Basic Sourdough

 Start:

1 Tbs start

1 c. flour

1 c. water-must be purified 

Stir into a jar. If not using soon then put the lid on tight and store in the fridge. If wanted to make bread soon. Put on the counter with the lid loose for 4-6 hours to activate. 

Dough:

1 c. start

1 1/2 c. water

2-3 c. flour

1 Tbs salt

First rising:

You'll add salt in the 2nd rising. Pour start into a big bowl. Add all ingredients except salt. Stir until well combined. Dough should be hard to stir and sticky. Then cover with plastic wrap and set on the counter for 6-8 hours. This is the 1st rising. After the 1st rising is done. You'll see a bubbly, runny and sticky dough.

2nd Rising:

 Here's were you will add the salt and 2 more cups of flour into the sticky dough. Mix the flour and salt in a separate bowl before adding. That way you know the salt will be distributed evenly. Stir all together until somewhat combined. Then dump dough onto the counter that has some flour on it and knead, knead knead until all combined. Knead for 5-8 minutes. Dough should feel stiff and bounce back. This is where you get your flavor and texture for the bread. Once finished, form into a ball and place into a clean and oiled bowl. Flip the ball a couple times to cover it with oil. Then cover with plastic wrap and set on the counter for the 2nd rising. This will take 5-10 hours. It will grow to almost flowing out of the bowl or double in size.

Shaping:

Dump your dough on the counter with a little flour. Knead and shape for about 1-2 minutes. Divide the dough up evenly. Can weigh or just guess. Start to form your dough into bread loafs or whatever you are making. Knead each piece for about a minute as you shape it. Lightly oil your bread pans or cookie sheet. Place dough into pans or on the cookie sheet. Cover and let rise for 2-4 hours. This is the 3rd rising. You'll want to bake when the center is about an inch above the brim or doubled in size. 

Bake:

Heat oven to 400. Bake for about 40 minutes. Time may vary depending on what your baking and your oven.

Hint: Spray some water into the oven to add moisture. This helps make a nice crust on the bread.  

*I always double this recipe and it makes 3 loaves of bread. 

*Instead of making bread you can always make pizza dough, flavored breads, Cinnamon rolls, ect.

*Feed your start at least once a week. Only take out of fridge if your wanting it to activate and grow. The more flour and water you add the more start you will have. So if your making lots of dough then prepare more start. 

*I like to add discarded start to pancakes, cookies, muffins. Really anything you want! 

*Sourdough is very forgiving so just use trial and error. I think it turns our every time.

Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup

Saute and cook until veggies are soft: 

1 Tbs olive oil

1 onion chopped

6 large carrots peeled and sliced

2 celery ribs chopped

4 c. chicken broth

Add:

3 cooked chicken breasts diced

1-2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp thyme

1 tsp rosemary

1 tsp red pepper flakes

16 oz. gnocchi 

Cook for about 5 minutes and then add:

2 c. half and half or cream

1 c parmesan cheese

Serve with garlic bread or easy breadsticks!

Lasagna Soup

Brown in a pot:

 2 Tbs. olive oil

1 onion chopped

1 pound ground beef or sausage

5 cloves garlic 

Add and bring to a boil:

4 c. chicken broth

1 c. water

1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 14oz can crushed tomatoes

2 1/2 Tbs tomato paste 

2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano 

1/2 tsp thyme

salt and pepper to taste

Add when 30 mins from wanting to serve:

8 lasagna noodles broken into big pieces

Make cheese mixture:

1 1/4 c mozzarella cheese 

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

8 oz ricotta cheese

2 Tbs parsley 

Cook until pasta is soft

Top with cheese mixture

Enjoy!

Green Chili Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

 1 c. sugar

4 eggs

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 cornmeal

1 1/2 tbs. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 4 oz. can green chilies

1 16 oz. can creamed corn

1 c. shedded cheddar cheese

Cream together sugar butter and eggs.

Add all the dry ingredients.

Then add the green chilies, creamed corn and cheese.

Put into greased muffin tin. Makes 24

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 mins. 

Easy Apple Pie

Crust:

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. oil

2 Tbs. cold milk

Mix all together with hands.

Press into a 9" pie plate.

Filling:

4 c. thinly sliced apples, peeled and cored.

Tip-use granny smith and fuji for best flavor. 

Mixing variety of apples is best. 

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 Tbs flour

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix all together until apples are well covered.

Place apples on top of crust in a mound. 

Topping:

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. butter

Mix together, should resemble course crumbs.

Sprinkle on top of pie.

Place the pie into a brown paper bag.

Fold ends and staple together.

Place onto a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 40 mins.

Serve with vanilla ice cream!  

Million Dollar Spaghetti

1 box spaghetti

2 pounds hamburger 

3 cloves garlic

1 medium onion chopped

2 24oz jars spaghetti sauce

1 c. cottage cheese

8 oz. cream cheese 

1/4 c. sour cream

3 c. mozzarella/divided

8 Tbs. butter

(cut in half, 4 TBS cut in slices)

Parsley for garnish(optional)

Cook spaghetti drain. 

Add 4 TBS of butter 

and 1jar of sauce.

Brown hamburger, onion and garlic.

Add spaghetti sauce. 

Set aside.

In a bowl mix together 

cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream

and 1/2 c. mozzarella. 

Set aside.

In a 9x13 pan place sliced butter around. 

Spread 1/2 of the spaghetti in the pan.

Next spread cheese mixture.

Then add remaining noodles.

Top with the meat sauce.

Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.

Sprinkle parsley if wanted.

Bake in a 350 oven for 30-40mins.

Let sit 5-10 before serving.

Browned Butter Banana Bars

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 c. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt 

2 mashed medium ripe bananas

Cream together butter and sugar.

Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla.

 Mix all together. 

Combine dry ingredients in another bowl.

Add to wet ingredients. 

Mix until well combined.

Add in mashed bananas. 

Spread evenly onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins

or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting:

1/2 c. butter 

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. powdered sugar 

1/4 c. milk

Heat butter over medium heat until barely brown.

Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla, powdered sugar and milk. 

Frost on the cooled cake!