Baking Delights: Baking breads and treats for your family

All About Soaked Grain Breads

Jonika asked me the other day about the process of soaking grains before making bread. I don’t know how many of you are aware that I am a big freak when it comes to organics, whole grains and nutrition… even though you might not think so here.  We spent several years as wholefoods vegans and then vegetarians before choosing to return to a omnivorius diet.

Anyway, exactly what is grain soaking and why in the world would you do it?

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By Marye -- 0 comments

Alsatian Quiche

I am not really sure why I started calling htis quiche recipe Alsatian, only that I did.  It isn’t at all a fancy thing; good stick to your ribs food really.  With having our own chickens, quiche is not only an easy meal, it is a cheap one.

The first time I ever tried quiche I ws 17.  I took my boyfriend’s mom, who I adored, out to shop at a local, upscale mall.  She was from Europe and had not been in the states too long.  We went to a restaurant that I thought she would like and as we were reading the menu I asked her what quiche was.

Her eyes twinkled and she said , “Oh, try that Chick, you will love it.”

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By Marye -- 2 comments

Ground Pork Enchiladas with Two Sauces

Sometimes I get really hungry for Mexican food.  I like the spiciness, the warmth of cumin and cilantro, the play of meat, spice, and grains.

Generally, Mexican restaurants make it too salty for me, and often not as flavorful as I would like.  I think that Mexican food, real Mexican food has a clean, fresh flavor that bounces around in your mouth for awhile, rather than the heavy, greasy stuff that bounces around in your stomach for awhile.

I had 2 lbs of ground pork.  I generally make a tourtiere for Marc at Christmas but this year I didn’t for two reasons.  One, I just didn’t have time and, two, I have been really frustrated with him lately.  Yeah, I am just that childish.

So, with the ground pork I had I decided on enchiladas.  I knew the flavors I wanted to taste in the sauce but I was unsure of how authentic it would be.  still don’t know about authentic but I can tell you this…

It was GOOD.

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By Marye -- 6 comments

First Surf of 2009!

There were some amazing things that were posted in 2008 but from what I can see 2009 is going to be even better.

Congrats to all the Daring Bakers who completed their challenges. Oh my gosh..the yule logs and cakes were amazing.  I ALMOST want to try all the variations that I saw. ;)

Please note the word ALMOST in that sentence.

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Cool Little Gadget and Almond Custard Pudding

A few weeks ago when I was in Home Depot I picked up a small butane torch with the idea that it would be great for meringues and creme brulee.  Plus, you know…playing with fire is fun.

I have been intrigued since I found out that Honey Baked Ham does their glaze with a torch, and I used one at the restaurant to help finish dishes.

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By Marye -- 12 comments

Has This Ever Happened to You?

So, everyone who knows me  in real life knows I have these amazingly vivid dreams.  Sometimes when I wake up I have trouble figuring out what is real and what is not.  I think I have reality issues anyway.

But, some of my best recipes have been created from a dream that I was eating something.  My dream last night was amazing.

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Perfect Honey Mustard Chicken Breast

Honey mustard chicken is one of those dishes that is quick, easy, and family friendly.  It is flavorful enough to make the most discriminating palate happy while being easy enough to serve for a busy weeknight supper.

You wanna talk versatile? Slice it on the diagonal and put it on top of organic baby herbs for an incredible, quick salad…put it in a tortilla, with some sliced, ripe heirloom tomatoes and you have a wrap.  Serve it with  some deep, black grapes, some artisan bread, and endive with oil and vinager and you have a picnic in the French countryside.  How can you miss? Read More - Perfect Honey Mustard Chicken Breast

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By Marye -- 2 comments

December Daring Bakers Challenge:French Yule Cake

This month’s challenge is brought to us by the adventurous Hilda from Saffron and Blueberry and Marion from Il en Faut Peu Pour Etre Heureux.
They have chosen a French Yule Log by Flore from Florilege Gourmand.

Florilège Gourmand is all in French and the hosts this month, Hilda of Saffron and Blueberry and Marion of Il en Faut Peu Pour Etre Heureux, created 12 pages of recipe for us to experiment with.

YAY.

Needless to say I will not be copying it off here.

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By Marye -- 28 comments

Saturday Blogsurfing

I hope that each of you had an awesome Christmas.  Ours was rather quiet but nice.  Kyrie pulled her new Ken doll out of her socking and her eyes went wide “CHRIS!” she screamed, “LOOK MAMA! Santa gave me Chris!”

Chris is our oldest son, currently serving in Iraq.  He has been turning heads since he was 2.  I have to admit that the Ken doll looks alot like him.   I like to think that Christopher is not quite so shallow as Ken..and I think that his smile is better…

Kyrie misses Chris a lot, more than I can really understand since he has been in the military for nearly the whole five years she has been in existence.  Maybe that is the reason.  Ethan and Shiloh and Matt have memories of Chris locking them in the dog crate when I left to run errands..Kyrie only knows him as a loving, doting, adult brother.

It really is all about perspectives, isn’t it?

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The Day After Christmas Blues

I always find the day after Christmas a bit of a let down.  It’s funny, this year I was battling the blues going in to Christmas so the Day After thing hasn’t been so bad.  I am not sure if that is good OR bad!

I don’t cook the day after a big food holiday.  I generally just leave the fridge door open (figuratively) and let everyone graze on whatever is left.  That means that Kyrie is probably high on sugar right now, Nick has eaten  nothing but fruit salad, Marc hasn’t eaten at all, and everyone else is somewhere in between their fourth helping of M&Ms and the left over ham. Read More - The Day After Christmas Blues

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