Tender Potato Bread

So- I just completed my first daring bakers challenge! :) Making bread is nothing new to me, I have my favorite recipes, but I have never made a potato bread. This was like NOTHING else!!! Very, very sticky and very tender. I used 12 ounces of potato, half idaho, half red potato. I don't think I kneaded in enough flour at the end, I used less than 2 cups and could NOT shape the bread. I ended up plopping the dough into a loaf pan and plopping and smushing unto a stone for the foccacia bread. I used a mixture of pepper, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil for the foccacia bread, it was really tasty with lunch meat the next day. Hope you enjoy the recipe and ON TO THE NEXT CHALLANGE!!


Coming out of the oven, just caught it, almost had an I love lucy moment!




The loaf of bread.

Foccacia bread, mmmmmm

Tender Potato Bread
(from Home Baking: The Artful Mix of Flour & Tradition Around the World by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid; who also wrote Hot Sour Salty Sweet)

Makes 1 large tender-crumbed pan loaf AND something more; one 10X15 inch crusty yet tender foccacia, 12 soft dinner rolls, or a small pan loaf

Suggested Toppings:

For Loaves and Rolls: melted butter (optional)

For Foccacia: olive oil, coarse salt, and rosemary leaves (optional; also see variation)

For Anchovy-Onion Focaccia: Instead of oil, salt, and rosemary, top with onions slow-cooked in olive oil or bacon fat, a scattering of chopped anchovy fillets, and flat-leafed parsley leaves.

Alternate fillings, seasons, shapes are up to you.

Potatoes and potato water give this bread wonderful flavor and texture. The dough is very soft and moist and might feel a little scary if you’ve never handled soft dough before. But don’t worry: Leaving it on parchment or wax paper to proof and to bake makes it easy to handle.

Once baked, the crumb is tender and airy, with tiny soft pieces of potato in it and a fine flecking of whole wheat. The loaves have a fabulous crisp texture on the outside and a slightly flat-topped shape. They make great toast and tender yet strong sliced bread for sandwiches. The dinner rolls are soft and inviting, and the focaccia is memorable.

Ingredients:

4 medium to large floury (baking) potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks.
Tanna Note: For the beginner bread baker I suggest no more than 8 ounces of potato; for the more advanced no more than 16 ounces. The variety of potatoes you might want to use would include Idaho, Russet & Yukon gold, there are others.

4 cups(950 ml) water, reserve cooking water
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
6 ½ cups to 8 ½ cups (1 kg to 1350g) unbleached all-purpose
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (130g) whole wheat flour

Making the Dough (Directions will be for making by hand):

Put the potatoes and 4 cups water in a sauce pan and bring to boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and cook, half covered, until the potatoes are very tender.

Drain the potatoes, SAVE THE POTATO WATER, and mash the potatoes well. Tanna Note: I have a food mill I will run my potatoes through to mash them.

Measure out 3 cups(750ml) of the reserved potato water. Add extra water if needed to make 3 cups. Place the water and mashed potatoes in the bowl you plan to mix the bread dough in. Let cool to lukewarm (70-80°F/21 - 29°C) – stir well before testing the temperature – it should feel barely warm to your hand. You should be able to submerge you hand in the mix and not be uncomfortable.

Add yeast to 2 cups all-purpose flour and whisk. Add yeast and flour to the cooled mashed potatoes & water and mix well. Allow to rest/sit 5 minutes.

Note about Adding Yeast: If using Active Dry Yeast or Fresh yeast, mix & stir yeast into cooled water and mashed potatoes & water and let stand 5 minutes. Then add 2 cups of flour to the yeast mix and allow to rest several minutes. If using Instant Dry Yeast, add yeast to 2 cups all-purpose flour and whisk. Add yeast and flour to the cooled mashed potatoes & water and mix well. Allow to rest/sit 5 minutes.

Sprinkle in the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and the softened butter; mix well. Add the 1 cup whole wheat flour, stir briefly.

