Brunch

Cherry Pumpkin Bread

December 23, 2012

Cherry Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread is so moist and the dried cherries really add a little zip to the bread.  It’s easy to make and holds up well.  Sometimes if I have leftover I make it into French toast. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Pumpkin Puree

1/2 Cup Grapeseed Oil

3 Eggs

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1 Cup Dried Cherries

1/4 Cup Water

Preheat your oven to 350º F.  In a large size bowl combine the sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, grapeseed oil and eggs.  Beat until well blended.  In a separate large size bowl combine the unbleached flour, kosher salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture.  Fold In dried cherries.Spoon the pumkin batter into a 9x5x3 parchment paper lined loaf pan. Place into the oven for 70 minutes or until done.  The bread should be golden brown.  Remember that all ovens are different so it may take a bit longer or a bit shorter time for the bread to be done.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.  Remove the bread from the pan by pulling the sides of the parchment paper.  Set on a wire rack and cool completely.  Makes 1 delicious Cherry Pumpkin Bread! YUM YUM!! 

Classic Hanukkah Sufganiyot

December 8, 2012

Classic Hanukkah Sufganiyot

Sufganiyot is a popular Hanukkah food in the U.S. and  Israel and means “jelly doughnut."  They are believed to have first come from Spain and are similar to the sopaipilla.  Many say, however, that the sopaipilla was actually borrowed from the Jews. Sufganiyot are widely eaten in the U.S., Israel and around the world in the weeks leading up to and including the Hanukkah holiday which commemorates the miracle of the Temple oil that lasted for eight days instead of one.  Enjoy Hanukkah and eat your Sufganiyot!

INGREDIENTS

1 Package Active Dry Yeast

1/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Lukewarm Milk

2 Large Eggs Separated

2 1/2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

6 Tablespoons Softened Butter

1 Cup Seedless Red Raspberry Jam

4 Cups Canola Oil For Frying

Powdered Sugar For Dusting

In a large size bowl mix together the yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar and the milk.  Let stand for 5 minutes for the mixture to foam.  In a separate large size bowl sift the flour and add the remaining sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, egg yolks, softened butter and the yeast mixture.  Combine and then knead the dough into a ball.  Place the ball into a large size bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm place for 2 hours.  You will want the dough to double in size and the temperature should be around 80º F.  With floured hands, punch down the dough.  Turn the dough onto a floured surface and let sit for 10 minutes.  Roll out the dough into 24 rounds using either a biscuit cutter or glass.  Place 1/2 teaspoon of the jam in the center of 12 of the rounds.  Place the tops onto each of the round and press the edges and seal with the egg whites.  Let them sit for 30 minutes so that they can rise.  Heat the canola oil so that it is about 375º F.  Carefully drop a few of the doughnuts at a time into the hot oil and turn to make sure that both sides are browned.  Remove from the hot oil and place on paper towels to soak up excess oil.  When ready to serve dust the tops with powdered sugar.  Makes 12 sufganiyot.

 

**If you are serving these with a milk meal then use butter and milk.  If you are with a meat meal then use water and pareve margarine. 

 

Traditional Potato Latkes

December 7, 2012

Traditional Potato Latkes

I used to eat these as a kid and oh how I loved them! Fried Potato Pancakes, called Latkes in Yiddish and Levivot in Hebrew, are the most popular Hanukkah food. Fried food is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah in commemoration of the oil that miraculously burned for eight days when the Maccabees purified and rededicated the holy Temple of Jerusalem. Latkes are a holiday favorite and today one can find many creative twists to the traditional latkes recipe. They include cauliflower, sweet potato, broccoli, guacamole, cheese and even tuna latkes.

INGREDIENTS

5 Potatoes

2 Onions

3 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

1/2 Cup Unbleached Flour

Canola Oil For Frying

Fill a large bowl with cold water so the potatoes won’t turn brown in color. Peel the potatoes and place in the cold water. When you are ready to make the latkas drain the potatoes. Place the potatoes and onions in a food processor fitted with the knife blade and pulse until smooth. Drain the mixture well. Pour the potato mixture into a large bowl. Add the beaten eggs, salt, pepper and enough flour so that the mixture holds together. Pour 1 inch of the oil into a large, deep frying pan. Heat the oil over a medium high heat. Carefully drop 1/4 cup of the potato mixture into the hot oil and flatten the pancake slightly so the center will cook. Fry for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Serve with applesauce. Makes 20 pancakes.

Carrot Oat Muffins

November 28, 2012

Carrot Oat Muffins

I love to eat muffins in the morning.  Here is a healthy muffin that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

12 Ounces Carrot Juice

2 Egg Whites

1 3/4 Cups Olive Oil

1 Cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

1 Cup Raisins

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Preheat your oven to 400° F.  Line 18 muffin cups with liners.  In a small size bowl whisk together the carrot juice, eggs and olive oil.  In a separate medium size bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, raisins, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add the carrot juice to the flour mixture.  Stir until well combined.  Spoon the batter 3/4 up to the top of the muffin liner.  Bake for 18 minutes until done.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm.  Makes 18 muffins. 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

November 24, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

What to do with all of that leftover pumpkin pie.  Make a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie of course!

