Homemade Quick and Easy Bread

Recipe

6.5 c unbleached flour

3 c lukewarm water

1.5Tbsp yeast

1.5Tbsp salt

Pour flour in a large bowl.

In another bowl, mix water, yeast and salt until there are no lumps.

Mix the water mixture into the flour bowl, make sure there are no lumps.

Cover with a towel or napkin and place in a cool, dry place to rise for 2 hours.  After the dough has risen, form 2 balls and sprinkle with flour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with a pizza stone in it.  Place a pan of water, about 1 inch deep, under the pizza stone for moisture.  Slice the top of the dough a couple of times with a knife, sprinkle the pizza stone with corn meal or flour, then place the two balls of dough on it and bake for 30 minutes.

Our Review

We loved this bread because it was so easy and because we love bread.  The second time we make it, we added flax seed in place of some of the flour and that was equally good.  Each time we make this, I plan to alternate different types of flour and adding herbs just to try different things.  We also made one "ball" into a loaf in a bread pan so that it could be sliced for sandwiches easier.

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Pork Chops with Ginger Pear Sauce

Recipe

4 pork chops

salt

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp butter

1/3c minced shallots

2 Tbsp minced ginger (we used fresh)

1 large pear, peeled and diced

1.5c chicken stock

3 Tbsp cider vinegar

2 Tbsp honey

1/4 to 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary (we used dry)

fresh ground pepper

Salt the pork chops and let them sit at room temperature while preparing the other ingredients.  Heat the oil in a pan until shimmering.  Add the pork chops to the pan, without crowding, searing one side for 3-5 minutes and the other side for 2-3 minutes.  Then lower the heat and cook for about 15 minutes until cooked through.  Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the oil from the pan.  Add the butter, shallots, and ginger and toss to combine.  Cook for 1 minute, then add the chopped pear and toss to combine.  Cook for 1 minute and then add the chicken stock, vinegar and honey.  Bring to a rolling boil and continue boiling until the liquid is reduced by 2/3, about 4-6 minutes.  Turn off the heat and add the rosemary and pepper.  Add salt to taste and serve with the pork chops.

Our Review

Yummy!  We loved this one too.   We had issues with the pear mixture not reducing after about 8 minutes and we were hungry so we just ate it.  Still tasted great.  

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Grilled Marinated Salmon

Recipe

1/4c soy sauce

1/4c rice wine vinegar

2 Tbsp white sugar

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground black pepper

2 pounds salmon

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Put salmon in a ziplock bag or a tupperware, pour marinade over and marinate overnight.

Cook over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes.

Our Review

This was amazing.  It may have been the fact that we used a wild fresh Alaskan Salmon that we ordered from a farm or it may have been the marinade itself.  In any case, it was amazing.

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