recipes

Bagels- From Erin Crawford

3 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp canola oil
4-5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
sesame, poppy or caraway seed to sprinkle on top (optional)

1) In a large bowl, stir yeast and brown sugar into 1 1/2 cups luke warm water; let it stand for 5 minutes until it gets foamy. If it doesn't, you need new yeast!
2) Stir the oil and 1 cup flour into the yeast mixture, then add the salt and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough (approx. 2 1/2 cups) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, gently incorporating more flour, until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should take about 10 minutes. Cover with a tea towel and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
3) Divide the dough into 10 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and then shape into a circle, pinching the ends together to form bagels. Let them rise for about 20 minutes while you boil a big pot (about 6L) of salted water and preheat oven to 450 F.
4) When the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and gently place a few bagels at a time into the water. Simmer for one minute, then flip them over and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to drain. Once they have all been boiled, place them on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray (I used butter instead, yum!) and sprinkle with sesame seeds or whatever topping you like. (I sprinkled a tiny bit of salt on the tops of a few of the bagels and it was awesome!)
5) Place in oven, reduce heat to 425 F and bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

Makes 10 bagels.


Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
Add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 - 1 cup raisins along with the second batch of flour. Mix and bake as directed.

Onion & Garlic Bagels
Saute 1 minced onion and a few cloves of crushed garlic in 1 tsp oil until tender and golden. Cool and stir into the dough along with the second batch of flour. mix and bake as directed.

Cheese Bagels
Add 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 cup grated old cheddar or 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese along with the second batch of flour. Sprinkle the tops with a little extra grated cheese if you like.


Granola Bars- From Cara Moore

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup all purpose flour (I use whole wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup softened butter
1/2 cup honey (You'll probably need more to make them stick together)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Choc chips, cranberries, raisons, almonds, seeds......

Mix all together in mix master (that's the easiest anyway), press into cookie sheet, bake for about 18 min at 325. Let cool and cut into bars. I score the bars while warm.

No packaging or excess sugar, etc...
 Home made yogurt

 I have put 2 L of homo milk in my crock pot for 2.5 hours on low. Then unplug and leave for 3 more hours, with lid on. Then mix in 1/2 C regular plain yogurt- some suggest adding honey and vanilla at this point too. Wrap entire crock pot in towels and leave overnight (some people suggest putting the entire thing in your oven overnight). Then in the morning you should have yogurt! We will see. Other sites I looked at before I stepped into this venture were www.passionatehomemaking.com , and www.nourishingdays.com.


I also made my own coffee creamer today. I thought I would give it a try anyways- just mixed in a jar, a can of sweetened condensed milk (on sale for $2.50) with 1.5 C of milk and some vanilla. And shake till everything is mixed. I have also used hazelnut extract. YUMMY!