The begining of Summer

Summer is a time for fresh raw and healthy food. I encourage everyone to go to farmers markets and see what local produce is out there.  This time of year I bake a lot of bread and make many salads, raw food dishes and fresh fruit dishes.

One of my  favorite chicken salads to make is a Lemon Pepper and Basil salad.

I roast a few chicken breast. Some times I will braise them in beer. Meaning I will season the breast then put half a bottle of beer, usually a dark amber in a cooking pan. like a 1/4 sheet baking dish cover it with plastic wrap the tin foil and cook for 1 1/2 hours. The meat comes out flavorful and tender.
The I cube it up. throw it into a bowl. I then add 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayo, Fresh basil that I cut up, 2 tbsp. lemon pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives, and 1/4 tsp lemon juice.  Makes a great salad.

Now you can do the same thing and omit the sour cream and mayo for dairy reasons. Just make sure to taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. You can also add just 1/2 tbsp. of olive or grapeseed oil to the recipe with out the mayo/sour cream.

Happy Eating.

Dairy Free Recipe of the day

Morning.

Chilly this spring day as I sit and drink my coffee looking for my recipes that I  thought would be a nice dish to eat. I am reminded of how mom used to make potato pancakes and thought that would be a great recipe to post. Some people call them potato pancakes some call them latkes. Swedish for well potato pancakes, and its Dairy Free.

Makes 6
6-8 medium potatoes
1 tbsp. onion, minced
2 eggs
3tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
 1/2 tsp baking powder

Peel and grate potatoes. Add onion and let mixture stand about 15 minutes. Pour off liquid. Beat eggs slightly and blend into  potato mixture. Add flour, salt,  and baking powder and mix well.  Cook spoonfuls of mixture in a hot well oiled skillet. Serve with apple sauce.

You can also do this in a blender..


I am also on a chicken kick. So here is another favorite of mine but dairy free.

Chinese Chicken Salad
1 lb chicken breast
2oz Cellophane noodles
Oil
2tbsp slivered almonds
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 small head of lettuce, cut in strips or shredded
4 stalks green onion, chopped
( I liked to use cabbage , and ramen noodles as well in my salad)

Shred chicken meat. Cook the cellophane noodles  in hot oil and few at a time. Drain in paper towel. toast almonds and sesame seeds in a skillet with out oil. Arrage the lettuce in a salad bowl. Top with cellophane noodles, chicken, onion, almonds and sesame seeds. Dress and toss

Dressing
2tbsp. sugar
1tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tbsp. vinegar

Blend together


Happy Eating

No Dairy

One of my high school friends has chosen to go dairy free for his family and their needs  I will be posting No Dairy recipes for them.  There is dairy in a lot of food items. More often than not people do not realize how much dairy is used in every day food..

Some of the items that have dairy that you wouldn't think has it are
Bologna
Hot Dogs
Pepperoni
Salami
Sausage
Unless they are kosher meats. I have learned a little bit about dairy allergies when I have been cooking for other people.  If you are avoiding dairy some of the items to look for on the labels include
lactoglobin
casein
lactalbumin
Sodium Caseinate
Whey
Lactose
The last two most people recognize. The others are used in a variety of products to include cheese and meats as binders..

Faux Milk Shake
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup milk substitute
1 banana
3-6 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender until frothy.


Quick and Easy Yeast Rolls
1 pkg active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg , beaten
2 1/2 cup flour
Milk free margarine

Dissolve yeast in water with a 2 1/2 qt bowl. Add sugar, oil, salt and egg. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.  Stir in 1 cup  flour until  smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area. About 15 min. Grease 9 in square pan. Stir down batter and add 1 1/2 cup flour. Blend until mixed well and turn onto floured  surface. Knead 3 minutes. If sticky ad 1/4 cup flour and knead it into the dough.  Divide dough into 16 pieces and shape into balls. Arrange in pan  and brush tops with margarine.  Cover and let rise 25 minutes.  Preheat oven to 425 bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack..


Stay tuned more recipes to come.....

Happy Eating

getting back in the swing

To my readers,

I have been too regular about posting. My mom recently died and I have been trying to force my self to get back on the horse and keep going. My mom was the original tester of my recipes. Before anyone got to try it mom did. It was sudden that she passed and trying to get the household back on track has been a task.

Mom was one of the inspirations for cooking and always trying something new. She will be greatly  missed.

I will be working on more recipes to come and post on here, One day at a time and I will keep adding. Please feel free to ask questions about food, cake, cooking. I would love to help you all out.


Thank you

Amish White Bread

As I have a love of bread. I am always searching for recipes to try and then turn into my own. I found and tested one yesterday that is simple and might actually replace me buying white sandwich bread from the store.

I found this some where  on line but I didn't note the site. So it is not my original creation, but I will be experimenting with it in the future to see what I can add to it to improve it.

Here is the original recipe as found

2 cups warm water about 110 degrees
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups flour ( I used 3 all purpose, 3 bread)

Put sugar in bowl fitted with a dough hook and add water. Stir to dissolve and sprinkle yeast over the top.
Let it stand to get foamy about 5-15 minutes . Depending on the temperature in your house.
Then add oil, salt and 3 cups of flour.
Mix for about 1 minute, then add the rest of the flour.
Let the mixer go until the dough forms a ball  and doesn't stick to the sides.
Remove dough from bowl knead it by hand for 2 minutes until  it forms a soft round ball.
Grease a bowl and put the dough in it , turning once to coat the dough with the grease.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place and rise. About 1 hour.
After doubling, punch dough down
Divide equally in half.
Roll each half into a rectangle.
Roll each rectangle up like a jelly roll. Tuck the ends
Grease 7x9 loaf pans .
Place rolled dough seam side down into the loaf pans.
Let rise 45-60 minutes covered with plastic wrap in a warm place.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes
When they come out I usually brush with butter to give the top a shiny appearance.


Hope your bread turns out as well as mine did..
Happy Eating.