The Urban Homemaker Blog

Category: Recipes

  • How To Cook The Perfect Egg… or, being thankful for the simple things in life

    How To Cook The Perfect Egg… or, being thankful for the simple things in life

    tumblr_lm110yHDTw1qdcvmcIf you’ve ever tried peeling a “farm-fresh” hard-boiled egg you can probably relate to my frustration over what seems like an impossible task!  We have had chickens for 16 years, and until just a few weeks ago I struggled with removing the shell from a hard-boiled egg!  I’ve read, and been told many tips and tricks to getting it done, but none of those provided a consistent smooth outcome!

    Recently, I came across a brief article in Mother Earth Living that gave simple instructions, which I followed, and got great results!  And not just once – it’s worked perfectly for me several times now!

    Here are my “slightly revised” easy-to-follow steps:

    • Bring eggs to room temperature
    • Bring a pot of water to a rapid boil
    • Carefully lower eggs into water with a spoon
    • Cover pot and boil hard for 14 minutes
    • Drain and put eggs immediately into cold water
    • Lightly crack each shell all over and then gently roll it between your hands and remove shell

    It is amazing what emotions overwhelm us in the process of just the simple things in life!  I can honestly admit to sheer frustration (anger?) in trying to get the shells off eggs for those Deviled Eggs I was taking to the church potluck!  And then – the happiness and thankfulness I felt when I used this method and the shells just slipped off easily!

    Maybe it’s “the simple things in life” that are our true tests.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Homestyle Gluten-free Bread

    glutenfree

    If you’ve been looking for a dependable recipe for a gluten-free sandwich bread- look no further!

    Once you’ve compiled all the ingredients for this bread, the recipe comes together easily and quickly, with family-pleasing results!

    Or, see the Urban Homemaker’s Baking Supplies category for the Urban Homemaker’s NEW Gluten-free Bread Mix* – and make it even easier!

    This recipe was developed for my Bosch kitchen mixer – you could do it by hand, but the Bosch Universal Plus makes it a piece of cake!

    HOMESTYLE GLUTEN-FREE BREAD

    This recipe can be made using one package of the Urban Homemaker’s Gluten-free Bread Mix.

    Makes 3 (1 1/2 pound) loaves.

    2 cups brown rice flour

    2 cups white rice flour

    1  cup tapioca flour

    1/2 cup millet flour

    1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour

    2 tablespoons xanthan gum

    2 tablespoons SAF instant  yeast

    2 teaspoons sea salt

    4 eggs, slightly beaten

    1/2 cup canola oil

    1/2 cup honey

    2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    3 cups warm water

    Mix all the dry ingredients well in your Bosch mixer bowl using the dough hook.  In another bowl, mix the eggs, oil, honey, and vinegar.  Add the warm water and the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix on speed 1 for five minutes, cleaning the sides with a spatula after a minute or so.

    Remove the bowl from the mixer and the dough hook from the bowl.  Using a rubber scraper, spoon the dough evenly between 3 standard size loaf pans, smoothing the tops to improve the appearance and remove air bubbles.

    Set aside to rise approximately 30-45 minutes.  When the loaves have risen nicely, bake in a 350* oven for 35 – 40 minutes, until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from pans.

    PLEASE NOTE:  The Urban Homemaker’s Gluten-Free Bread Mix is a compilation of gluten-free ingredients, but these ingredients are not packaged in a gluten-free facility.

  • Brunch Egg Casserole

    BRUNCH EGG CASSEROLE

    Serves 12

    Here’s a hearty,” assemble the night before” dish

    which includes tasty, basic ingredients!

    1 pound bacon, cut into small pieces

    2 cups cooked ham, chopped

    1 small onion, chopped

    10 slices bread (a French loaf works great), cubed

    1 cup cooked potatoes, cubed

    1 cup cooked asparagus, cut into small pieces (optional)

    3 cups of your favorite shredded cheese

    8 eggs

    3 cups milk

    1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

    1 teaspoon ground mustard

    1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper

    Cook bacon pieces in a skillet until crisp ; add ham and onion and cook until onion is tender; drain. In a greased 9×13 pan, layer half the bread cubes, potatoes, asparagus, and cheese. Top with all the bacon mixture. Add remaining layers of bread, vegetables, and cheese. In a bowl, beat the eggs; add milk and seasonings. Pour egg mixture over pan ingredients. Cover and chill overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered at 325* for 70 minutes, or until a knife stuck in the middle comes out clean.

     

     

  • Quick Homemade Apple Fritters

     

    1 cup unbleached flour

    1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    2 tablespoons sugar

    1 egg

    1/3 cup milk

    1 1/2 cups chopped apples

    canola oil for frying

    Sugar/cinnamon to roll fritters in

    Heat an inch, or so, of canola oil, over medium heat, in a small skillet until approximately 400*.  Prepare recipe while oil is heating.   Mix dry ingredients.  In separate bowl, beat egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients and mix well.  Add chopped apples.  Drop small spoonfuls into 400* oil and fry until golden brown, turning once.  Remove from oil, and drain on paper towels.  Roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

    Makes approximately 20 small fritters

  • Making Playdough At Home – A Recipe For FUN!

