Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Two Experimental Recipes...Successful

Yesterday, I played in the kitchen since it was so nasty outside.  Today, we have sunshine, but it is Cold!!!  While inside yesterday, I experimented with a new recipe I want to share with my garden club next week. I learned the hard way to try it first, so I made it for lunch, and made my friend Beth come and taste it for me.  I made a Tuna Pasta Salad. I am so glad I made it my own, because the original recipe was bland and tasted only of mayonnaise. After I was finished, I had a wonderful salad that only needed tomatoes! 

I also tried to make whole wheat bread.  I have been wanting to experiment with whole wheat for some time, but just never remembered to buy the flour.  Last week, Kroger had  white whole wheat on sale, so I grabbed a bag.  I am loving the nutty, whole grain taste, and because I used half bread flour, it was super light and had a fabulous crumb.  I will share the recipe, which used the sourdough starter I have been nursing since this past summer.

I know that many of the kids of my readers are out of school today for snow and ice, I leave you with these recipes today. I challenge you to adventure in the kitchen and try something new.  The kids will love to help, and memories will be made.  I hope everyone is not stir crazy and this will help keep the little ones entertained, for at least a moment.

Until next time,

Sarah














Tuna Pasta Salad

1 pound tri-color, rotini pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
2 5-ounce cans water-packed tuna, drained
2 tomatoes, diced (or use one can petite diced tomatoes drained)
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 can whole, pitted black olives
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons diced pimentos
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tablespoon parsley, minced
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
½ teaspoon Cavender’s Greek seasoning
 
In a large bowl, mix together mayonnaise and remainder of ingredients. Gently fold in pasta, tuna and tomatoes. Allow to chill 1 hour for flavors to blend. Enjoy!














Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

2 packages active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water (105° to 115° )
1 cup Mild
1 cup Sourdough Starter (at room temperature)
¼ cup butter
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups bread flour
Additional vegetable oil
Butter, melted

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large nonmetal bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add 1 cup Sourdough Starter, butter, sugar, salt, eggs and 1 cup of each flour. Mix with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. 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.  Remember to feed your starter after use.


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 55
Add all ingredients to remaining Sourdough Starter, stirring well.  Return to refrigerator until next time...

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