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llc45

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  1. . . .

    I let the loaves rise for 40 min., as directed, but they did not seem to rise well, so I gave them another 15 minutes and then baked at 450F for 20 minutes (as they were small loaves).  Here is the result.  The crust was OK, but I did not care for the texture (obviously the rise was insufficient) and it didn't have much flavor, at all.

    . . .

    I think the directions are misleading as reprinted many times - the 40 minute rise is for freshly made, unrefrigerated dough. I believe that the correct direction should be to add 60 minutes to the rising time for refrigerated dough.

    If anyone has the book and can confirm this, it would be much appreciated!

    I have the book and I think it is a little confusing there also. They go into detail over the master recipe and say to let it rise for 40 minutes. Later on, they say to refrigerate the remainder. So they never really discuss the rise for the refrigerated dough for the master recipe. However, after I started trying some of the other recipes, I saw that an hour should be added to the rise if the dough was refrigerated first. I then starting letting the basic recipe rise for 1 hr 40 minutes and have had much better results.

  2. I find it much sweeter than regular kale.  The Times ran a recipe for a kale salad recently, and I'm pretty sure Lupa serves it as a verdure - that is, sliced very thinly, dressed with salt, pepper, evoo, lemon juice and a couple of gratings of Pecorino Romano.

    Also goes great in lots of soups.

    After loving this at Lupa, that's exactly how I make it whenever I can find it fresh at my local farmer's market. Another way I make it is I saute it with potatoes and onions and add chopped tomatoes to finish the cooking process, then finishing with a drizzle of olive oil and parmiggiano reggiano - yum!!!

  3. Another lurker coming out of the ether to let you know what a fabulous blog this is.  It will be sad to see it come to an end. 

    Your style of eating is much like mine, but more so.  We love eating local meats, CSA, eggs, honey, and all during the growing season, but in the off-season, we are stuck with fruit and vegetables from the (kind of lousy) groceries in our community.  Its gotten to the point where the food in our local chain supermarkets is a real turnoff.

    We share  a taste for variety, a love of ethnic groceries and farmer's markets, dislike of packaged foodstuffs, many cookbooks, some pots, and that great little MyWeigh scale, though mine is a 700, which is, I think a newer model.

    Add yet another, including the eating style. I am loving your out of the way adventures. Like Tamian, I also have lots of trouble in the off-season but I think my community will get there over time.

  4. I baked a small tester loaf this morning.  This is 3 day old dough.

    I thought it came out great.( I took a little bite off the side)  It has great flavor. I'm going to make an open faced sandwich for lunch today.

    gallery_28660_5521_179506.jpg

    I let it rise on parchment and baked it directly on that.  I also subbed out 2 cups of KA white whole wheat flour for 2 cups of the white AP.

    You have to try it for pizza crust. We live in an area devoid of great pizza. The crust has good flavor and is nice and crispy. I have been baking it on a stone.

  5. "One Bowl" Pancake Batter.

    3    T butter

    3    T Sugar

    3/4 tsp salt

    1    Egg

    1 1/4 C Flour

    2 1/2 tsp Baking powder

    3/4 C Milk

    1    tsp Vanilla extract.

    Using the following sequence, the batter can be made in the same bowl.

    In a glass bowl, microwave the butter until it just melts.

    Add sugar and salt and stir. (This will cool the butter for the next step).

    Add the egg and whisk vigorously.

    Add all the flour.

    Sprinkle the baking powder.

    Add most of the milk and mix gently. Add more milk to correct the consistency.

    Add vanilla and stir.

    I prefer an electric skillet for making the cakes. I'm able to maintain constant temperature better.

    Set the skillet temperature to 325*.

    Wipe the skillet with a film of corn oil using paper towels.

    Check skillet temperature with an Infra Red thermometer (only after you've applied the oil, IR thermometers do not read surface temperature of stainless correctly).

    In my skillet I can cook three 5" cakes at a time. The first batch is never pretty. Consequent batches are perfect.

