Sweet White Bread

Today is bread making day! I had a request from my family for sweet, white bread. I always know I'm going to like a recipe when it turns out the first time I make it! I read the reviews on this recipe (from allrecipes.com) and thought about changing some things but I decided to try it the way it was written. I did not experience the things that the crabby people reviewers were not happy about. This is our favorite bread recipe and perfect results every time!
Ingredients:

2 cups warm water (110F degrees)

2/3 cup white sugar

1 1/2 T active dry yeast

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup oil (I have used canola oil but even melted butter works great)

5 1/2 - 6 cups bread flour (I think you could use all purpose white flour)

In a large bowl (I used my stand mixer bowl but I let some warm water sit in it first so that my water wouldn't cool off when I put the yeast and the water in it) dissolve sugar in warm water and stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. It took mine about 15 minutes.

Mix the oil into the yeast. Add the salt to the flour and begin to add in flour, one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth or use your dough hook on a 2 setting until the dough is smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a well oiled bowl then turn dough to coat it with the oil. Allow to rise until doubled - mine took an hour.

Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into 2 loaves and place into two well oiled 9x5 loaf pans. Allow to rise 30 minutes or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the pan. Mine rose about an hour, which was higher than 1 inch but it was still ok. Bake 350F degrees for 25-30 minutes. Place on cooling rack and remove from pans after 10 minutes to cool. You can use this dough for cinnamon or caramel rolls and even buns!

 

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi

Organizing Your Kitchen Staples Cupboard

Staples Cupboard

After I decided to start using more natural ingredients, my first project was to give my kitchen cupboards an overhaul and organize them to see exactly what I had. I got rid of all the packages and boxes and outdated food. Just a hint - if you still have McCormick metal spice tins, except for pepper...they haven't made them for 15 years - you should replace them now! (you know who you are - ha!)                               I now have my dry staples in half gallon and quart size canning jars. I try to reuse other containers if I can. I picked up a few new ones and found some at the thrift store. I bought the plastic storage lids instead of the metal lids and bands. I think they are more convenient for things that I use almost everyday. I had to label my jars - I love my label maker! Now I can look in my cupboard and see what I actually need to buy. I used to just go to the store and randomly pick up things I thought I would need, only to discover when I got home I already had three of them. So it really has saved me money and time. I only buy what's on my list. I also do most of my shopping at bulk food stores, so I just buy what I will be using for the week. I have a separate cupboard for my baking items and one for spices. So when my family wants to cook or bake - which is rare but does occasionally happen - they know where to look.

Happy organizing!

~Simply Angie

Vanilla Bean or Coconut Pudding

Here is a recipe you can use for vanilla bean pudding or coconut pudding. It seems like coconut is one of those texture things - you either love it or you don't eat it at all. I have a slight texture issue with coconut so I always use coconut flakes and chop them in very small pieces. It helps!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white or organic sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

pinch of salt

3 cups white milk (skim, 1%, 2%, whole) You can also substitute some of the milk with cream or half and half

1/2 cup coconut flakes or shredded coconut (optional)

1 vanilla bean

2 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in the milk and bring to boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and keep stirring for about 4 minutes until thick. If you are adding vanilla bean make sure you cut your bean in half and slice down the middle. Then scrape the insides onto a plate or cutting board and put in your pan.

Remove from the stove and stir in the vanilla extract. Add coconut (if you want) and stir. Place in small bowls and cover with plastic cling wrap. Place in refrigerator if you want your pudding cold, otherwise serve it warm. 

Coconut Pudding

Love and peace,

Tammi

Sewing Cloth Napkins

One of the first items that I stopped buying once I decided that I was "getting back to the basics" was paper napkins! The cost can really add up over a year and where do all those napkins go? I decided that since I have to wash clothes anyway I told my husband that we would be using cloth napkins, effective immediately! I wash my napkins with my towels. We use a new napkin for each meal. I have my favorite every day napkins and I save my "fancy" set of 12 for entertaining the family! For some reason, everyone (even the kids) love using cloth napkins!

Here are some simple ways you can make this happen:

1. I found some vintage napkins (they belonged to my Great-Aunt) packed away so my first step was to wash them then I started using them. I really have no idea why I was "saving them!"  
2. If you do not have any napkins packed away, shop for them at the thrift store or garage sales. Many of the napkins you find are brand new and some even still have the price tags on them!
3. Shop shop shop! At the end of each season you can buy some very expensive, beautiful napkins on clearance for cheap, cheap, cheap. I found a package of 4 yesterday for $1.89.  
4. Request them as gifts - my sister, daughter, and mom do this and I'm thrilled with that!

         ** If you don't like to sew...stop here...buy your cloth napkins!

1. If none of these suggestions appeal to you and you are a do-it-yourself person, sew your own napkins. You can use any material that you like, cut them to any size, use your favorite colors and the best thing is they don't even have to match! 
2. You will need material. If I have to buy material I always shop for remnants and material on clearance. You can also find great deals on tablecloths or sheets on clearance - just cut these up and use them for napkins. I have even been known to repurpose an old dress. Garage sales are also a great place to find material remnants. Use your imagination!
3. Decide the size of your napkins. Mine range from 12 inches x 12 inches to 17 inches x 17 inches. You don't have to make them square - I just like them that way. I fold my material in half and measure 1/2 of the size of my napkin plus one inch. So if I want a 12 inch napkin, I measure from the fold 7 inches going up (the sides). Then I measure the top - this will be 13 inches (the full length of your napkin). You can use another napkin folded for the pattern, card stock, or cardboard (just make sure it is the correct measurement). Then cut your material. Repeat until you have the number of napkins you want to make.
   
   
   • Once you have cut your material, fold the edges once (up to 1/2 inch) and iron them toward the inside of the napkin. 
   • Fold them once more and iron them so you have a clean, finished edge. 
   • You are now ready to sew them! It doesn't really matter the order you sew, but it's easier for me to decide the top, I sew the top first then the bottom. I sew the sides last. This way the edges at the corners will be finished the same. 
   • If you can sew a straight (or somewhat straight stitch, you can do this!)
   • It takes about an hour to make 8 napkins and your friends and family will love love love them!
   
   

   

   your new napkin - done!

   
   

   

   Almost done!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi