Breakfast in our household is always a bit of a hairy time. The little boy is always hungry and ready to eat right about the same time I am twirling around the house trying to get lunches made and the big boys up and dressed. I know, I know...make the lunches ahead right....well in a perfect world I would, but save the lecture for another day. I am a glutton for chaos. So, I decided in backwards world to make breakfast ahead of time instead. Makes sense right!!!
Make Ahead Oatmeal
(I made a huge batch equaling 6 generous servings...since I share with my little guy)
2c steel cut oats
6c water
a few pinches of salt
Combine in a pot and bring to a roiling boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3-4 minutes. Then, turn heat off and remain covered for 5 minutes or so while you mix the flavors.
The flavor possibilities are endless, here is what I came up with:
Apple Cinnamon: add 1 container organic applesauce and cinnamon
Almond Mango Surprise: Slide up 1 mango (for 2 servings), crush some almonds and add ginger
Nutty Maple Blueberry: 1/4c blueberry, 1T maple syrup, add nutmeg
Date-A-Mon: 1 date chopped, 1t vanilla, 1T coconut flakes, 1-2T crushed walnuts
Nutter-nana: 1T peanut butter or sunflower butter, 1/2 chopped or mashed banana,
The possibilities are endless...so go WILD!
Once you have decided on a few flavors, let's get packing. I pulled out 2 Tupperware containers. While the oats were "steaming" with the cover on, I filled each container with the fixens. Then, spoon equal servings of oats into each container. Cover and refrigerate for the week. (For us each serving is enough to feed the baby and myself.) When ready to use, just nook for a minute or so with a little extra liquid if needed (I use almond or coconut milk, but water or regular milk works equally as well) Voila...oatmeal for the week is done with a different flavor everyday so no one gets bored. Now...if only lunches were that easy!
Showing posts with label dough stretcher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dough stretcher. Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, December 13, 2010
Bread Time!
With saving money comes baking, so, a quiet day at home with a sick, screaming 2.5 year old who is trying to out scream his 6wks brother definitely calls for day of bread. French bread that is! It blows my mind that to buy a loaf of bread at the store constitutes me forking over $2+. Thus, let the flour tossing and dough throwing commence while baby wearing!
French Bread
2 1/2 cups flour
1t salt
1T sugar
2 1/4t yeast
1 c warm water
1. Combine all the dry ingredients in your stand mixer, then slowing beat in warm water (water should be a bit warmer than baby's bath water...if it is too hot then you will kill your yeast). Beat in your mixer for 2-3 minutes.
***If you do not have a stand mixer, then follow these directions: Combine dry ingredients with 1 1/2 cup of water. Beat with a hand mixer until combined. Then, continue to stir in the remaining flour until it is too think to stir. Then, dig in with well floured hands (or pam sprayed hands) and mix until combined.
2. Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes. If your arms get tired, then walk away, rest and then come back! You want to knead your bread to ensure it is chewy instead of crumbly. It is better to over knead then under.
3. Turn on your over to 350 degrees for 1 minute exactly...then turn off! Put your dough into a greased bowl and cover with a thin towel. Place your dough bowl in the oven to allow the dough to rise. (MAKE SURE YOUR OVEN IS OFF)
4. Allow dough to rise until it doubles (30min-1 hour). Punch down and turn out onto a floured surface. Roll flat until about the size of a small cookie sheet. Then roll up to form your french loaf. Return to your warm oven to allow to rise. (You can re-heat your oven if needed)
5. Once loaf size has doubled, then remove from oven and preheat to 400 degrees. While oven is heating, brush loaf with an egg white wash (1 egg white and 1T water). Then, using a sharp (this is key) knife carefully slash the top of your loaf diagonally 3-4 times a few inches apart.
6. Return to the oven and bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
French Bread
2 1/2 cups flour
1t salt
1T sugar
2 1/4t yeast
1 c warm water
1. Combine all the dry ingredients in your stand mixer, then slowing beat in warm water (water should be a bit warmer than baby's bath water...if it is too hot then you will kill your yeast). Beat in your mixer for 2-3 minutes.
***If you do not have a stand mixer, then follow these directions: Combine dry ingredients with 1 1/2 cup of water. Beat with a hand mixer until combined. Then, continue to stir in the remaining flour until it is too think to stir. Then, dig in with well floured hands (or pam sprayed hands) and mix until combined.
2. Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes. If your arms get tired, then walk away, rest and then come back! You want to knead your bread to ensure it is chewy instead of crumbly. It is better to over knead then under.
3. Turn on your over to 350 degrees for 1 minute exactly...then turn off! Put your dough into a greased bowl and cover with a thin towel. Place your dough bowl in the oven to allow the dough to rise. (MAKE SURE YOUR OVEN IS OFF)
4. Allow dough to rise until it doubles (30min-1 hour). Punch down and turn out onto a floured surface. Roll flat until about the size of a small cookie sheet. Then roll up to form your french loaf. Return to your warm oven to allow to rise. (You can re-heat your oven if needed)
5. Once loaf size has doubled, then remove from oven and preheat to 400 degrees. While oven is heating, brush loaf with an egg white wash (1 egg white and 1T water). Then, using a sharp (this is key) knife carefully slash the top of your loaf diagonally 3-4 times a few inches apart.
6. Return to the oven and bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Dough Stretchers
Ever have leftover crackers and need something to do with them...or, if you are like me, do you have a bunch of left over boxes if stuffing that need be used? Can't stand the thought of another bite of stuffing? Here's an idea...
Put your stuffing or crackers in a food processor and process until it is the consistency of breadcrumbs. Or, put in a ziplock bag and beat until smooth. Great way to deal with the frustration of the day!
Then, dredge your meat (porkchops, chicken, etc...) in 1 lightly beaten egg and then through your crumbs.
Finally bake or fry your meat. Simple, but tasty meal that is a easy way to use up those leftover crackers or stuffing.
Put your stuffing or crackers in a food processor and process until it is the consistency of breadcrumbs. Or, put in a ziplock bag and beat until smooth. Great way to deal with the frustration of the day!
Then, dredge your meat (porkchops, chicken, etc...) in 1 lightly beaten egg and then through your crumbs.
Finally bake or fry your meat. Simple, but tasty meal that is a easy way to use up those leftover crackers or stuffing.
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