zucchini bread/muffins

Last week we had the chance to spend some time with our dear friends in Idaho. Here is a recipe that Siska shared with me and I just tried it today- its SO yummy!

Zucchini Bread/Muffins

By: Siska Reece
adapted by: ME!

Beat:
3 eggs
1 3/4 cup rapadura
1 cup coconut oil

Add and Stir:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Finally, mix in 2 cups grated zucchini, drained of juices. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans or 24 muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 1 hour (for bread) or 30(+or-) for muffins.

ENJOY!

Updated Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

OK, so I've been doing some tweaking with my whole wheat bread recipe, and I think I've finally found the perfect variation of the recipe. I've had consistent results and honestly this is THE best bread I have ever tasted. Try it and you'll be amazed :-)

Soaked Whole Wheat Bread

(for soaking)
5 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/2 cup buttermilk (you could also use kefir, yogurt)
1/2 cup of honey
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Put all the ingredients listed above in a bowl and mix together with a sturdy wooden spoon. Let it soak for 12-24 hours in a warm spot- preferably the oven with the oven light left on.

After soaking, activate the yeast by combining:
1/2 cup warm water
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp honey

After activating the yeast, combine it with the soaked flour and add the rest of the ingredients:
1 Tbsp sea salt
1/2 to 1 cup more of flour to make the dough kneadable
*you could also add dough enhancer at this time, if you use that. However I really don't think that this recipe needs it, so I don't add it.

Knead dough for about 10-12 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl and let rise for about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and divide into two loaves. Place into greased bread pans(I use coconut oil to grease the pans) and spread a generous amount of butter on top of loaves. Let them rise a second time until doubled, about 30-45 minutes (the best place is in the oven.. I turn the oven on the lowest temp for a few min and then turn it off, prior to putting the dough in). After second rise, turn the oven on to 375 degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes. Bread is done with its fully browned on all sides. Its best to let the bread rest in the pans for a few minutes, then you can take it out and let it cool on cooling racks. Its always best to let the bread cool on the racks, but you probably won't be able to resist the incredible aroma that the bread is giving off so you'll cut into the bread.... and if you do that, PLEASE be sure to put a VERY generous helping of butter on it, ok? You will not regret it! :-)

*******http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/2461/video-tutorial-shaping-sandwich-loaf
I found this video VERY helpful in instructing the perfect way to shape loaves as to not get tearing on the sides of loaves

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Whole Wheat Tortillas

3 cups wheat flour (I used whole wheat pastry, and whole wheat flour)
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup oil
If you would like to take advantage of the benefits of soaking, start with step 1, otherwise start with step 2.
1. Soaking Step: Combine all flour, water, oil and 1 Tbsp of acid medium (buttermilk, whey, kefir, etc). Soak 12-24 hours. Proceed to step 3.
2. Measure liquid ingredients into a mixing bowl.
3. Add baking powder and salt, kneading in the flour until the dough is workable but not too stiff. Add more flour if you need to. Let stand 10 minutes.
4. Shape into 8 – 10 balls and let stand 10 more minutes. Roll to form a 10 inch circle or use a tortilla press. The thicker the better, otherwise it starts to fall apart!

I got this recipe from:
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/
Speaking of which, you should go read her blog today because she has a phenomenal post on it! Do it! :-)

time for some new recipes

Lately, I have really been enjoying reading;
http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/

The next 3 recipes I will share with you all came from her. Reasons why I love them... 1) they are fairly healthy 2) you make them from scratch and 3) they are simple, and don't take too much time to make. You seriously need to try them, and let me know what you think! The Garlic Chicken Pasta is really creamy... it seriously tastes like there is heavy cream in it! The zucchini boats are a great way to mix meat and veg- really easy! And what can I say about the breakfast cake?.... its tasty and moist- I loved the oats in it!

Breakfast Cake
1 cup butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups whole rolled oats
¾ cup honey
2 eggs
1 t. sea salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla
1 cup raisins, chocolate chips or other dried fruit
Stir together butter, buttermilk, flour and oats in a glass bowl. Cover with a cloth and allow the grains to soak on your counter overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Stir in honey, eggs, salt, baking soda and vanilla. Fold in raisins, chocolate chips or dried fruit. Pour into a buttered 9×9 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.



