Bread Heaven

I finally figured out it was the stupid rectangle box pan holding back my true art... I let this bread rise and then made two long ropes and swirled them... to get the golden outside crunchy crust with a warm soft center just use a spray bottle and spray water in the hot oven while the bread is baking...



ingredients:
2 pkgs yeast
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp salt
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water, add sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and oil. Mix in three cups flour. Continue adding flour til soft dough forms.

Knead dough out on wheat flour surface. Place on well greased baking pan, cover with a cloth, and let dough rest 2 hours or until doubled. Knead dough out on wheat flour again and half dough. (this is when i freeze one half)

Make two long ropes with dough then twist up into a loaf back on pan. Cover with cloth and let rise 2 hours longer.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes. YUM!

Pumpkin Butter

I wanted to post this all day, but I waited until the kids and I could officially sample the final product...mmmm, so tasty, so here it goes. I got the recipe from a lady named Heidi Calder who did a little cookbook on just pumpkin recipes, and since we had a ton (I'm not kidding) of pumpkins, I am just eatn' it up...literally.


4 cups pumpkin pulp (or 2-16oz cans pumpkin)
1 package fruit pectin (1 3/4 oz size)
1 T pumpkin pie spice
4 1/2 cups sugar (please forgive me)

Combine pumpkin, pectin and spice in a dutch oven or large sauce pan. Cook and stir on HIGH until very hot. The mixture will be too thick to actually boil. (ok, mine did)


Stir in sugar. Continue stirring until mixture boils over most of the surface. Boil 1 minuter longer, stirring constantly.
Ladle into hot clean jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rims thoroughly, adjust lids and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.


It should make about 4 pints. I doubled it and got 8.



Whenever I can things like this it always inspires me to clean my kitchen...so it all matches, clean and sparkly.