Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Heather says: File this meal under pretty good comfort food. Mr. Heather filed it under “should make again” but he’s from Minnesota and used to consider “hotdish” its own food group. Relax, I’m just teasing to pick on my in-laws. Everyone say hi to Nan and Gramps. Back to the food, it’s important to remember …

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Bread Making Tutorial: Basic White Bread

girlHeather says:

At long last, the first in the series of simple bread tutorials. We are beginning with a plain white bread recipe. This version is extremely simple. It is free of most allergens (wheat being the obvious exception) so it is useful for those avoiding eggs and dairy. Nutritionally, well, let’s just say that you won’t be making great strides over store-bought, but at least there is no high fructose corn syrup. Warm up the oven, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started.

simple basic white bread

Simple White Bread

Ingredients

2 cups warm water ~110°F
1 1/2 TBSP Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil + extra for bread pan & bowl (vegetable or olive
6 cups bread flour (may be slightly less in dry climates)

Directions after the jump.

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Bread Making: Introduction to Basic Flours

Heather says: The first few bread recipes will be made with flours that should be carried by your local grocery store. All Purpose Flour – is also known as plain flour.  It can be found in bleached and unbleached varieties.  Unbleached flour has more of the wheat’s protein intact and is typically better for bread …

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Win It! Your Very Own Callie Micks Apron

Heather says: It’s contest time! Comment on this post for your chance to win this adorable apron. Please, if you have your own blog write about this contest and linkback so your readers have a chance to enter, too. If you don’t have a blog, just be sure to leave a valid e-mail address. Check …

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Appropriate Funeral Attire: Ask the Audience

Heather says: I will be attending the funeral of a friend on Monday.  Due to being pregnant or nursing for the past five years, I have nothing I can just pull out of the closet.  My church clothes are all light in color (think khaki, camel, and white).   I would highly appreciate any fairly specific …

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How About Some Pillow Talk

Dear Home Ec 101, I have two boys and a husband, and their pillows usually only last a year. I get the heebie-jeebies when I start noticing stains. I think they occasionally drool in their sleep, have sweaty heads, and the preschooler is prone to midnight nose bleeds….ew. (My pillow is pristine, of course.) When …

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In a Bind With a Beater

Dear Home Ec 101, I own a Kitchen Aid Professional 6 Qt. Stand Mixer. It is a nickel color. I accidently placed the burnished aluminum paddle/beater attachment in the dishwasher to wash (it can only be hand washed in warm soapy water). It also went through a rinse of white vinegar. Eeeeek!! When I removed …

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Bread Making: Meet the Yeast

a spoonful of dry yeast above a white bowl of dried yeast sitting on a wooden cutting board

Yeast are tiny one-celled fungi. There are both benevolent and obnoxious strains. One can find yeast commercially for brewing, as a nutritional supplement, and for baking. In bread making, yeast digests sugars and creates carbon dioxide. The structure of the dough traps the gas, giving yeast bread its loft and softness. Too little yeast will …

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Bread Making: Introduction

Heather says: Over the coming weeks I will be posting a series of tutorials on bread making. If you are a novice baker, I invite you to attempt the tutorials in order. While I admire those who would like to begin by tackling 12 grain with sprouted wheat, may I suggest you practice on the …

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