     

    Although my own children have outgrown this activity, we still get to enjoy it now and then when entertaining other young ones!  It never fails to bring smiles, and is a safe, economical remedy for those “winter doldrums”!

    This recipe, which I’ve had for years, is easily made, with simple ingredients you have in your cupboard, and keeps very well.

    Homemade Playdough

    1 cup flour

    1/2 cup salt

    2 T. vegetable oil

    2 t. cream of tartar

    1 cup water

    Few drops of food color

    Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Cook and stir until the mixture leaves the side of the pan and changes consistency.  Dump out onto plate, or counter, and let cool enough to handle.  It is fun to work with when it is warm and very soft and does not require extra flour on hands or table like some recipes do.  This playdough stays soft and fun for a long time if it is stored in a zip-top plastic bag.

  • Soft and Simple Yeast Rolls

    1 cup water

    1/2 cup butter

    1/2 cup sugar or honey

    3 eggs

    1 teaspoon sea salt

    1 tablespoon SAF (instant) yeast

    4 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour

    (or substitute part of this with freshly ground whole wheat flour)

    Today I used one cup of whole wheat flour – Excellent results!

    Heat water and butter until butter is nearly melted.  Pour into mixing bowl and add sugar/honey, eggs, and salt.  Mix well.  In a separate small bowl combine the yeast with one cup of the flour.  Add this to your mixing bowl along with the remaining flour.  If you used honey add an extra 3/4 cup flour.  Mix well for several minutes.  I use my Bosch Universal Mixer with the dough hook for this recipe, although the dough is too wet to be kneaded.  You can also do this by hand with a wooden spoon.  Put the dough into a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.  On the day you want to serve them, shape the cold dough into rolls with oiled hands and place on a greased baking sheet.  For 20 dinner rolls, shape the dough into balls a bit larger than “golf-ball size”.  Let rise for 3 to 4 hours, until rolls look fat and puffy.  A warm room will hasten the rising time and a cold room will slow it down.  Bake in a 350* oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.


  • Healthy Blender Pancakes

     

    We were hungry for pancakes this morning, and I’ve been wanting to try Marilyn’s Blender Pancake recipe in her wonderful cookbook, Breakfasts for Busy Moms. We were not disappointed!  If you haven’t put your Bosch blender to the test yet, try it out with this recipe!  It’s AMAZING!  Put the ingredients into the blender (all except the baking powder and baking soda) and blend on high speed for 4 minutes.  Add the baking powder and soda and blend briefly.  Pour batter right from the blender onto a hot, lightly oiled griddle.  One recipe makes enough for 4 people, and it got “thumbs up” from the whole family!  I used 1 1/2 cups of a cracked 9-grain blend that I’ve had awhile, but a whole 7-grain blend would work great, as well as the combinations Marilyn suggests in the cookbook.  Even using just one whole or cracked grain, such as wheat, spelt, etc., would work just fine!   Wouldn’t it be interesting to try buckwheat as a gluten-free alternative?  I used buttermilk, but for those of you who are dairy-free, fruit juice would work as the liquid.   These healthy, hearty, yummy pancakes are a wonderful way to start the day.

    MARILYN’S FAMILY FAVORITE BLENDER PANCAKES

    1 3/4 cup buttermilk (or fruit juice)

    1 egg

    2 T. olive oil

    1 t. vanilla

    2 T. honey

    1 t. salt

    1/2 cup raw brown rice

    1/2 cup pastry wheat or Kamut

    1/2 cup rolled oats

    1/2 t. baking soda

    2 t. baking powder

    Blend at high speed for 3-5 minutes, until smooth.  Then add

    baking powder and soda and blend in briefly.

    Pour batter onto hot, greased griddle and cook until bubbles on unbaked side

    begin to break; turn once and cook on second side until done.

  • Whole Grain Crackers… Garlic too!

    I had a bit of a personal challenge this morning.  I said to myself, “If I can make pretty darn tasty bread, then I should be able to make crackers!” So here is my morning journey…

    I started with this Wheat Cracker recipe from www.AllRecipes.com and made my changes:

    Plain Whole Grain Crackers:

    1 3/4 C  7 Grain freshly milled

    1 1/2 C unbleached white flour

    3/4 tsp Real Salt (Coming soon to Urban Homemaker)

    1 C Water

    1/3 C Olive Oil

    Sea Salt for topping

    Into the Bosch outfitted with Cookie Paddles and then the setting to 1 as I poured the liquids into the dry ingredients. By the time I set my measuring cup down the ingredients were mixed. Roll this amount of dough onto parchment for 3-4 cookie sheets. 2 cookie sheets worth will give you a thicker, softer- less crispy cracker. 3-4 sheets will be the thinness required for the cracker to be cheese spread worthy! Both thicknesses were incredible in taste and are currently being devoured!