Add 2 cups of the unbleached all-purpose flour and stir until all the flour has been incorporated.
Tanna Note: At this point you have used 4 cups of the possible 8 ½ cups suggested by the recipe.

Turn the dough out onto a generously floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, incorporating flour as needed to prevent sticking. The dough will be very sticky to begin with, but as it takes up more flour from the kneading surface, it will become easier to handle; use a dough scraper to keep your surface clean. The kneaded dough will still be very soft. Place the dough in a large clean bowl or your rising container of choice, cover with plastic wrap or lid, and let rise about 2 hours or until doubled in volume.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently several minutes. It will be moist and a little sticky.

Forming the Bread:
Tanna Note: It is at this point you are requested to Unleash the Daring Baker within. The following is as the recipe is written. You are now free to follow as written or push it to a new level.

Divide the dough into 2 unequal pieces in a proportion of one-third and two-thirds (one will be twice as large as the other). Place the smaller piece to one side and cover loosely.

To shape the large loaf:
Butter a 9 x 5 x 2.5 inch loaf/bread pan. Flatten the larger piece of dough on the floured surface to an approximate 12 x 8 inch oval, then roll it up from a narrow end to form a loaf. Pinch the seam closed and gently place seam side down in the buttered pan. The dough should come about three-quarters of the way up the sides of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 35 to 45 minutes, until puffy and almost doubled in volume.

To make a small loaf with the remainder:
Butter an 8x4X2 inch bread pan. Shape and proof the loaf the same way as the large loaf.

To make rolls:
Butter a 13 x 9 inch sheet cake pan or a shallow cake pan. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball under the palm of your floured hand and place on the baking sheet, leaving 1/2 inch between the balls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 35 minutes, until puffy and almost doubled.

To make focaccia:
Flatten out the dough to a rectangle about 10 x 15 inches with your palms and fingertips. Tear off a piece of parchment paper or wax paper a little longer than the dough and dust it generously with flour. Transfer the focaccia to the paper. Brush the top of the dough generously with olive oil, sprinkle on a little coarse sea salt, as well as some rosemary leaves, if you wish and then finally dimple all over with your fingertips. Cover with plastic and let rise for 20 minutes.

Baking the bread(s):

Note about baking order: bake the flat-bread before you bake the loaf; bake the rolls at the same time as the loaf.

Note about Baking Temps: I believe that 450°F(230°C) is going to prove to be too hot for the either the large or small loaf of bread for the entire 40/50 minutes. I am going to put the loaves in at 450°(230°C) for 10 minutes and then turn the oven down to 375°F (190 °C) for the remaining time.

Note about cooling times: Let all the breads cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Rolls can be served warm or at room temperature.

For loaves and rolls:
Dust risen loaves and rolls with a little all-purpose flour or lightly brush the tops with a little melted butter or olive oil (the butter will give a golden/browned crust). Slash loaves crosswise two or three times with a razor blade or very sharp knife and immediately place on the stone, tiles or baking sheet in the oven. Place the rolls next to the loaf in the oven.

Bake rolls until golden, about 30 minutes. Bake the small loaf for about 40 minutes. Bake the large loaf for about 50 minutes.

Transfer the rolls to a rack when done to cool. When the loaf or loaves have baked for the specified time, remove from the pans and place back on the stone, tiles or baking sheet for another 5 to 10 minutes. The corners should be firm when pinched and the bread should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

For foccaia:
Place a baking stone or unglazed quarry tiles, if you have them, if not use a no edged baking/sheet (you want to be able to slide the shaped dough on the parchment paper onto the stone or baking sheet and an edge complicates things). Place the stone or cookie sheet on a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450°F/230°C.

If making foccacia, just before baking, dimple the bread all over again with your fingertips. Leaving it on the paper, transfer to the hot baking stone, tiles or baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack (remove paper) and let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

The BEST pie crust,ever!!!