    Your recipe went over really well with my daughter and her friends this morning. My husband even liked them and he always complains about pancakes. Still haven't mastered cooking them - I tend to overcook some and undercook some. I hate having anymore bulky kitchen gadgets than I possibly need and have resisted an electric skillet for years. Think I may have to finally break down and get one. :wacko:

  6. I bought the book after making the basic dough several times. I used to be a big bread baker. My favorite was a bread that took three days to make which had the most wonderful flavor. Unfortunately, life got too busy and I stopped doing it. I was thrilled when I saw the Bittman no-knead recipe. It didn't compare to my sourdough breads but was well worth the little effort it required. That said, I had some difficulties fitting the timing of the bread into my schedule. Therefore, I was even more happy when I saw the article for the Artisan Bread in 5 min a day.

    I really like the basic recipe. I too substitute wheat for some of the white. For the basic 4-loaf recipe, you should only substitute about a cup. Too much more and you have a problem with the rise. Because my family goes though if so quickly, I haven't been able to see how much sour dough flavor develops if you let it go towards the full two weeks. I still would like more sour dough flavor but, again, I am not complaining for the level of effort. Not only are we having fresh bread regularly, I like having it available for pizza whenever we feel like it. I also like the versatility of the recipe and the ability to form different shapes.

    I finally found a container large enough to make 8-loaves at a time. So, hopefully, I can see what the bread tastes like after a longer time period. We haven't made it past the 5-day mark so far. One of the suggestions in the book is to not wash out the container when mixing a new batch. They claim that the old dough will incorporate into the new and will add a little more sourdough flavor from the start.

    Over the holidays, I made the brioche recipe out of the book. I made four plain loaves and four loaves that I rolled out and filled with chocolate ganache. Everyone loved them and thought I had spent hours making them. Because the recipe has butter in it (obviously), you can only keep that dough for five days. I can't say enough for the veratility and wide range of recipes in the book. I have formed the loaves ito baguettes, rounds, etc.

    If I remember correctly, I think that the published recipe in the NYT article says to let the bread rise for 40 minutes. I think that the 40 minutes is for the first loaf before you stick it in the fridge. I was doing that originally for the refrigetated dough but then read elsewhere in the book to make it an hour and 40 minutes if the dough was refrigerated. Once I switched, I started getting a much better rise. Tomorrow, I am going to try the honey whole wheat. It uses a lot more wheat flour than the basic recipe allows by adding honey and milk to tenderize the dough.

  7. Since berries mostly spoil before we get around to using them, I guess I have to start considering dried too.  I just remember giving my elderly grandmother prunes all of the time and thinking they were gross.  But, honestly, I haven't tried them so thanks for the blog - I am going to give them a try.

    I have been following along but didn't think there was very much I could contribute to this blog but.........

    Try this: Find a clean, large mason jar, preferably a wide-mouth one. Sort through the berries gently to make sure there are no nasties in there BUT DO NOT WASH THEM. Carefully transfer them to the mason jar, put on the lid and screw band and put them on a shelf in the 'fridge. When you want some berries take out a serving, wash them and you are set. I am amazed how long berries stay fresh using this method. There is no need to vacuum seal the jar.

    Thank you - I will give it a try as soon as possible. The possibility that I no longer have to hear my husband say "these "insert berry name" are spoiled, why do you keep buying them when you don't ever eat them" has me doing a mental happy dance.

  8. So, my day today: for very late breakfast I once again had a cup of plain yogurt, plus a couple of cups of coffee. I am fortunate that I grew up drinking my coffee black, no sweetener; when I get one of them thar gussied-up espresso drinks, I choose the nonfat milk and the sugar-free syrup. Yes, I know, I've become one of those people I used to make fun of. :rolleyes: But frankly, I'd rather save the fat and calorie allowance for something more interesting--this is how I can still get away with the occasional indulgence in pork belly, for instance. At least I'm still going full-caffeine.

    Right now, despite my protestations about fresh fruit, I am eating a tangelo as a snack. I have to remind myself to eat at least a little fresh fruit every now and then.

    Shortly, I'll be taking Mr. E to a weekly appointment, and then doing a little more food-galivanting around town with camera in hand. Oh yeah, and getting some lunch at another of my healthy-dining finds. See you all later...

