Since cabbage is a deal right now, and because we like sauerkraut and I have heard it is quite simple to make, I have decided to try my hand at it. (See update below) I looked on YouTube to find some how to’s. I thought the first one below was very helpful, but found the bottom one to be more entertaining. Let me know which you like best. I will let you know how the sauerkraut turns out!

Update: I did try making the kraut. After sitting on our counter for some time, it began to show signs of molding. I would like to try it again, but need a better system that can keep out the air.

Tags: Food, kitchen cares, recipes

I wanted to share the recipe for the croissants that one of my daughters made for us yesterday. Aren’t they beautiful? They tasted even better than they look! The only problem with them is that there weren’t enough!

How to make croissants:

Step 1
1 1/3 cups cold butter
3 cups all-purpose flour

Cut butter into 1/2-inch slices. Mix with 3 cups flour in a bowl and chill while preparing Step 2.

Step 2
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package yeast
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, heat milk, sugar and salt in a pan on the stove till warm. Add to yeast-flour mixture along with the egg. Beat with an electric mixer for 30 seconds on low, then on high for 3 minutes.

Step 3
Stir in chilled butter-flour mixture. Flouring hands, knead dough very gently, punching about eight times. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 20 inches by 10 inches). Fold dough into thirds, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours or overnight (or freeze for 30 minutes).

Step 4
Take dough out of refrigerator. Using a floured rolling pin again, roll dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle as described in Step 3. Fold, wrap, and chill dough again, this time for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 5
Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into fourths by cutting the dough. Return three portions to the fridge. On a floured surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough into a circle. Cut like pizza then roll up slices into crescent shapes. When you cut it, you can either make 12 small ones out of the circle, or 8 large ones. Repeat rolling, cutting, and shaping with the other portions of croissant dough. Place on greased baking sheets, points down, curving ends. Cover and let rise till doubled (about 1 hour). Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 15 minutes.

If you get busy after you make the dough, the dough can remain chilled in the fridge for up to a week at any stage!

You can find this recipe, and more, at our family recipe blog. Click here.

Tags: kitchen cares, recipes

I wanted to be sure to let ya’ll know about Living On A Dime’s huge sale going on now.  Get 50% or more off right now. They say 63% off print books!

Besides that, if you are one of the first 250 people to order the 3 print book set, which, by the way, is
priced so low that you get 3 books for the price of one, they will also throw in a free Menus On A Dime booklet! How cool is that?

Click on the cook book to go to their site and check it out for yourself.

Tags: great finds, kitchen cares, recipes

Last week was our baking week for CHRISTmas.  Below are photos of most and recipes:

Aunt Barbara’s Mexican Wedding Cakes. See recipe here.

These are light but taste similar to shortbread

Dipped Pretzel Sticks

These are easy for even the smallest child.

Super easy and super good, creamy fudge. See recipe here.

Anne

Anne

Peanut Butter Cookies With Kisses. See recipe here.

Peanut Butter Cookies With Kisses

We also made:

• Molasses Cookies (See recipe here)
• Peppermint Bark (See recipe here)
• Martha Washington’s Bon Bon’s (See recipe here)

All the cookies laid out for the neighbors

After the plates were wrapped, we drove around town caroling and handing out these lovelies to our dear friends and neighbors. We had a couple neighbors gone, so those will probably be distributed tonight.

Tags: Anne, Emily, Family, Food, hospitality, Jay, kitchen cares, Photos, recipes, winter

A couple weeks ago, we enjoyed hamburgers made with homemade buns. They were fabulous! The recipe used was from the Tightwad Gazette for Cuban Bread.

This a quick yeast bread. It takes half the time than normal yeast breads and it is super easy!

Ingredients
5-6 cups flour
2 T. dry yeast
2 T. sugar
1 T. salt
2 c. hot tap water
1 T. sesame seeds, oats, or poppy seeds (optional)

1. Mix 4 cups of the flour with the yeast, sugar, and salt.
   
2. Pour in hot water and beat 100 strokes, or 3 minutes with a mixer.
   
3. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is no longer sticky.
   
4. Knead 8 minutes.
   
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with damp towel.
   
6. Let rise 15 minutes.
7. Punch down.
   
8. Divide into 2 pieces, shape into loaves and place on baking sheet.
   
9. Cut an X 1/2 inch deep on top with sharp knife.
   
10. Brush with water and sprinkle with oats.
    
11. Place on the middle shelf of a cold oven.
    
12. Place a cake pan of hot water on the lowest shelf.
    
13. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake 40-50 minutes until deep golden brown.

Tags: Food, recipes