We've had lovely weather all week but this morning we had a real heavy shower of rain and high winds. I was up at 6am, not being able to sleep any longer because of the stupid corellas that sit in our gum trees squawking! They drive us insane! I love this time of morning though, a quiet cuppa, read the paper or a magazine, tidy up, turn on the computer...
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I've decided to give green tea a go. I've had 2 cups so far today, the second one I added a tiny squirt of honey and that was much nicer.
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Tina from A Quiet Home posted a bread tutorial so I thought I would give it a go. I couldn't get 'bread' flour today so I just used plain flour. I got out my trusty new Breville mixer, added the flour, oil and salt...
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I mixed up the warm water, sugar and yeast and let it bubble up...
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The mixer (using the dough hook) did a great job making the dough - I let it go for about 5 minutes before turning the dough out onto my bench. I didn't even use flour, it just came together and wasn't sticky at all. I kneaded it by hand for about 6 minutes before putting it in a floured loaf tin to rise. I had turned my oven on then turned it off and sat the bread, covered, on the open door where it was nice and warm.
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It rose nicely before I put it into a 200C oven for 15 minutes, then turned it and baked a further 15 minutes.
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When I turned it out, I tapped the bottom of the loaf and it felt hollow so it was done.
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I am quite pleased with the texture - I will try it with some proper bread flour soon. Visit Tina's blog, she is a beautiful peaceful Scottish soul.
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Next on the baking agenda were some mini quiches...
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I use bought short crust pastry and for the filling: 6 eggs, 1 cup+ grated cheese, finely diced bacon, capsicum and onion, sweet corn, sprinkle of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder, cracked pepper and pinch of salt. Mix all together then spoon into cases.
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Most of these will go frozen to Kirby for quick lunches and dinners. Nice with a bit of salad.
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I will leave you with last nights sunset - I missed the best bit by about 10 minutes I think. It was nearly dark when I took this.
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Hope you've had a nice weekend, it's been fairly lazy for me but that's how I like it.
Cheers - Joolz
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Hope you've had a nice weekend, it's been fairly lazy for me but that's how I like it.
Cheers - Joolz
yummy!!!! I love making bread early in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI've been drinking green tea for about 15 years now and don't really drink anything else. It can take some time to get used to, my tip, don't leave the bag in too long or it goes bitter.
Oh geesh Joolz, I haven't made bread in years! But to be honest I was a lazy bread maker, my children bought me a bread maker for Christmas many many years ago and I used it soooo much! I could put the fixings into the bread maker and set the timer and in the morning the whole house would smell of yummy bread! My hubby would wake up so happy and with some hot buttered bread to eat on his way to his work! I miss my bread maker....I don't know if I could make bread the good ole fashioned way...I still want to be your neighbor and come visit...you always have such yummy treats and a cup of tea..and your delicious snaks....yes...I would be your best neighbor! Well maybe a pesty one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Sue. Yes, I worked that out with my first cuppa, left it in just too long and it was bitter, so I know now.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Joolz
Sounds like a nice day. That bread and those quiches look amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect day for baking. I'm not looking forward to winter though. Beautiful rainbow earlier this evening.
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks beautiful. I am meaning to get a loaf in the breadmaker a little later. And the single serving quiches are a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHot baked bread...yum! But those Quiches...They just look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe bread turned out great...yum! Those quiches are so easy and what a good idea to put them in the freezer.
ReplyDeleteThat bread does look good Joolz. I have saved that recipe too to give a try, it sounded pretty straight forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the mini quiche recipe, might make some up for my lot tomorrow :)
Pretty sunset there, I think ours was a bit special too but I had visitors so I missed it...everything was very pink though :)
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