Okay, now what?

[grasswire]

Holiday over, here. Family party today, all done now. Unfortunately, I've got the baking bug real real bad but not much outlet for it -- not enough mouths to really use things up and I hate to throw it away. I think I will feed the bug by working to perfect some things with not much product. Such as....I have never found a chocolate pie filling that I really like. That might keep me busy for a couple of weeks.

I'd like to perfect Danish pastry.

And I'm going to solve the riddle of those Saveur Parker House rolls.

What are your late winter plans for repertoire?

[Lucinda]

1. Pasta for me

Good basic dough, flavored pastas, filled ravioli - all with simple sauces.

I am on a mission!

[grasswire]

7. I used to do the whole thing where you make a well in the flour..

...right on the counter top, and work in the liquids, and use a pasta machine. Haven't done that in years. Gave teh pasta machine to someone for crafts, I think.

Enjoy the experimenting!

[Lucinda]

14. Thank you! I don't have a machine but may be able to borrow one

If not, it will be handmade for me!

[Denninmi]

2. I'm going to bake my way through as many kinds of breads as possible.

I have one advantage -- if something is a flop or just doesn't get used, I can recycle it into some nice fresh eggs by feeding it to my chickens.

[Tesha]

3. Well I just found yesterday...

the perfect recipe for cinnamon buns - boy - were they ever good!
and the best part is I can freeze half of them for work breakfasts!

Now I'm on the hunt for satisfying yet low cal winer meals.
Everything we love is just loaded with calories - and it shows!
Boy - does it ever show!

[housewolf]

10. Will you share?

I'm always on a quest for "the best cinnamon buns" ... would love the ones you recommend so highly.

Please???? Pretty please with your favorite on top???

[Tesha]

13. mmmm Cinnamon!!!

http://aperfectloaf.com/breads/cinnamon-rolls/


so easy - so light and rich ...

Mix together...
1 t. Yeast
2 T. Sugar
1 C. Water
4 C. Flour
1 Egg
3 T. Butter
3 T. Dry Milk
2 t. Salt
Process 45 seconds in a food processor.
___________________Let raise until doubled (maybe 90 minutes where warm and moist)

Roll out flat
Butter the top surface
Sprinkle with copious amounts of Cinnamon sugar and well soaked raisins (soaked in Triple Sec today)
Roll tightly into a log and cut into 12 and place in 2 buttered cake pans (sprinkled with pecans if you have them)
___________________Let raise until doubled (maybe 90 minutes where warm and moist)

Bake at around 400° for around 25 or 30 minutes and spread more butter on the top before they cool.
Mix Confectioners Sugar with a little milk to make a loose frosting to drizzle over the warm rolls.

___

[housewolf]

16. Thanks!

I'll be giving these a try this week

[yellerpup]

4. Most memorable chocolate filling I ever had was

at a friend's house. Her son-in-law was a chef and he made a chocolate pie with figs. Delicious and unexpected! As for late winter plans, I have to stay off my feet (graduated permissions for movement) for 2 weeks per the ER doctor last night. Slipped on ice yesterday then walked home 3/4 mile and did myself no favors. Can't wait to read your results, grasswire! :hi:

[grasswire]

6. oh no!

I hate it when we are forced to pay attention to ambulation because of pain. Take care, YP! Ice and vicodin if you have it. Heh.

[yellerpup]

8. Ice (and snow)--we got plenty.

I was prescribed ibuprofen, the 600mg tabs. I am very sensitive to drugs, so anything above baby aspirin works for me. Am still the cheap date I always have been, sadly. You are right, being laid up definitely cramps a person's style!

[grasswire]

9. two months ago my border collie whacked into my knee...

...from the side, and it is still messed up. I hate that.

[yellerpup]

12. Wow! Two months and still messed up.

You must have seriously injured some ligaments for the healing to take so long. Well, at least you have a friendly border collie to give you kisses while you're recuperating. ;-)

[hippywife]

17. Whoa!

Didn't you just do something similar not too long ago? Watch yerself, sis! Please heal well and soon. :hug:

[yellerpup]

18. I did last July (also when the Moon entered Pisces!)

this one is not nearly as bad. Walking on fresh snow with pitted ice underneath is tricky! Thanks, honey, I'll be okay. :hug:

[Inchworm]

5. Hamburgers on the grill

I got a wild hair yesterday because I just wanted some. Brrr, it's cold out there lol

:hi:

[housewolf]

11. I have the "Baked Explorations" cookbook from the library for 3 whole weeks

I've been on the waiting list for it since last October (it's popular and only 1 copy in the county library system, I've had to be patient).

It's the book my favorite brownie recipe comes from, by the guys who run the Baked pastry shop/bakery in New York. I just got it yesterday and looking through it last night, there are many things I'd like to try. Like their "Sweet & Salty Brownie" which is their brownie recipe with a caramel/ fleur de sel filling in the middle. There are a number of intriguing malt recipes, such as a Malted Crisp Tart and Malted Milk Sandwich Cookies. Other intriguing recipes - Maple Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies, Ginger Rum Molasses Cookies, 2 versions of Mississippi Mud Pie, Peach & Dream Pie, Rosemary Apricot Squares, and so on... and so on...

This will keep me busy for the next few weeks! Good thing I didn't eat too many of those Christmas cookies I made this past season :-)

Happy baking to all my DU C&B friends!

[Blues Heron]

15. Just baked a 1/4 whole wheat bread

3 cups white, one cup whole wheat. Wanted to tenderize it a bit as the latest breads have been a little tough around the edges when toasted, so I added some melted butter to the mix, worked like a charm, crust nice and soft, I think it added a sweetness factor too.