Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Wheatberry Salad Recipes



The Following Recipe is by Giada on foodnetwork.com
Wheat Berry Salad with strawberries and feta
Ingredients
2 cups soft white wheat berries, rinsed and drained
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Dressing:
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges if using fresh)
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons orange zest (from 1 large orange, optional)
2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, packed, finely chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 medium strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/3 cup (4 ounces) crumbled goat or feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted (optional – see note below)

Directions
For the wheat berries: In a large saucepan, combine the wheat berries, chicken broth, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot and cook until the wheat berries are tender, 60 to 70 minutes. Drain the wheat berries in a colander and set aside to cool, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a salad bowl.

For the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, orange zest, agave nectar, mint leaves, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour the dressing over the wheat berries and add the strawberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. Toss until all the ingredients are coated.

Cook's Note: To toast the walnuts or pecans, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.




Apple Cranberry Wheat Berry Salad
by Lauren Zembron
Ingredients (4 servings)
  • 1 cup uncooked wheat berries, rinsed
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp coarse ground Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped (optional)
  • 2 packed cups baby spinach,
  • 1 large apple, chopped
Instructions
Cover wheat berries by 1 inch with water in a medium saucepan set over high heat. Add in a generous pinch of Kosher salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until chewy, about 45-50 minutes (taste and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes if you’d like). Drain and transfer to a medium bowl.
While wheat berries are cooking, whisk together the cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider, & olive oil in a small bowl (or shake together in a small jar). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
While the drained cooked wheat berries are still warm, toss with the vinaigrette. Taste, and add salt and pepper if desired. Stir in the cranberries, pecans, baby spinach, and apple.




Dry Meals in a Jar




Meals in a Jar
The following recipe and tips found at http://cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com     *Click on 52 Method Jar Info


Meal in a Jar Tips
- If you use an oxygen absorber, this food will last a long time without canning in a pressure cooker or water bath.
- Look for quick cooking beans if possible to save time on your preparation in the end.
- Freeze dried meat and veggies are the freshest, easiest way to go with this method of food storage. You can find freeze dried food on amazon.om and beprepared.com as well as other places.


CLASSIC CHILI Meal in a Jar
In a quart size jar layer these ingredients:
2 cups Quick Cook Red Beans (Honeyville is a good brand.)
1 cup  Tomato Powder (shake down into the beans or everything won't fit in the jar)
1/4 cup Freeze Dried Diced Celery
1T beef bullion (no MSG)
1 T chili powder (more or less depending on how you like your chili)
1T Seasoned Salt 
1 tsp hot chili flakes (if you like it hot)

Pack the ingredients tightly in the jar, shake the seasonings in there too. There is always room for the most vital addition to your jar, the oxygen absorber. You need one if you plan on using these meals. It keeps the meat and other ingredients fresh. This makes a vacuum environment. You need that. No you don't have to pressure can or water bath can this jar. 

To prepare:
Combine the contents of the jar with 7-8 cups hot water (depending on how thick you like your chili) and simmer over medium-high heat 25-30 minutes until hydrated and ready to eat. Serve with hydrated freeze dried cheese if desired...or just have it plain in all it's glory. 




These recipes are taken from the following blog
  heart-hands-home.blogspot.com/search/label/Mix%20recipes

Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Mix

1 C. quick oats (grind in blender or food processor till finely ground)
1 C. quick oats (leave whole)
3/4-1C. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. maple flavoring
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2  tsp. nutmeg

Combine brown sugar, maple flavoring, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl.  Stir to thoroughly combine the sugar and extract (a mixer is really helpful for this).  Add in oats and ground oats.  Stir to combine.  Store in airtight container.

To Serve:

Place 2/3 C. oatmeal mix in a bowl and add hot water to desired consistency.

For Apple-cinnamon oatmeal-substitute vanilla extract for the maple and add 1/2 C. dried apple pieces.

*Just like the packets you buy in the store, only you can control the ingredients.
*Package in individual baggies for quick, single serving sizes.
*Add more oats and ground oats to make a less sweet mix.
*Double, triple or quadruple the recipe and store in a large jar, scoop out how much you need.

All-Purpose Quick Mix (To replace Bisquick)

5 lb. bag flour (20 Cups)
4 C. nonfat dry milk powder or buttermilk powder 
3/4 C. baking powder
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cream of tartar
5 C. vegetable shortening

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.  With Pastry blender (or your hands) cut in shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal in texture.  Store in airtight container.

~Use 1/2 whole wheat flour, if desired.
~Cut recipe in 1/2 for smaller households.

Biscuits

3 C. All-purpose quick mix
3/4 C. milk or water

Stir together until blended.  Drop dough by spoonfuls onto baking sheet.  Bake in 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

~Add 1/3 C. shredded cheese and chopped herbs to dough for a cheesy herb biscuit

Perfect Pancake Mix

6 C. Unbleached flour
2 C. Whole wheat pastry flour
2 C. Nonfat dry milk powder (or buttermilk powder)
1/2 C. sugar 
3 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 Tbsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients together.  Store in large airtight container.

