before.

How do you poach chicken?

Put enough liquid (water or chicken stock both work fine) in a shallow pot so that your boneless, skinless chicken breasts will be well covered. You can add whatever you like to the water in order to flavour enhance the chicken. Some suggestions are onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt, pepper and any other spices that suite chicken like thyme or rosemary.

Bring the liquid to a boil and then add the chicken breasts. Turn down to a simmer on low heat and cook for approximately 3 minutes.

Remove pot from burner, cover and let stand for approximately 17 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside.

I never trust myself when cooking chicken, so I always end up cooking a piece right in half to check for doneness.

Cool the chicken for an hour or so out of the liquid and then put in a covered dish in the fridge for later use.

This chicken goes really well as a chicken salad, shredded chicken sandwiches, chicken quesadillas or any other recipe that requires cooked, chopped chicken.

What's For Dinner? Macaroni and Cheese

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:21:00 +0000

MTM's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients
2 cups dry macaroni noodles
2 cups milk
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1) Boil pasta until cooked in salted water.
2) In a microwave safe bowl (I use an 8 cup measuring cup so it is easy to remove when you need to stir), mix together the milk, butter and flour. Microwave in 1 minute intervals until thick sauce has formed, stirring in between minutes.
3) Season sauce with salt and pepper.
4) Stir in 2 cups shredded cheese.
5) Pour sauce over drained pasta and stir together.
6) Place macaroni in an oven safe dish.
7) Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.

This freezes well or place in fridge until ready to cook.
Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. You may wish to cover with foil so the cheese doesn't burn on the top.

SciFi Dad's Beef and Barley Soup

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:51:00 +0000

Beef + Barley Soup

2 tbsp cooking oil
2 medium onions
3 cloves of garlic
2lb flank steak
12 cups beef stock
2 cups water
1 cup pearl barley
3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 kg bag of frozen mixed vegetables (Green Giant)
1 680ml can tomato sauce

1. Finely chop onion, rasp garlic, and fry in bottom of large stock pot (10-15 minutes)
2. Chop steak into small pieces and add to pot, cook until no pink remains
3. Add stock and water to pot, stir
4. Rinse barley and add to pot, stir
5. Add remaining vegetables to pot, stir
6. Add tomato sauce, stir
7. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 3 hours.

Notes:
1. While cooking, skim fat off top of pot.
2. Soup freezes really well.
3. Soup will be hearty; can be watered down when reheating.

Poor Man's Pudding

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:04:00 +0000

I have never liked the name of this dessert. My Mom used to make this for a Sunday night dessert in my house. I now know why it was a regular in our family, it is so easy to make and it does taste delish!

Poor Man's Pudding
Mix together the following ingredients in a casserole dish (I often use a square one):
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
a couple of handfuls of raisins

Then, sprinkle 1 cup of brown sugar over stop of mixture.
Mix together 1 Tbsp butter with 1 cup hot water and 1 Tbsp vanilla.
Pour over casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

For more sauce, add a bit more sugar and hot water.

MTM's Chocolate Chip Cookies

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:24:00 +0000

MTM's Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from AllRecipes.com

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup golden shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 bag milk chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (I ended up cooking mine at 340 degrees, but that is probably just my oven)
2. In a mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then mix in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually mix (at low speed) into the creamed mixture, making sure to scrape down the sides. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded (I use a meatballer) spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Overnight French Toast with Berry Sauce

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:23:00 +0000

MTM's Overnight Baked French Toast

Ingredients
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk (the higher fat the milk, the creamier the french toast)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
shake of salt
1 french loaf sliced into 1 inch slices

Directions
Slice french loaf and set aside.
Mix all other ingredients together with a whisk in a baking dish (I used a 9x13 glass dish).
Add bread and soak for 15 minutes.
Turn bread over, cover pan and place in fridge over night.

Place bread onto a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until golden.

Serve with berry sauce or pure maple syrup.

Berry Sauce
Frozen berries of your choice
A few spoonfuls of sugar.

Thaw berries and mix with sugar mashing slightly with fork. You can serve it cold or warm it up in the microwave before serving.

Yum! Yum!

MTM's EASY Oatmeal Squares

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:19:00 +0000

If you are ever in a situation where you have someone drop in on you and you wished you had a treat to serve them, then this recipe is for you. It is quick and easy and simply sinful!

MTM's EASY Oatmeal Squares

1) In a square, GLASS baking dish, melt 1/2 cup margarine (or butter if you prefer). Mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 tsp flavour extract (vanilla, almond, whatever you prefer). Combine 2 cups oats (not instant) with the butter/sugar mixture and press into pan.