    Helpful Note: Roll dough onto parchment paper. Makes transferring to a sheet and prepping for the next round~ easy! I used 2 types of rollers a Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller and I used a standard 13″ rolling pin.

    Once rolled out I scored the dough with a pizza cutter, knife, or whatever tool you want. Each cracker was stabbed with a fork.

    Into the oven 350 degrees for 18-20 min until browned. Watch it! Depending on your type of oven, convection or not, and how the temp is~ just watch so it doesn’t burn.

     

     

    The end result was beautiful. This is the plain variation with a thicker roll out. I spread the dough on 2 sheets and got a breadier, yet slightly crispy cracker. It is delightful and the salt on top is perfect!

    Step 2.. Make a second batch and this time load it with 1- 1 1/2 T of garlic granules or powder and parmesan cheese (1/2C). I used Organic Garlic Granules from www.StrawHatFarms.com . They grow and process several varieties of garlic on the certified organic farm right in Montrose, CO. Chet and Karen Byler are friends of ours and I love their garlic! I bought the glass containers of garlic powder and granules and then refill in bulk. Please see their website for shipping details.

    ** Note: if adding extras like a parmesan cheese add about 1T water more to keep the dough moist.

    Here is the second batch: Garlic, Parmesan Cheese 7 Grain Crackers. They were rolled thinner than my plain batch and covered 3 cookie sheets. There is a crisp and they are completely addicting when eaten with a cheese spread. I took this photo of them cooling so you can see how much in in 1 recipe when using 3 sheets. This was comparable to emptying 2 boxes of store bought crackers.

    There you have it.. My personal cracker challenge and thumbs up across the board of family members.  I love that I know what went into our crackers and that nothing unpronounceable was in my ingredient list.

    Till the Next Challenge, Kathy

  • Flaking with “The Bosch”

    I am a FLAKER! and proud of it…

    Yes, even the Urban Homemaker buys already flaked oats and 7/9-grains.. Until tonight, that is! One of my New Year’s goals was to “flake” or “roll” or to simply “flatten the heck out of a whole grain!”  So tonight, as I prepared a granola recipe out of Breakfasts for Busy Moms, I considered taking a hammer to each piece of grain, but then realized there is an easier way…  So out came the Flaker for the Bosch and I flaked my 9 grain whole grain for the recipe! I am so impressed with myself  and the Bosch Universal as it handled itself perfectly on it’s side and flaked it’s heart out to give our family optimal nutrition and excitement for a Sunday night.

    The Bosch is tipped to it’s side with resting pads built onto the unit. The Flaker attachment connects and a lever is flipped as a locking mechanism. When I flaked, I put the Bosch on a “1” setting. Just pour the grain in. The directions do not indicate that the unit be on to flake, but out of habit with the Wondermill I followed that routine.

    Few minutes later I had actually “FLAKED!” I ended up flaking 14 C of rolled 9 grain and steel cut oats into flat little flakes. Granola went into the oven, and rolled steel cut oats and about a cup of 9-grain whole grain was set aside for breakfast tomorrow. Please note: I “flaked” steel cut oats because that is what I had. This flaker does not “steel cut” them- it just “rolled” them into flakes. The oats after flaking resembled a beautiful Amish Oatmeal. For us, I added flaked 9 grain to add variety to our hot cereal. It all looks GOOD!

    This is the end result. This is steel cut oats & a scant cup of 9-grain.

    BEAUTIFUL

    Flaked Oats, flaked whole grains can be utiltized in a variety of ways in all the ways you would think to use “oatmeal.” Hot cereals:just adjust water/liquid as necessary. Rolled oats to water is 1:2-3, 9-grain is 1:4, Barley 1:3, etc.

    Also- this is just one way to “flake.” I intend to try other tools of the trade, but maybe if you flake with one of them, you could note your experience on our website in the review section on the specific part? Here is a link to the page with a few on them. The Flaker attachment for the Bosch is in the Bosch catagory under the main unit where all the attachments are!

    Here’s to being a Flaker! Happy Flaking- Kathy, a Happy Urban Homemaker

  • Brie Cheese Crowning Glory

    We needed to celebrate! Not sure why, but the Brie Cheese Crowning Glory is reason enough…. and it is GOOOD!

    This little yummy is especially fun around a holiday. I serve it as an accompaniment to a brunch, later afternoon snack and of course, if there are any guests this is a delight to serve. Certainly it can also be served when you need a little celebrating for no apparent reason.

    Brie Cheese Crowning Glory

    1 Brie Cheese Round- peel rind off

    1 C dried apples cut into small pieces

    1/4 C dried cranberries

    1/4 C chopped pecans or almonds

    1/3-1/2C Caramel dip

    Crackers

    Mix all ingredients with the exception of the brie & crackers. Mound on top of the brie. Serve with crackers and little cutting knives.

    Enjoy~ Kathy