Baking: No Knead 1 Hour Rolls

My Amish friend Katie shared a recipe with me for a roll recipe that you can make as dinner rolls or buns.  These rolls are quick to make and delicious!

I made some on Tuesday afternoon to have for dinner with grilled chicken.  They were used to make chicken sandwiches, or as a roll with dinner.

Katie hand wrote out the recipe after church one Sunday and we made copies for us ladies.  Here is the recipe with all her added notes.

I love homemade breads, and this one is one I will use over and over because of the simplicity of the recipe.  

I hope you try them.  If you do, will you let me know?

Here is a video I took yesterday morning, as I sat on our deck before the heat of the day began.  You can hear birds first, then cicadas, then our chickens, then a jet plane.  Just the quiet country life!

Getting Started

This is our verse for our school year!  I think it is a great one.  Rachel thought of it.  I always go for the one that says "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, " which is Proverbs 90:12.

Mondays are going to be busy for us as we get our morning school done and then Sarah's piano teacher arrives with her family, she has her lesson and then we start our home economics group.  We made bread yesterday.  The French Sweet Bread we all love, and that Rachel makes every month for our church's communion service.

Here is the recipe - 

French Sweet Bread

1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt (I omit the salt unless using unsalted butter, then use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon)
6 tablespoons melted butter
4 cups flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups total)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon


1. Dissolve yeast in water. Heat milk to lukewarm. In a different bowl, combine egg, sugar, cinnamon and salt, if using.
2. Add yeast, milk and 4 Tablespoons butter and mix again. Add flour gradually till it can be gathered into a soft ball. Blend in remaining flour with fingers.
3. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Use remaining butter to keep fingers from sticking. Don't use any more flour.
4. Place in lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled. Punch down and knead a few times. Divide in half, then divide each half into 3 pieces and roll each piece between hands into a long rope.
5. Braid ropes from middle, pinching ends together. Form into ring if desired, place on oiled baking sheet.
6. Cover and let double. Bake at 350º F for 30-45 minutes. 

This bread is wonderful and easy to make.  

Next week,  we are taking a field trip to the fabric store to pick out fabric for skirts.  They will be sewing simple skirts for their first projects.  Should be fun!

Now I have to go call my kids for the second time this morning.  They are used to sleeping in, and have to get used to being up earlier again.  

At least they won't be late for the bus!

Pumpkin Bread

I have been trying to keep to my grocery budget and not overspend.  My husband gets paid every two weeks so I get cash out and shop for two weeks worth of meals, snacks, dog food, toiletries etc...

I often have a bit of cash left for the 'in between' week, which I use for milk, fresh produce and eggs.

This past week, I decided to not go to the store for pantry items or other foods if I did not have the cash. This has lead to me having to really use my creativity, and stock in the pantry.  It also lead to me realizing that the pantry items had been being used but not replaced.  

And all of this leads to Pumpkin Bread.  I don't usually make it in August - it's always more of a fall item around here, but I wanted to have something other than oatmeal or toast available for breakfast or to have as a snack.

I looked in my upstairs pantry and my pantry shelves in the basement and came up with canned pumpkin.  I had all the other necessary ingredients, so yesterday morning before heading into our shoppe I whipped up my grandma's pumpkin bread recipe.

Grandma Lily's Pumpkin Bread

3 cups of Sugar

1 cup of vegetable oil

1lb pumpkin

4 eggs

3 1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp allspice

2/3 water

Mix all the ingredients together and add raisins and nuts, if you like.  This makes 2 loaves.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.  It may require more time.

Also yesterday I did one tsp of salt and it tastes just fine.  I also only used cinnamon as I am not a nutmeg or cloves fan so I don't use those spices. I have added chocolate chips to this instead of raisins before.  Yummy!

 The lovely weather we have been having and all the fall buying for the shoppe have me in the Autumn mood.  What things say Autumn to you?

A Day At Home...

I woke up very early (5:15 am) by a dog who was pacing around and apparently needed a trip outdoors.  So put on my boots and coat, grabbed a flashlight and headed out.  Once the other dog and the cat realized we were headed outside, they decided to come along too!

It was cold but not freezing and the sky at that time was clear and beautiful.  I love the sky at night when it is still absolutely dark out. 

I came back inside, made up a pan of baked oatmeal, read a bit online, and have now started bread to rise.

 The sunrise was so spectacular this morning.  I couldn't quite capture the deep red of the sky, but it was gorgeous.

I am hoping to organize my bookcases today, do a bit of reading, pick up the girls friends this afternoon for a sleepover.  I am going to take Emily into the store today and I will be there for a little bit.  I want to get completely acclimated to the whole thing.

What are you doing today?

A Bit Of Home Life...

 For several months now I have been baking our bread.  There are two blogs that I read that the gals have been sharing bread recipes and/or tips for better baking.  

The first blog I want to share with you is Rosie's Ramblings.  Rosie writes about her life at home with her dear mama Jewels, and the rest of the family.  She shared a recipe for the "best bread ever", here is a link.  This bread of mine was made from that recipe.  It is the BEST BREAD EVER!  We devoured a whole loaf this evening!  I will definitely make this recipe again and again.

Joy at Home Joys has been doing a great series on baking and if you click on the link it will take you to her newest post on bread baking - freezing dough.
 

I talked Kayleigh through making an English Apple Pie.  She did great and made it while I was sewing pillowcases this afternoon.

We got to visit with our friend Denny tonight.  It was fun. We ate bread with jam and pie and drank coffee and tea.  He goes this week to be with his family to celebrate his sister's life at a memorial service. 

Well, I should head to bed soon.  I stay up too late most of the time, and am usually the first one up in the morning.  Partly it is due to finally getting a chance to have a bit of time to myself, and partly it is because I am either reading or on my computer reading blogs!  The book I am reading right now is "Miss Read - Village School."  I am enjoying it very much.   

Okay, good night friends.  I pray you have a lovely day tomorrow.  We have had sunshine for two days in a row now - it's almost enough to make a person giddy!  


Sweet Dreams....

This Is On My Mind

I am thinking about how much I love making bread, we are loving eating our spelt bread and rolls.  

I am joining Rhonda Jean today.  Her blog inspires me to be more self sufficient.  I'll be back tomorrow with highlights from the tea.