Cauliflower Bread 2 - with yeast!

A tastier and fluffier version of the older gobi bread (with baking powder) recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all pupose flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp active yeast
• 1 cup chopped or pureed cauliflower
• 1 clove garlic mashed or pureed.
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2 tsp oil

Directions:

1. Puree the cauliflower and garlic with some water.
2. In a large bowl, warm the puree and milk and add yeast to it.
3. In another bowl mix  the salt, pepper and spices into the all purpose flour.
4. Add the flour to the yeast mixture and mix well.
5. Continue adding wheat flour to make a soft sticky dough.
6. Place dough in a well oiled container and cover the container with plastic wrap.
7. Place container in a warm place till dough doubles in size(1 hour).
8. Knead dough again with some flour if needed to help reduce the stickiness.
9. Place the kneaded dough in a well oiled bread pan.
10. Place bread pan in warm oven for another 30 minutes,
11. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes.
12. Cool on rack before slicing.
13. Enjoy with cream cheese, spinach dip, or as a subsitute for rotis with dinner!

Lessons Learnt!

Some important lessons i learnt by trying out the same things again and again and which i sometimes forget to mention in the recipes.

• Whole wheat flour is the stone ground whole grain flour i got from safeway. The chapatti/roti flour is not all whole wheat and also has some content of farina which usually increases the hardness of the crust or the bread or cake.
  
• For first try of any recipe, use all purpose flour.
• For softer crusts, use milk instead of water for the yeast mixture.
• The dough after rising is usually very sticky to handle. Use a well floured surface and well oiled hands to knead the dough.
• If the crusts keep coming out hard inspite of the above tips, then you might be overbaking. Each oven is different and the baking times vary. I used to check every 5 minutes after the first 20 minuted of baking to be sure of the timing.
• I usually bake all breads and cakes on the lower shelf of the oven and all pizzas on the upper shelf.
• I use wax paper for breads/cakes/muffins/cookies and Parchment paper for pizza for lining. 

Will add more tips after some more thought.

Cupcakes!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 box white cake mix (yields 12 cupcakes)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• blueberries, raisins, strawberries, chocolate chips etc

Directions:

1. Follow the directions on the white cake mix box and make the cake batter.
2. Separate batter into  2 or 3 portions depending on how many different types you want to make. I made blueberry cupcakes and dried strawberry-cranberry cupcakes.
3. Smash some of the blueberries and add some flour( 1 tsp) to them. Mix well and add the mixture to the cake batter and fold them in.
4. Pour the batter into muffin pan.
5. Soak dried strawberry-cranberry in water or apple juice for an hour.
6. Mix the soaked berries in the batter and pour batter into the muffin pan.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or till toothpick test passes.
8. Add favorite frosting on the cupcakes and enjoy! ( i dont like frosting/icing:)

Quick Pizza base!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Mix the flours, salt, baking powder, pepper and oregano in a bowl. You can use sieve to achieve better results.
2. Add oil and water and knead into a not too soft dough.
3. Roll it out to a 1/4 inch thickness. ( thin crust pizza)
4. Load it with the sauce and  toppings and cheese.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.

NOTES:

• Baking powder will not make the crust very soft esp coz of the wheat flour in it. For best pizza base, use yeast.
• First try, use only all purpose flour.
• Whole wheat flour is the stone ground whole grain flour i got from safeway. The chapatti/roti flour is not whole wheat and also has some content of farina which usually increases the hardness of the crust.

Thanks to Deepa for trying it out and giving me the feedback!!

Wheat crackers!