-You can use all unbleached flour or combination of flours to get to 8 C.  (I found it is best not to go over about 1/2 whole wheat flour with this recipe).

Pancakes:
2 C. perfect pancake mix
1 1/2 C. water (or to desired consistency)
1 egg
2 Tbsp. oil

In a medium bowl, combine egg, oil and water.  Whisk in pancake mix.  Let stand 2 minutes.  Add additional water, if desired.  Cook on preheated griddle or pan.

~We love pancakes for lazy weekend morning breakfasts, or busy weeknight dinners!

Easy Waffles
2 1/2 C. Perfect Pancake Mix
2 C. water
3 eggs, separated
1/4 C. veg. oil

Combine pancake mix, water, egg yolks and oil in large bowl.  In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.  Gently fold egg whites into batter.  Bake in preheated waffle iron.

Perfect Batter

1 C. Perfect Pancake Mix
1 C. milk
2 eggs


Combine eggs and milk in shallow bowl, Add pancake mix and stir till combined.

Use this batter to make Monte Cristo Sandwiches, onion rings, or even fried fish.

~For Monte Cristo Sandwiches, make sandwiches using your favorite bread, meat and cheese combo (ham and cheddar, turkey and swiss, roast beef and provolone) and topping (mayo, mustard).  Dip sandwiches and cook on preheated griddle till browned on both sides and cheese starts to melt.  Monte Cristos are traditionally topped with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and a dollop of jelly.

Brownie Mix

8 Cups of sugar
6 Cups of unbleached flour
2 Cups of cocoa powder
1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. salt


Mix together and store in airtight container.

To Make:

2 1/4 C. brownie mix
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 C. canola oil (or melted butter or margarine)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 C. chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 inch square pan.  Combine ingredients and mix until smooth.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until center is set. Cool, cut, serve.

*try adding mint chips for choco-mint brownies.
*top warm brownies with mini-marshmallows, choco chips and some chopped graham cracker pieces for s'more topped brownies

Texas Sheet Cake

4 C. brownie mix
1/2 C. oil
1 C. water
1/2 C. sour cream
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 10" x 15" jelly roll or sheet cake pan. Put brownie mix in bowl. In small saucepan bring oil, water, and sour cream to a boil.  Add to the brownie mix.  Stir in eggs, sour cream and baking soda.  Pour into pan.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Prepare frosting and frost while cake is still hot.

Sheet Cake Frosting

1/2 C. evaporated milk
1/2 C. butter or margarine
1/4 C. cocoa powder
3 C. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Dry Mix Recipes




Websites to help with food storage
providentliving.org – This church website that teaches about self reliance and food storage. Non-perishable items may be purchased here with free shipping.
foodstoragemadeeasy.net  - Tips, recipes, and information for everything you want to know about collecting your food storage.  They break up food storage into babysteps to help you figure out water, 72-hr kits, meal ideas, wheat grinding, food storage calculating, etc. Amazing resource!
beprepared.com – Emergency Preparedness website. Lots of products and information.
cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com  - Click on 52 Method Jar Recipes to find recipes and tips for dry meals in a jar
Dry Mix Recipes


                                                                     Taco Seasoning 1 C. minced dried onions
1/2 C. chili powder
1/4 C. garlic powder
1/4 C. cumin
2 Tbsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. salt
red pepper flakes (optional, add if you like spicy!)
Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.  Store in airtight container.
Add 2-3 Tbsp. of mix and ¼ cup of water to 1 pound of meat.  Adjust amount of mix to what tastes good to you. 
This recipe is great because you can control how spicy (add red pepper flakes) or smokey (add more or less cumin) you like it, plus, you can leave the salt out all together if you need a lower sodium version (this version already has less sodium than most store brands out there).





Italian Dressing Dry Mix
(To replace Good Seasons packets)
1 TB garlic salt
1 TS onion powder
1 TB white sugar
1 TB dried parsley
2 TB oregano
1 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
¼ tsp celery salt
1 TB salt (adjust this amount to your liking)
Procedure
Place all ingredients in a glass jar, shake to mix well, cover with a tight lid and store in a dry place.
To prepare Dressing, whisk together ¼ c white vinegar, 2/3 c canola oil, 2 TB  water, and 2 TB of the dry dressing mix.
To make Cucumber Toasties (these were served at our Spa night)
Mix 8 oz brick of softened cream cheese with ½ c mayo. Stir until smooth and creamy. Stir in 2 TB dry dressing and mix well. Spread the cream cheese mixture on toasted slices of baguette or French bread. Top each toasty with a slice of cucumber and sprinkle with dill. Get ready to share your recipe – everyone will want it!





