With the new year came many resolutions to try and make my life complete. I resolved to lose weight, work out more, spend more quality time with my family and cherish each moment, and get my life organized. This includes all of the closets in my home as well as drawers, paperwork and sorting through and donating all of the things we don't use. Not too big of a resolution list, or so I thought.
Well, the diet was going great until my little Pickle wanted to make no-bake cookies! I can't resist their chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness. I kept telling myself that I was getting my fill of oatmeal, and that the whole grain will help me be healthy. Needless to say, I shared the cookies with my neighbors as I can't resist them and stay on my healthy eating plan! I then had another suggestion from my sweet little princess that we try and "create" a new recipe for "Garlic Cheese Sourdough Bread." Really diet friendly in my book of what not to eat! Well the recipe was a success and here again, I should have resisted the temptation but the smell of fresh baked bread along with the garlic was overpowering my willpower! I love to cook and am always up for a new adventure. I will post the recipes at the end of this blog to share with everyone! If you are local and need a "start" of starter, I will be glad to share, as that has been another challenge as of late. Not because of anything bad, but because it has become extremely vigorous, and escaping the container and making a huge mess of my refrigerator!
As for the organization adventure, I have gotten the house clean which I think is the first step. Now to tackle one closet and dresser at a time. Today is not the day as I have too many obligations to begin tackling this challenge, but hopefully we will have a snow like they are forecasting and I can't think of a better family bonding activity than cleaning out what you don't need!
Today is a new day, and we will be embracing it to the fullest. My house is mostly clean, and I have less that two loads of laundry in the entire house, so it will be a great day! Happy Friday everyone!
No-Bake Cookies
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 stick butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick oats
Cook the first 4 ingredients over medium heat until butter is melter and mixture is to a rolling boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut butter and oats. Stir until blended and drop teaspoons full onto waxed paper or a greased pan. Let cool and enjoy!
Garlic Cheese Sourdough Bread
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup sourdough starter (at room temperature)
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
6 to 7 cups unbleached flour
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large nonmetal bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add 1 cup Sourdough Starter and next 6 ingredients, stirring well to combine. Gradually stir in enough remaining 4cups flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a well - floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cove and let rise in a warm place (85° ), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down; turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 4 or 5 times. Divide in half. Roll half of dough to a 14x7 inch rectangle. Roll up dough, starting at short side, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; pinch ends to seal. Place, seam side down, in a well-greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.
Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Brush top of loaves with additional oil. Bake at 375° for 30 to 35 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove bread from pans, brush with melted butter. Let cool on a wire rack. Yield: 2 loaves.
Add Starter Food after each use to replenish remaining starter. Place in refrigerator; stir once a day. (Use again within 2 to 14 days) You can extend this by stirring in one tablespoon of sugar every 10 days to keep starter feed.
Sourdough Starter
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115)
2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups warm water
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water; let stand 5 minutes. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a nonmetal bowl. Gradually stir in 2 cups warm water. Stir in yeast mixture. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm place (85) for 72 hours, stirring three time daily. Place in refrigerator; stir once a day. (use starter or fed within 11 days.)
Starter Food
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
1 cup milk
Add all ingredients to remaining Sourdough Starter, stirring well.
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