I was tired of all sweet/bland baked recipes, so decided to make some salty crackers today!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup oil 
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tsp garlic paste or flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp ajwain/carom seeds (optional)
• 1/2 cup water or as needed

Directions:

1. Mix the salt and spices in the flour.
2. Add oil, water and garlic paste to the flour and knead well into a not too soft/not too hard dough.
3. Using parchment paper on top and bottom or using flour, roll the dough into  1/8th inch thick rectangle or any shape:)
4. Place the dough on a baking sheet and make squares using a knife. do not cut through completely.
5. Using a fork, make holes in the dough. 
6. Sprinkle some additional salt on top.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until brown and crisp!
8. Enjoy with salsa, garlic dip, cucumber salad, tomato/ranch dip etc etc etc

Apple Oat Wheat Bread!

top:

bottom:

slice:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour (or more)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp active yeast
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup peeled, finely chopped apples
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg

Directions

1. Cook oats in hot water 1/2 or 1 cup for 10 minutes.
2. Let them cool to a warm temperature.
3. Add in the yeast and honey and mix well.
4. Let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Add in the milk, salt, cinnamon,nutmeg  and all pupose flour and mix well.
6. Add in the wheat flour 1/2 cup at a time to knead into a soft dough.
7. Place dough in a well oiled and lightly covered container in a warm place for about an hour. I usually keep it in a warmed oven.
8. Once doubled, knead the dough a little. 
9. Add the apples, little at a time and continue kneading. Use flour if needed.
10. Place the dough in a greased bread pan and let rise for half an hour.
11. Place a container of boiling water under the pan in the oven when rising.
12. Move the bread pan to the lower shelf of the oven before baking. I also place a baking tray under the pan to reduce direct heat at the bottom. Remove the pan of water before baking.
13. Bake the bread at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
14. The bread will be golden brown when done and the crust will look hard (but will actually be very soft and bouncy to touch)and of course you can always tell by the aroma!
15. Cool completely on rack before slicing.

This bread comes out very moist and not too sweet. You can brush melted butter on top. I decided to not use butter at all this time to see how things work out. And they did fine! A very healthy breakfast!!

Maple Oat Wheat Bread!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup water for cooking oats
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp butter
• 2 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Cook the oats in water until tender. 
2. In a large pan, add the cooked oats and milk and wait till the hot mixture is just about warm for the yeast. 
3. Add in the yeast and maple syrup  and mix well.
4. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
5. Add 1 cup all purpose flour and mix well.
6. Add in the salt and mix well.
7. Keep adding wheat flour 1/2 cup at a time to form a soft dough.
8. Place dough in well oiled container, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for about an hour.
9. Punch the dough down and knead well using little flour.
10. Place dough in bread pan in the oven and let rise for half an hour or until doubled.
11. Place a containier of hot water under the pan during the half hour.
12. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
13. Cool on rack for 10 minutes. 
14. Brush melted butter on top(optional)
15. Slice when completely cool.
16. This bread comes out very soft and with a mild sweet taste which goes well with any breakfast or tea. And  is very healthy with the oats, maple and whole wheat!

Focaccia Bread!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp active yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary leaves dry or fresh
• 1/2 tsp garlic paste
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 tsp grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Warm 1/2 cup of water to about 110 degrees.
2. Add sugar and yeast to it. Mix well and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Add 1 cup all purpose flour, salt, garlic paste, oregano, rosemary leaves, pepper and mix well.
4. Add the rest of the flour in 1/2 cup batches to make a soft dough.
5. Place dough in a well oiled container in a warm place and let rise for an hour.
6. Knead the dough well and pat it down to make an inch thick rectangle.
7. Place the dough on a baking sheet.
8. Brush the olive oil on the dough.
9. Using the back end of a wooden spoon, make dimples in the dough.
   
10. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese.
11. Place the baking sheet in the oven on center rack.
12. place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack.
13. Let dough rise for another half an hour or until doubled.
14. Remove water pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes or till the top starts to get golden.
15. Remove the bread and cool it on wire rack.
16. Enjoy with olive oil or use to make panini sandwiches!.
    

My beautiful swirly cinnamon bread!

I just had to brag!:) Look at them swirls!

I tried the cinnamon swirl bread again and here it is

Recipe here http://hobbyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/01/cinnamon-swirl-in-honey-wheat-bread.html