2) Microwave the mixture for approximately 2 minutes.

3) Cool (you can stick it in the freezer for 10 minutes or so to speed up the cooling/hardening process.

4) Enjoy! Don't expect leftovers :)

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Cherry Squares

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Cherry Squares

Bottom
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 sugar
1 cup flour

Mix the above using an electric mixer (I use my Kitchen Aid). Press this mixture into the bottom of a parchment paper lined square (9 inch) pan and bake for approximately 15 minutes at 350 degrees, until light golden in colour.

Topping:
1 can sweetened condensed milk (300 ml)
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup chopped candied cherries
2 oz chocolate squares (your choice of chocolate)

Combine condensed milk and butter and melt in a saucepan until bubbling. Once it begins to boil, stir constantly for another 3 minutes. Add vanilla and cherries and remove from heat, stirring to combine.

Pour over top of bottom and return to 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes, until bubbly and light golden in colour.

Melt chocolate squares and drizzle over top of pan.

Cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Scrumptious Shortbread

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:12:00 +0000

MTM's Shortbread
1 lb soft butter
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornstarch
3 cups flour

With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
Gradually add cornstarch and beat well.
Gradually add flour and beat until very smooth.
Drop by small teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 270 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.

The trick to perfectly baked shortbread? Don't over bake by watching them towards the end every minute. Your shortbread should have no brown on the bottom!

Enjoy!

Fantastic Fudge Brownies

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I'm baking up a storm for my girlfriend's Bachelorette Pre-Party this coming weekend. I need to make things that will freeze well because I cannot make all of it the day of. These brownies freeze really well in between layers of waxed paper. Be careful not to over bake.

Fantastic Fudge Brownies
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 heaping Tbsp cocoa
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup flour
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together. Add cocoa and mix. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix. Add flour and mix well.
Fold in walnuts.
Pour into greased (or lined with parchment) 9x13 pan.
Bake in 350 degrees oven for 40 minutes.

Icing:
2 cups icing sugar
2 Tbsp butter, softened
2 Tbsp cocoa
2 Tbsp boiling water
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a mixer. You may wish to sift the icing sugar.
Spread icing immediately on hot brownies.

Snack: The Fastest Oatmeal Squares in History!

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Use an 8 inch square baking dish.

Melt 1/2 cup margarine in the microwave in 8 inch dish.
Add 1/2 tsp almond or vanilla extract.
Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar.
Mix well to combine.
Add 2 cups rolled oat (not instant).
Mix well and press down.
Cook on high for approximately 4 minutes.
Cool slightly and cut.

Ok, how was that for 5 minute squares?
AWESOME!
Makes a great treat for the lunch box.

Royal Icing Recipe

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:29:00 +0000

This recipe was sent to me from my blogging friend Kerry from Cards by Kerry. Thank you so much Kerry because I just love this recipe! The icing actually tastes yummy (unlike some sugar cookie icing, I find) and it hardens perfectly. It is also easy to work with!

Here are some photos on Kerry's blog of her sugar cookies with royal icing.

Royal Icing
2&1/2 cups icing sugar
2 tbsp water (try milk next time)
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp light corn syrup
½ tsp vanilla or almond extract

Combine sugar, water, butter, corn syrup and vanilla in small bowl. Mix until sugar is moistened.
Beat at medium speed until smooth adding more water if needed.
Tint with colour if desired.

Note: dries hard so cookies can be stacked

MTM's Sugar Cookie Recipe

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:02:00 +0000

After trying out many, many different sugar cookie recipes. I have finally found the one that I will be using from now on and I have made it my own!

I have learned a few things about making sugar cookies. Let me share my tips:

Place dough in between two pieces of parchment paper, roll out and place in fridge for at least an hour before cutting out cookies

Place cut out cookies on baking sheet and place back in the fridge for 10 minutes before cooking in order to keep the best shape

Keep cooked cookies on the pan for 3 minutes prior to removing them to a cooling rack

Use icing sugar instead of flour for rolling surface (if the parchment doesn't work for you)

MTM's Sugar Cookie Recipe

1 cup unsalted butter (you can use salted butter and omit the salt)
1.5 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla (can use almond or a mix)
3.5 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Sugar Cookies:
In electric mixer, beat 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp) and 1.5 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla - Beat until combined. Add 3.5 cups flour, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. baking powder until smooth. Divide dough in half and place between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll out dough to desired thickness - store in fridge 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350. - Put cookies back into fridge for 10-15 minutes to prevent spreading. Bake cookies for 10 minutes or so (depends on size of cookie). Keep on pan for 3 minutes and remove to cooling rack.