Ranch Dry Mix
(To replace Hidden Valley packets)


Ingredients:
Black Pepper ¼ C
Parsley Flakes 1 1/2 C
Garlic Salt ½ C
Kosher Salt 2 T
Granulated Garlic ¼ C
Granulated Onion 3/4 C
Dill Weed 2 T
Procedure:
1. Combine all ingredients, store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 ½ cups of dry mix
2. To Make Dressing, whisk together 2 T of mix with 2 Cups each of mayonnaise and buttermilk 1 ½ Cups sour cream, & 1 t Lemon Juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Makes 1 ¾ Quarts





Thursday, June 14, 2012

Lindsay's Fast French Bread


FAST FRENCH BREAD

1 1/4 c warm water
1 T sugar
1 T yeast
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 c. flour

Combine sugar and yeast in small bowl.  Add yeast and let sit until bubbly.  Add salt and flour.  Knead and let rise until double.  Roll out into rectangle, roll up.  Slash diagonally with knife.  Let bread rise until double on jelly roll pan.  Baste with 1/2 tsp salt and 2 T water glaze.
Bake at 400 for 20-25 min.

Recipe note:  Batch can be divided into 2-4 loaves for sandwiches, or made into bread bowls.

Lindsay's Artisan Bread

Lindsay's Artisan Bread
 
In a large mixing bowl, add:
3 cups white flour
1 3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp yeast
whisk together.  Then add 1 1/2 cups warm water.  The dough will look like a shaggy mess.  That is ok!  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let sit on counter for 12-18 hours. Overnight is great.  After 12 hours the dough should look sticky and bubbly.  

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Once heated, place an EMPTY, CAST IRON pot with it's lid into the heated oven to cook for 30 minutes.  This step is so important!  Do not skip!
Meanwhile, dump your bread dough onto a HEAVILY floured surface and carefully shape into a round ball.  You do not need to handle it very much, and there is no need to knead it or punch it down.  Remember, it took a long time to get those air bubbles in there!  :)  Cover it again with plastic wrap and let it sit while your pot is heating up. Once your pot is heated thoroughly, remove it from the oven.  Cover your hands with flour, then gently place the dough in the bottom of the pan (without the plastic wrap).  Put the lid on the pot and bake for 30 minutes.  Then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes.  Once done, use all the will power you have to let loaf completely cool before serving.  This is the part you pat yourself on the back and tell yourself how awesome you are....because YOU ARE. 

*Tip:  I tried using whole wheat flour.  Do not do it.  It's wayyyyyy too heavy for this type of bread.  

Some of my favorite mix in ideas:
Use different types of cheeses like: jalapeno, pepper jack, cheddar, sharp, etc
Rosemary, lemon zest, and shredded gruyere cheese 
Cranberry, orange, almond
pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and poppy seeds
Cinnamon, raisin, walnut
Lemon zest, thyme, asiago

Kirsten's Sweet Brown Baguettes


Kirsten's Sweet Brown Baguettes (cheesecake factory copycat)

Ingredients 
12 oz. warm water, 105F 
1 oz. butter, melted 
1/2 cup honey  (use 1/4 c honey, 1/4 c molasses if desired) 
2-3 cups bread flour 
1 2/3 cups wheat flour 
1 tablespoon cocoa 
1 tablespoon brown sugar 
1 teaspoon salt 
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast 
1 TB caramel color powder (this is optional. It is the best way to get the real dark brown color)

To prepare the bread, I added the warm water, melted butter, honey, wheat flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  After thoroughly blending, add the yeast and ½ cup of the bread flour.  The mixture will be soupy.  Add the remaining flour, ¼ cup at a time on low until enough flour has been incorporated that the mixture just begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.  Continue mixing for 7 minutes on medium.

Remove the bowl and dump the dough onto a floured board.  Bench rest for 5 minutes.  Knead with floured hands until there is sufficient gluten development.  When the dough is slightly springy, transfer to a greased bowl and rise until doubled, 1 to 1.5 hours.

When the dough has doubled in volume, pour it onto a floured surface.  Divide the dough into four equal portions and form into baguettes.  Let the baguettes rise until almost doubled, or until pressing the dough lightly with a finger causes the dough to fill back in in several seconds.  Just before baking, score the tops with your favorite pattern, brush with water and sprinkle with oats.

Bake the loaves in an oven that has been preheated to 350F.  Bake for 22 minutes or until done.

Kirsten’s Cinnamon Swirl Bread


Kirsten’s Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Dough
About 5 c flour
2 1/4 tsp yeast
1 1/3 c milk
3 TB sugar
3 TB butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs

Cinnamon Sugar Filling
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Prepare bread dough as you would your favorite wheat bread recipe. But, before placing dough in the pans for the final rise, divide the dough into 2 parts. Roll out each into a rectangle, brush with water and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar filling. Roll up jelly roll style, pinch off seams and place seam side down in prepared loaf pans. 

Let rise until nearly double (about 30 min.)

Bake 350 for 25-30 min or until bread sounds hollow when tapped. (Cover with foil to prevent over browning.) Remove from pans and cool. You can drizzle a simple cream cheese icing over it if you want, or it's delicious toasted with butter.