Whole Wheat Bread

This tried and true bread recipe was passed on to me years ago from a friend and we have enjoyed it regularly ever since. I use freshly ground flour from white wheat berries (if you don't have your own wheat grinder it's worth it to invest in one) and the flavor and texture tops a loaf of white bread any day. Not only that, it's relatively simple to make. Servings: 2 loaves

Ingredients:
2/12 c. very warm (not hot) water
1 1/2 T yeast
1 T salt
2 c. + 4 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. honey

To Prepare:
1. In a measuring cup, combine warm water and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes until the yeast bubbles.
2. In a large stand mixer (Kitchen, Bosch, etc.), combine 2 c. flour and salt. Add water and yeast mixture and stir to combine.
3. Add oil and honey to the same mixture and whip on high for 3 to five minutes.
4. Begin adding remaining 4 1/2 c. flour to the mixture, 1 cup at a time until dough begins to clean the sides of the bowl.
5. Knead by machine for 5 minutes.
6. Place the rounded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 1 hour.
7. Punch down the dough and form into loaves. Put the loaves in greased pans, cover with a cloth and rise for 1 hour.
8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Let the hot loaves stand for 5 minutes before removing from the pans onto a cooling rack.
10. Allow the loaves to cool for an hour before slicing (this not only completes the cooking process but ensures a more solid loaf when you cut).

Easy Pizza Dough

Preheat oven to 425.

In measuring cup, add 1 1/2 c. warm water, 2 T yeast, 1 T sugar. Stir and wait to let bubble.

In separate bowl, add 3 c. flour, 1 T sugar, 1/2 t salt. Mix, add liquid mixture, knead, add flour, knead, press into pan, let rise.

Add toppings and bake for 10 minutes.

(I also use this same recipe for garlic bread.)

Cranberry Bread

(from the book "Cranberry Thanksgiving")

2 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 c. margarine

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp orange peel, grated

3/4 c. orange juice

1 1/2 c. raisins or craisins

1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, juice; stir until evenly moist. Fold in raisins and cranberries. Spoon into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 10 min (may cook sooner, check it after 50 min.) Cool on rack.

Indian Chapati bread

I claim no expertise in making this bread and the picture may prove it  (I didn't bother to puff this batch: see step 7) - but my family loves it and it's a quick last-minute addition to a curry meal. Also a great way to involve my kids in contributing something simple and fun to the meal.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup (more or less) water

To Prepare:

1. Spray skillet with oil and heat to medium high.

2. In medium bowl, mix flour and salt.

2. Make well in the center of the flour and pour in the water.

3. Mix with clean hands and knead into workable consistency.

4. Break off golf ball size pieces of dough, roll into a ball, dust with flour and flatten with hand.

5. With rolling pin, roll into thin circle and place onto skillet.

6. Cook on one side until bubbles appear, then turn and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.

7. Optional step for me: to puff chapati, hold it with tongs over an open flame on a gas burner. If you don't have a gas stove, use a paper towel to push down on the edges of the chapati while cooking. Brush cooked chapati with butter or oil.