I know many people hate making pie crusts... I've never really minded making them, but this is the best recipe I've ever used. Homemade is soooo much better than frozen :) I found this at allrecipes.com

Basic Flaky Pie Crust

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening, chilled
• 3 tablespoons ice water

1. Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the cold shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water over flour. Toss mixture with a fork to moisten, adding more water a few drops at a time until the dough comes together.
2. Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
3. Roll out dough, and put in a pie plate. Fill with desired filling and bake.

Nutella Truffles

Nutella Truffles

These are soooo good. They are like peanut butter balls, or buckeyes that everyone makes for christmas, just a different twist on the idea. They are extremely easy to make, took no time at all, other than the chilling time. Make sure to use cinnamon graham crackers because the cinnamon adds a different depth to the balls. I think I'm now addicted to Nutella!! Pictures will be coming later :)

Sorry for the bad pics, but it gives you an idea :)





1 1/2 cups of Nutella
24 cinnamon graham cracker squares, crushed
1 cup powdered sugar
1 T whipping cream
12 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
2 tsp shortening
2 T finely chopped toasted hazelnuts *optional

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper, set aside. Beat chocolate-hazelnut spread and crushed graham crackers in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Gradually stir in powdered sugar. Stir in whipping cream to make a stiff mixture. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; place balls on prepared baking sheet. Chill for 1 hour.

2. Cook and stir chocolate and shortening in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth.
Remove from heat. Quickly dip balls, one at a time, into melted chocolate using a fork. Draw the fork across the rim of the saucepan to remove excess chocolate. Place candy on the baking sheet lined with waxed paper. If desired, sprinkle with hazelnuts. Chill for about 2 hour or until set. Makes 54

To store: Place candy in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Pork with Gorgonzola Sauce

If you love blue cheese, you will love this recipe. If you don't love blue cheese, you will still love it. The sauce is so smooth and full of flavor. It goes great on chicken, on mashed potatoes, on bread, on anything really. It's also really quick and easy to make with chicken, which is what we did the first time. My husband grilled it after marinating in the mustard mix. Also really great with the Pork tenderloin.

Pork with Gorgonzola Sauce

Pork
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 3/4-pound pork tenderloins

Gorgonzola sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1/4 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (about 4 ounces)

For pork: Oil large rimmed baking sheet. Whisk Dijon mustard, olive oil and thyme in small bowl to blend. Sprinkle pork tenderloins with salt and pepper. Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pork and sear until brown all over, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer seared pork to prepared baking sheet. Spread Dijon mustard mixture over all sides of pork. (Can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead. Refrigerate pork uncovered.)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Roast pork until thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 150°F, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare sauce: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon flour and whisk 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whipping cream, white wine and chicken broth. Boil until mixture is thick enough to coat spoon, whisking frequently, about 1 minute. Add crumbled Gorgonzola and whisk until cheese is melted and smooth and sauce is reduced to desired consistency, about 5 minutes.

Slice pork and transfer to plates. Ladle some sauce over pork. Serve, passing additional sauce separately.

Makes 6 servings.

Spicy Shrimp with Andouille Sausage on Grits

Andouille Sausage, again :)
This recipe is wonderful. I have made it twice now, once for our anniversary dinner and once for us and a friend. Ignore the amount of fat in it, it is seriously wonderful. The green sauce is THE HOTTEST STUFF I HAVE EVER TASTED. I can handle anything spicy, this I could not eat. My husband LOVED it. A cajun friend said this stuff was HOT. So, if you make it, taste a drop before adding to your plate. The first time I made it I used kielbasa sausage because (as stated in a previous post) I could not find andouille sausage, but if you can find it, use it. It makes it much better.

Our table set for our anniversary dinner, awwww :) *disclaimer* We do not drink alcoholic drinks, that is sparking white grape juice :)

Kinda blurry, sorry, this was taken before I learned how to take pics of food!

