BakerAunt
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CWCdesign--I will keep you and your team in my prayers. It does sound as if the rest of you had limited exposure. HR should definitely be providing testing for everyone--and not just once.
Best wishes for a quick recovery, Joan.
On Saturday, I made another batch of yogurt.
Saturday was a baking day, even though temperatures are in the 70s this afternoon. I baked Pumpkin Biscotti—a recipe that is as popular in my house as my Whole Wheat Sourdough Crackers are in Aaron’s. Thank you, again, Skeptic! I sprinkled autumn colored sugar on top, and I made them with white whole wheat flour. I then baked Rye and Barley Crispbread. These large “crackers” started as a way for me to have crackers around when my husband chomped through the Cheese Crackers, but he just eats the same amount of those and throws in a crispbread. I had not baked the recipe for a while, as I was waiting to be able to buy a case of sunflower seeds from Bob’s Red Mill.
When I made some Swedish "pretzel" cookies, I think that I used an egg wash to make the pearl sugar adhere, but it has been a long time since I've baked that recipe. I'll try to remember to look it up. I've also used it on some Swedish rolls, but I think in that case, I just sprinkled it on.
Ideally, Italian Cook, King Arthur would have given directions on how to use pearl sugar for people unfamiliar with it. Here's a recipe that I found, with a picture, that gives the idea:
These look good, but while I could substitute for the butter in the rolls, I'm not sure that I could replace the butter for the filling. However, I often skip steps that have the sweet rolls spread with butter before putting in the sugar. I instead put the sugar in, then spritz with water to make it adhere. However, for this recipe, I suspect the butter flavor is needed.
Sigh. I miss having to avoid a lot of Swedish and German baking recipes. I'm saving my splurge for a decadent almond coffee cake at Christmas.
Thank you for the report about your caramelized onions, Italian Cook. It's a recipe that I would like to try. Knowing that olive oil works--and that I should use sweet onions--is helpful.
I made up dough on Friday for another batch of my Whole Wheat Sourdough Cheese Crackers. I’ll bake them late next week. These are disappearing faster, although not as fast as they do at Aaron's house!
For dinner on Friday, I made black-eyed peas, starting by soaking them overnight. I cooked them today with a ham hock. Once they were done, I removed the ham hock, took off the meat, and put it back with the black-eyed peas. I added 1 ½ tsp. Penzey’s dried onion. I cooked brown rice separately in my rice cooker. I sauteed celery and some garlic in grapeseed oil in larger pot, then added the black-eyed peas and the rice. I snipped some parsley and mixed it in, then added freshly ground black pepper. It is delicious, and we will have at least three more meals from it.
I've found that it is better to cook the rice and the black-eyed peas (or any bean) separately, then combine with the vegetables, as there are differences in the cooking times.
I was pleased to find smoked ham hocks for 99 cents per pound. The usual price in our store is $2.99 per pound, which is pricy for what is usually considered a less desirable cut. I froze a second one to use later for pea soup.
What concerns me is the small space. It was always crowded when I went last year pre-Pandemic. With our rise in numbers, I will not take the chance. We go to the supermarket at off times, taking advantage of the early "vulnerable" opening at 8:30 on Tues. and Thurs. at Aldi's and that gets us to Kroger early, so there are fewer people in a much larger space. I was more comfortable grocery shopping than I was voting for that reason.
Italian Cook--I've used Swedish Pearl Sugar, and it should not affect the browning. Did you use a thick coating of it? Usually it is sprinkled on sparingly.
I'm with you, Skeptic. Unless someone has a true need to avoid gluten, I'm not going to invest in the supplies.
For whatever reason, Kroger had King Arthur AP flour for $2.50 a bag today. I bought three, to go with the three I already have stashed. I'm set for awhile on it, but I will need to order more BRM whole wheat flour soon.
Covid-19 infections are rising in our area, and the hospital, like most rural healthcare is overwhelmed. Our zip code numbers are also increasing. Still, the town went ahead with Halloween, and they are already planning for a Christmas parade the first weekend in December. Our farmers' market has moved to an indoor space in the library, beginning this weekend, so I will not be going. If I need something, I will buy in advance and pick it up.
We are planning a trip to pick up apples from an orchard, maybe early next week. It will be drive an hour, get the apples, and drive back--no stops along the way.
Thank you, Italian Cook and Chocomouse: It's mutual, as I would often like to join you at your meals! Indeed, everyone on this site posts about delicious cooking.
My Mom, from Tennessee, was fond of the occasional pimento cheese sandwich. It was one food group where she made no attempt to convert us, so she was probably savoring it herself, a treat that any hard-working Mom deserves.
On Wednesday, I roasted the first of two “peanut” pumpkins and pureed it in my food processor after removing from the skin. I froze three (15 oz.) containers, and set aside 4 oz. to bake into pumpkin biscotti later in the week.
For Wednesday’s dinner, I made a sauce by sauteing mushrooms in olive oil, then sprinkling a bit of flour over it. I added some chicken stock, and some leftover evaporated milk, a package of frozen broccoli florets, and the rest of the roast chicken, along with freshly ground black pepper. I mixed it with some cooked noodles, and we grated Parmesan atop our serving. Bonus: There is enough to have it again tomorrow.
On Tuesday, I baked my Lime-Barley Bundt Cake, using the Celebration Nordic Ware Bundt pan. I used a lime from my own tree, which is now over wintering in our apartment over the garage. I played with the recipe slightly, increasing the barley flour by ¼ cup and decreasing the AP flour by the same amount. I also decreased the sugar by 2 Tbs. I baked the cake for 50 minutes in the second rack position. I glazed the cake with powdered sugar and lime juice. The cake has a lovely tender texture and excellent taste, so I will make the changes permanent.
On Tuesday, I made chicken broth, using the bones from the chicken I roasted on Sunday and those of a previous chicken that I saved in the freezer.
We had leftover roast chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots, and microwaved frozen peas.
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