INGREDIENTS

8 Ounces Greek Yogurt

1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Sugar

1/4 Cup Milk

4 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie (Crust & All)

In a blender or food processor combine the Greek Yogurt, Cinnamon, Sugar and Milk.  Pulse for 15 seconds.  Add the 4 tablespoons of pumpkin pie.  Pulse for 30 seconds.  Pour into a tall glass.  Makes 1 serving.

Pumpkin Muffins

November 20, 2012

Pumpkin Muffins

Most of us try and eat light on Thanksgiving morning as we wait for our big feast. My Pumpkin Muffins are perfect for Thanksgiving morning or any morning for that matter.  They are light, hit the spot and go great with a cup of coffee.  They will keep “the wolf away” until that Thanksgiving dinner bell is rung. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 Large Eggs

1 Cup Pumpkin Puree

1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

4 Tablespoons Molasses

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Preheat your oven to 375° F.  Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.  In a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  In a large size bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, yogurt, brown sugar, molasses and olive oil.  Stir the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture just until combined.  Spoon the batter into muffin cups.  Fill each until almost full.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes and serve warm with butter and honey.  Makes 12 muffins.

Sunday Morning Cake Doughnuts

November 11, 2012

Sunday Morning Cake Donuts

Cake doughnuts don’t take nearly as much time as raised doughnuts.  If you want a two bite treat just remove the doughnut holes from the cutter and fry them up for tasty little snacks. 

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups Unbleached Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 Eggs

1 1/4 Cups Sugar

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

2/3 Cup Milk

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

Vegetable Oil For Frying

Powdered Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Chocolate Glaze Or Powdered Sugar Icing

In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.  In a large size bowl combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla.  Beat for 4 minutes until thick.  In a small size bowl combine the milk and melted butter.  Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately to the egg mixture.  Beat after each addition just until combined so make sure not to overbeat.  Cover and put in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours.  On a floured surface roll the dough to a 1/2 inch thickness.  Make sure not to stir in the additional flour.  Cut the dough with a floured 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter.  Reroll the dough as needed.  Fry 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time in a deep hot oil for 3 minutes or until the doughnuts are golden born.  Turn once.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain the doughnuts on paper towels.  Repeat until you have fried all of the doughnuts.  Cool the doughnuts slightly and coat with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, chocolate glaze or powdered sugar icing.  Or you can leave them plain if you want to.  Do the same with the doughnut holes.  Makes about 16 doughnuts and holes. 

Pumpkin Bread French Toast

October 28, 2012

Pumpkin Bread French Toast

After you’ve made my delicious pumpkin bread and if you have any to spare turn it into French toast.  I’ve made it twice this weekend and trust me it’s a fall weekend morning treat. 

INGREDIENTS

4 Pieces Pumpkin Bread

4 Eggs

1/4 Cup Half & Half

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

2 Teaspoons Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Butter

Maple Syrup

In a large size heavy skillet heat 1/2 cup butter over a medium low heat.  In a medium size shallow bowl mix together the eggs, half & half, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla.  You will want the bowl to be shallow enough to fit all of the bread.  Soak the slices of bread for about 2 minutes per piece.  The butter should be hot, but not smoking.  Place all four pieces into the skillet and turn the heat up to a medium heat.  Cook for 5 minutes per side or until golden brown.  Be careful not to brown too quickly as you want the inside to have time to cook. Remove from the skillet and transfer to a serving plate or individual plates.  Serve with a pat of cold butter and warmed maple syrup.  Serves 2

Pumpkin Bread

October 7, 2012

Pumpkin Bread

Fall is pumpkin time and baking it into bread is a great way to cook with it.  My pumpkin bread is moist and delicious.  Feel free to leave out the raisins or walnuts if you want. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Canned Pumpkin

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

3 Eggs

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1/4 Cup Milk

1 Cup Raisins (Optional)

1 Cup Chopped Walnuts (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans.  In a large size mixing bowl combine the sugars, oil and eggs.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in the pumpkin, milk, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.  In a medium size bowl combine the flour, salt and baking soda.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.  Stir in the raisins and nuts.  Pour into the greased loaf pans and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  When done remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Remove from the pans by turn the pans over.  Slice when completely cool.  Makes 2 loaves. 

 

Homemade Biscuit Mix

October 4, 2012

Homemade Biscuit Mix

There is no need to buy premade store bought biscuit mix.  Save money and make your own.  Besides you’ll be able to pronounce all of the ingredients!

INGREDIENTS

10 Cups Unbleached Flour

1/3 Cup Baking Powder

1/4 Cup Sugar

4 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

2 Cups Shortening – I Like Using Olive Oil

In a large size mixing bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.  With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Store in a covered airtight container for up to 6 weeks at room temperature or you can keep it in the fridge.  Makes 12 1/2cups.

Pancakes

To make pancakes from your homemade biscuit mix: 2 cups mix, 2 beaten eggs and 1 cup milk.  Makes 10 pancakes.

Biscuits

To make biscuits from your homemade biscuit mix: Preheat oven to 450° F.  2 cups mix, 1/2 cup milk.  Stir slightly on a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough 12 strokes.  Roll to 1/2 inches thick.  Cut dough with a biscuit cutter.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Makes 10 biscuits.

Muffins

To make muffins from you homemade biscuit mix: Preheat oven to 400° F.  3 cups mix, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 beaten egg and 1 cup milk.  Stir just to moist.  Fill greased muffin pans.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  Makes 12 muffins.

 

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