    I struggle with this with fruit also. While they're are a number of fruits that I do eat, it is just not something I want to do on a daily basis. Apples are my favorite so I take five to work on Mon morning and make sure I have one every day. I am also addicted to the Fage yogurt and have found I actually don't mind mixing in mandarin oranges or low sugar diced peaches that I now keep in my desk. Two a day down, that was my accomplishment for last year.

    Since berries mostly spoil before we get around to using them, I guess I have to start considering dried too. I just remember giving my elderly grandmother prunes all of the time and thinking they were gross. But, honestly, I haven't tried them so thanks for the blog - I am going to give them a try.

  9. every on-line source i've looked at charges about $40 for the large tin (2#?!).  seems a little high.  i think FatGuy found a good bargain, damn, i miss new york.

    I found this on Amazon which seems like a total bargain because it would include free shipping. However, some of the reviews indicate some damage in the shipping process. Originally learned about these cookies on Giada's food network show. She incorporates them into a lot of her easy desserts. After reading this thread, I'm dying to try them (after we get through the plethora of cookies everyone has dropped off for the holidays). I'm a big tea drinker and these seem to be a perfect accompaniment.

  10. Spanish wines are beginning to catch on, and the Euro stomping the dollar is not a good thing for us European wine consumers in the coming months. They expect a 20-30% increase in prices across the board on imports from that continent. However, Portuguese wines are still relatively unknown and a great bargain. Argentina is also a great country for wine. They're economy is also rebounding, but has yet to catch up to us. You usually can't go wrong with any malbec from Mendoza, and there are many to be had for under $10. Chile was a premiere producer, and they still offer some good choices, but I find the chances of a good wine from Argentina higher than a Chilean one.

    Here in the city, I go to Astor Wines and Spirits, I believe they deliver out of state, and buy a dozen or so bottles at a time, ranging from $3 and up. They're selection is pretty good and their pricing is pretty on par with what I pay wholesale, just because of the sheer volume they do. Sometimes their stuff is even cheaper than my wholesale price.

    Thanks for the heads up - I guess I better really stock up before the European prices go up.

  11. Since we like our wine, we are always looking for decent red wines for everyday drinking/cooking purposes at reasonable (OK - cheap) prices. When we find something like this, we generally will buy it by the case to take advantage of additional discounts. Lately, our everyday wine is a Spanish table wine made by Este that sells in the $8 price range.

    However, my friend made friends with the someone at our local wine store who is always pointing out real bargains. She brought over a bottle of Mattie's Perch Shiraz last weekend. It is Australian. I liked it as good or better than my cheapie wine. I was floored when she told me the price - $2.99 at our local wine store.

  12. Wanted to bump up this thread for the holidays. Planning on taking the beer cheese dip to a party on Sunday and will probably try the stacked enchilada recipe for another party I'm going to just because they both sound excellant and I have been meaning to make them ever since!

  13. - Nino San Marzano Tomatoes, 6lb can, $3.19

    Wow - I can't believe I didn't know that they had these - I go way out of my way to stock up on these at a superrmarket that carries them at a reasonable price but this price blows that price out of the water.

    - Delice d'Argental,  7oz: $5.89

    What is this?

    Carsanco - Ditto on the increasing bills.

  14. The Citterio prosciutto, lamb, pine nuts, olive oil and fresh figs in season.  Recent finds include duck leg confit, Muscovy duck breast, a black truffle butter (Tartufitalia), Langres (not as pungent, or delicious as an Epoisses, but also not $39.95lb.) and Giordano's Toscana Rosso, our now preferred table wine.

    I'm still greatly missing the Garofalo bufallo mozzarella and the prepared duck half.

    OOOOhhhhh - black truffle butter? Please tell more - how have you used it?

    The prosciutto is also a regular staple in our house.

  15. Thanks for bringing back a memory - I now remember my grandmother teaching me this when I was little (using a paper bag). With my husband, the human eating machine around, there's never much of anything to refresh. :smile:

  16. Forgot to mention that we also tried the organic roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Tried some last night with a sandwich on the way out the door to my daughter's Christmas concert - not half bad for something quick and will be even better with a little doctoring. Also forgot to mention another first time purchase - large jar of cinnamon sticks by McCormick for less that I pay for a small jar at my local supermarket.