Garlic Chicken Pasta
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite sized pieces (great way to use up leftover chicken)
1 clove garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or more if you like lots of garlic)
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 cups whole wheat pasta
3 cups whole milk
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 t. sea salt
grated parmesan cheese
In a skillet, saute chicken and garlic in olive oil. Turn to low heat to keep warm. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a big pot with the milk, butter and salt. Stir almost constantly, especially as the pasta is becoming tender and the milk is beginning to boil. Cook and stir over medium heat until pasta is tender and the starch from the pasta has thickened the milk, creating a creamy sauce. Stir in the chicken and serve immediately…sprinkling parmesan cheese on each serving.

Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats
3 small zucchini
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped tiny
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. chili powder
sea salt
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (I used medium cheddar)
Cut off the ends of the zucchini and boil them for about 10 minutes. In the meantime brown hamburger meat, onion, garlic powder and chili powder. Salt to taste.Slice cooked zucchini lengthwise. Use a fork and spoon to scrape out the middle of the zucchini and add it to cooked hamburger meat. Scoop equal amounts of hamburger mixture into each “boat”. Top with shredded cheese.Put in oven broiler for a couple of minutes until cheese is melted then serve right away.

I recently just got this cook book;


I tried this recipe for pancakes and they turned out AMAZING!! THE BEST pancakes I've ever had- for real.

Pancakes
makes 16-20
2 cups spelt, kamut, or whole wheat flour (I used half spelt and the other half whole wheat)
2 cups buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt (I used buttermilk)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tablespoons melted butter
Soak flour in buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt in a warm place for 12-24 hours. (Those with milk allergies may use 2 cups filtered water plus 2 tbsp whey, lemon juice or vinegar in place of undiluted buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt.) Stir in other ingredients (after you've soaked the flour for the 12-24 hours) and thin to desired consistency with water. Cook on a hot, oiled griddle or in a cast iron skillet. These pancakes cook more slowly than either unsoaked whole grain flour or white flour pancakes.

For more info on why soaking your grains is important, go read this blog entry;
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/whole-grains-grinding-soaking.html

Wishing you a happy, healthy home!
God bless!
-jess

resolutions & many other things

There is a few things I wanted to share with you...

2010 Resolutions (this is my list thus far...)
* these are in no particular order

1. exercise at least 3 days a week
2. be more organized about how/when I clean the house
3. eat more whole foods and less canned, processed, and crappy food. Cook meals by scratch. Experiment more with soaking grains.
4. learn more about photography
5. be more aware of the things that distract me from growing a deeper relationship with Christ and remove them from my life.



I have been reading thru the book 'Suffering and The Sovereignty of God' by John Piper and Justin Taylor. This is a fabulous book that will really challenge anything you have ever been taught about why God lets/permits/ordains/causes bad things to happen. I really encourage you to read it.

I really LOVE love love my chocolate chip cookie recipe. HOWEVER... I hate that it uses vanilla pudding (because it comes in a box), so I decided to try a new recipe today. Now, this new recipe isn't fabulous... it isn't near as good as my recipe. But it doesn't use anything from a box, and it seemed to work quite nicely using whole wheat pastry flour instead of all purpose. So here is the recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup )butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. hot water
1/4 tsp salt
1.5 c. chocolate chips
Directions
1. Cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg, then vanilla extract.
2. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt and mix. Mix flour and cream of tartar, then add them to the batter and mix it all up. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for an hour, even longer if possible.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add cookies to baking sheets in average sized portions. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool completely.








Well friends, have a lovely night celebrating together. Thanks for reading my random thoughts. Farewell 2009 and welcome 2010!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
Jeremiah 29:11

Cinnamon Roll Dough

My friend Jeanette told me about this awesome recipe, and said she had used it for Cinnamon Rolls. So I gave it a try and it is awesome and... EASY! Not healthy (because of the sugar and white flour), but come on man- sometimes you just gotta splurge! Whats really great about the recipe is that you do all the hard work, the night before. I think one thing that has prevented me in the past from making cinnamon rolls is the fact that you have to get up so early so have them ready for breakfast. If you're like me and don't want to get up at 4am to make breakfast than you will love this recipe!