Great Pumpkin Recipes

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:26:00 +0000

I call my Mom a "Pumpkin Snob". She will only make and/or eat pumpkin recipes that contain "real" pureed pumpkin.

Although I agree with her that "real" pumpkin tastes much different than canned pumpkin, I don't mind cooking with canned. However, seeing as though pumpkins are in season right now, I have baked quite a bit of my own fresh pumpkin and I have frozen it in 1/2 cup portions to use in all of my baking.

Here is how I cook my pumpkin:
Place small pie pumpkin in microwave (after washing it well). Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes (depending on size) in order to soften it so that it is easy to cut.

Cut pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and "guck". Cut off stem.

Place in roasting pan of 9x13 pan rind side down. Fill with about 1/2 cup of water and cover tightly with foil.

Bake at 325 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until knife slides in easily.

Cool and transfer to blender with a bit of water to puree.

Tammy at Tammy's Recipes posts "In Season Recipe Swaps" and she has some lovely sounding pumpkin recipes for this fall. Her site is a must to check out.

MTM's Thanksgiving Contribution: Carrots L'Orange

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:43:00 +0000

I LOVE this recipe. It's so fast, easy and delish!

Carrots L'Orange adapted from Winners: The Best of Bridge p. 153

1-2 bags of carrots, sliced
2-3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground ginger
pinch of salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup butter (this is what makes the sauce "creamy")

Cook carrots.

In a separate pot, combine sauce ingredients. Use a whisk and stir constantly until thickened. Boil for a minute or so. Stir in butter until melted and pour over drained carrots. You can chop some fresh parsley to go on top.

What's Baking? MTM's Banana Bread

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:17:00 +0000

MTM's Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla
2- 2 1/2 large bananas, mashed
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
handful chocolate chips, nuts or raisins (optional)

Directions:
Beat butter until light and fluffy.
Add sugars and beat well.
Add egg, egg whites, vanilla and beat until well blended.
Add mashed banana and beat on high speed for 30 seconds.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, ending with flour mixture.
Add extras (chocolate chips etc.) and mix well.
Pour batter into bottom greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F until browned and toothpick comes out clean, approximately 1 hour.
Cool bread in pan on a wire rack.
To keep fresh, wrap in saran wrap when cooled and store in an airtight container--if it even lasts that long!

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What's For Dinner? Homemade Pizza

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:59:00 +0000

MTM's Favourite Pizza Dough Recipe

Pizza Crust:

1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F.)
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups flour

Directions:
Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the ingredients in and mix.
Dump onto a floured surface .
Knead into a smooth dough (five minutes or so).
Roll out and press down onto a greased pizza pan.
Add toppings.
Bake at 450 degrees F. for around 12-15 minutes until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned.

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What's Baking? Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:48:00 +0000

Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups shredded, unpeeled zucchini
2, 1oz squqres unsweetened chocolate, melted
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 to 1 cup raisins or chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat eggs well. Gradually stir in sugar, then oil and vanilla.

Stir in zucchini (I like to use my Cuisinart to shred the zucchini in 2 seconds) and melted chocolate.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together.

Stir into batter with nuts or raisins.

Pour batter into two greased loaf pans.

Bake 45 minutes.

Cool in pans 10 minutes and then cool on wire racks.

These freeze really well for when company is coming over last minute.

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What's For Dinner? Buttermilk Biscuits

circleoflifeblog@gmail.com (Multi-tasking Mommy) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:18:00 +0000

We do love biscuits in our house! A warm, homemade biscuit is a welcomed addition to any meal ;)

I have sampled many recipes for biscuits and the one I am about to share with you is our absolute favourite!

It is from Martha herself, but unfortunately, she doesn't have a link to it on her website.

Buttermilk Biscuits
4 cups flour
2 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into bits
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Note: I actually use salted butter and omit the added salt and the recipe works just fine for me.

Preheat oven to 450 F (I found that 425F was better for our oven).
In a food processor (you can use a pastry blender instead), pulse dry ingredients to combine. Add cold butter and pulse until mixture is the texture of course meal, with a few pea sized pieces of butter remaining.
Add buttermilk and pulse just until dough is moistened (2-3 times).

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead just to combine. Roll out to 3/4 inch thickness and cut using 2 1/2 inch round biscuit cutter.

Transfer to a baking sheet. You can brush biscuits with melted butter if you like.

Bake until biscuits are puffed and golden, 12-15 minutes (I found 10 minutes worked best).

Serve warm or at room temperature.

You can freeze these biscuits by cutting them out and placing them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Flash freeze in freezer and transfer to a zip lock bag.

To cook from frozen, place dough on a baking sheet and bake at 450F for 20-25 minutes.

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