  17. Sorry if this is off topic but I just wanted to mention that I was so pleased with the master recipe that I bought the book. They have adapted the concept for many savory breads and sweet breads including bagels, pretzels, peasant breads, brioche, cinnamon rolls, just to name a few. They say you can pretty much have several different types of dough in storage at one time for different purposes. They have a recipe for Neopolitan Pizza for which they say you can use any of the following dough recipes in the book: European Peasant, Olive Oil, Light Whole Wheat, or Italian Semolina. I, unfortunately, had surgery the day after I received the book so I've done a lot of skimming but not much testing. I have made the master recipe about 4 times so far with some variation each time. I have used that recipe to make bread, pizza and stromboli.

  18. After an epic shopping event on Sunday, my newest finds include:

    Precooked Beef Carving Roast with au jus: I'm not a big convenience food fan but my daughter and husband tried the samples and loved it. It is tender and flavorful. We made hot sandwiches with it so far. I plan on putting slices on toasted bagette slices with horseradish sauce as a quick appetizer for unexpected dropins over the holidays.

    Dried Goji Berries: When I went to get dried blueberries and mangos, I discovered these. I recently saw on the news that these are the newest Superfood. They're pretty tasty in my morning oatmeal. I plan on substituting for other dried fruits in muffins, pancakes and granola.

    Thanks to those of you who turned me on to Marcona Almonds - yum! Still have yet to find the capers (which I use a lot of) or the Carnitas. Maybe my Costco does not carry these.

    I also stocked up on my typical holiday buys - a selection of good cheeses including a triple creme from France, crackers, lump crab meat, dips, etc. Just wish my Costco carried wine!

  19. I loved using the Bittman no-knead bread recipe but thought it was lacking in flavor and not so versatile. So, was very excited when that thread referenced a newer NYT article about a similar concept where you make enough dough for four (or 8) loaves and then store it in your fridge for up to two weeks. It develops a slight sour dough flavor and can be shaped. Bingo - not only can I make bread whenever I want, we now have been having pizza at least once a week. I have been very pleased with the results. I find it is much easier to get a thin crust then when I used to use fresh dough. I have been transferring it to a stone and getting the nice crispy crust that I like. Currently, I have been making in the 4-loaf quantiites because I don't have a large enough container but will changing over to 8 loaves as soon as I can acquire something to put it in.

  20. Another no-knead recipe has been published in today's NYT, titled Soon the Bread Will Be Making Itself.  The recipe, adapted from "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day," by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë François, is reprinted here.

    I'll be trying this out soon as I'm very curious to see how two-week old dough performs!

    I was so pleased with how the bread turned out that I ordered the book. Just received it in the mail - I am so excited. It has recipes for all different types of peasant bread, bagels, pizza crust, brioche, many sweet bread recipes (OK - I'll stop). I think I am going to try one of the wheat ones next.

    The thing I love is that I can make 4 (or 8) at a time. I can make a loaf of bread, then a pizza crust, then a stromboli because I have premade dough ready to go. The first two loaves that I made from the NYT recipe didn't have a lot of sourdough flavor so I am waiting to make the next two to see how much flavor develops. One of the things that the book recommends to get more sourdough flavor is to mix the next batch right in the same bowl without washing. The old dough will then become the "sourdough" started for the new mixture.

    Unfortunately, I am busy this next week or two but will definitely be trying many of the sweet breads and brioches as soon as I get time. For every day bread, I have been buying an organic wheat sourdough bread from a great local baker. Now I am going to see if I can get somewhat close with one of the peasant bread recipes that has wheat, rye, and white flour. I also see weekly pizza in my future!

  21. It doesn't quite meet your rising requirements, but the NYT bread recipe technique (quick stir, let rise slowly for 12+ hours, then put into bread pans for an hour or so and bake) works for whole grains. 

    I have done it by subbing in a half cup of oatmeal, a cup of ww and the rest (1.5 cups) white flour.

    I haven't had a lot of success with adding whole wheat and then putting in my LC. How many loaf pans do you use for the regula NYT recipe?

  22. Thanks for the great suggestions. I am thinking about maybe combining a few to make up baskets. I am still having a hard time giving up on the bourban maple syrup though, I've been planning on this being a big part of my gifts since I found the site last year right after the holidays. :sad: Maybe next year!

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