So here is a classic recipe from my German Baptist cookbook ("Joys of Cooking"). Thanks for the recipe recommendation, Jeanette!

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Recipe by: Annie Bowman

2pkg. dry yeast
2 1/2 c. warm water
3/4 c. soft shortening or oil (I used coconut oil, and it worked great)
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs well beaten (I forgot to beat them, and couldn't tell a difference)
8-8 1/2 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp. salt

Soften yeast in warm water. Add shortening, eggs, sugar and 4 cups flour and salt. Stir and beat until smooth. Stir in the remaining flour. This will be a soft dough. Cover tightly (w/ plastic wrap) and put in refrigerator (overnight). *Divide in 3 portions and turn onto floured board. This may be used for dinner rolls, coffee cakes, tea rings, cinnamon rolls or raised doughnuts.

*I didn't divide the dough into 3 portions. I just dumped all of it onto the floured board, and rolled it into a rectangle for the cinnamon rolls.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Oki doki.... so today I'm gonna post the recipe of the wheat bread I was telling you about. It is awesome, and I think you will really enjoy it! So here it goes baby:


Honey Whole Wheat Bread


ingredients:
2 pkg. yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1/3 c. honey
1/4 c. shortening
1 Tbsp salt
1 3/4 c. warm water
3 c. whole wheat flour
butter

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 c. warm water. Stir in honey, shortening, salt, 1 3/4 c. warm water, and whole wheat flour. Beat until smooth.


In addition to the 3 c. of flour you've already added, add a little more (enough to make the dough easy to handle) if necessary.

Knead for 10 minutes.


First Rise: Transfer dough to a large greased bowl. Once the dough is in the bowl, flip it over so that the top of the dough gets greased. Cover bowl with a dishtowel. Place bowl in warm place to raise until double (about 1 hour)
Second Rise: Punch dough down, flip over, cover, and let raise until double again (about 30-45 minutes).
Third Rise:Punch dough down and remove from bowl to a greased countertop. Knead a few times, then cut dough into 2 lumps. Shape loaves and place in buttered bread pans. Cover pans with dishtowels and place them in a warm place to raise one more time – until double (about 30 minutes).

Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes.

ENJOY! And make sure to at least smother one piece with Nutella!


love,
your friend-
jess

THE best Whole Wheat Chocochip Cookies!

Jessica's Whole Wheat Chocochip Cookies:




1 3/4- 2 cups of whole wheat flour (try 1 3/4 first, and then if the dough still feels too moist, then add in the last bit of flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 (4 serving size) pkg. instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips


Cream butter and sugars.


Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.

Add flour, soda and pudding & mix.

Then add chocolate chips.

Bake at 374 for 8-10 minutes. Makes around 7 dozen.

Note: For Chocolate CHOCOLATE Chip Cookies, substitute chocolate flavored instant pudding. These are delicious!

I made these 2 days ago, and the are GONE! haha! The recipe uses alot of butter, so next time I think that I'm going to sub half of the butter for flax seed. I'll let you know how it turns out :-)

Great Grandma Ruby's Oatmeal Cookies

Great Grandma Ruby's Oatmeal Cookies

3 cups oatmeal
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup veg. oil
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all dry ingredients. In bowl, add eggs, milk, vanilla and oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls. Press the ball so that its semi-flat. Then print it with a fork. Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes to suit your taste.

I've gone bananas...

Personally I can't stand the taste of bananas, but the husband love them. So there became a dilemma when the bananas would get a little over ripe. Actually we would just throw them away- so wasteful. Anyway, I found this great recipe for banana bread, and my husband loves it! Even though I don't like the flavor of the bananas, I don't mind the mildness of it in the bread. Try it!

Easy Banana Nut Bread

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. crisco
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 c flour (I used white flour but next time am going to try wheat)
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. nuts (pecans or walnuts)
Cinnamon & Nutmeg (however much you like)

Mix together sugar, Crisco and bananas until well blended. Then add rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle in as much cinnamon and nutmeg as you like and stir the mixture so its all incorporated. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan ( I don't have a loaf pan so I used muffin tin pan). Bake at 350 for 1 hour (if your using the muffin pan then put them in for 30 min- 45 min.) Enjoy! :-)