Spicy Shrimp with Andouille Sausage on Grits
from epicurious.com

Ingredients

1/3 cup green hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1 shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 cup whipping cream

5 cups water
3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups corn grits*

1/4 cup olive oil
8 ounces smoked andouille sausage,** sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup minced onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
30 uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

Combine hot pepper sauce, wine, shallot, lemon juice and vinegar in heavy medium saucepan. Boil over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup cream. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Bring 1/2 cup cream, 5 cups water, milk and butter to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits. Simmer until grits are very soft and thickened, stirring frequently, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, both bell peppers, onion and garlic; sauté until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Add shrimp, tomatoes, Cajun seasoning and Old Bay seasoning and sauté until shrimp are opaque in center, about 6 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Bring hot pepper-cream sauce to simmer. Spoon grits onto 6 plates, dividing equally. Spoon shrimp mixture over grits. Drizzle hot pepper-cream sauce over and serve.

*Corn grits, also known as polenta, are available at Italian markets, natural foods stores and some supermarkets. If unavailable, substitute 2 cups regular yellow cornmeal, and cook about 30 minutes.

**A smoked pork-and-beef sausage available at specialty foods stores. Smoked bratwurst, kielbasa or smoked Hungarian sausage can be substituted.

Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions on French Bread

This is the first time I have ever had brie or caramelized onions. I didn't care for brie, my husband and a friend liked it, but the flavor of the cheese just didn't do it for me. However, I LOVED the caramelized onions, next time I think I will try this with goat cheese.

Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions on French Bread
One half of a loaf french bread, sliced in half lengthways
butter for spreading
2T. butter
2 large onions, sliced
1/4 tsp thyme

2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1tsp sugar

8 ounce brie

Melt butter in heavy very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until just tender, about 6 minutes. Add thyme, reduce heat to medium and cook until onions are golden, stirring often, about 25 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add 2 T wine; stir until almost all liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle sugar over onions and sauté until soft and brown, about 10 minutes. Add remaining 2 T wine; stir just until liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be prepare 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare brie and soften until able to spread. Spread french bread lightly with butter, spread with brie, top with caramelized onions. Bake in oven until brie is melted and bread is lightly brown on edges.

Andouille Sausage, Apple and Pecan Dressing

Wow! It's been a while since I have updated! I promise that I do cook, most nights actually. I'm just not very good at taking pictures and posting! Well, finally here is an update.

Andouille Sausage, Apple and Pecan Dressing. Sounds good, yes? This is loosely based from a recipe from Southern Living, I just added my own tweaks. I liked it, my husband LOVED it and at least one lady from church loved it.

I didn't take any pictures of this because dressing is something really hard to take pics of and make it look appetizing! Andouille sausage is a spiced, heavily smoked, pork, cajun/Louisiana sausage, when I lived in TN I could not find it anywhere. Here in Louisiana we have several brands to choose from :)

Andouille Sausage, Apple and Pecan Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 c. butter or margarine, divided + 2T
1 1/2 cups white cornmeal
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 T sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 eggs, divided
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 cups frozen Garlic bread, thawed and cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 T. Sage
1 T. pepper
Chicken broth, about 2 cans, maybe more
3/4 pound diced, Andouille sausage
2 Granny Smith apples, diced
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Place 1/4 cup butter in a 8 inch pan; heat in oven at 425° for 4 minutes.

Combine cornmeal and next 5 ingredients; whisk in 2 eggs and buttermilk.

Pour hot butter into batter, stirring until blended. Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

Crumble cornbread into a large bowl; stir in garlic bread, and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onions and celery, and sauté until tender. Stir in sage, and sauté 1 more minute. Set aside, melt 2 T of butter in skillet and saute apple until tender.

Brown Andouille sausage in a skillet over medium heat; drain.

Stir vegetables, remaining 2 eggs, chicken broth, and pepper into cornbread mixture. Add sausage, Granny Smith apples, and pecans into cornbread mixture; pour evenly into 1 lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Bake, uncovered at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until done.