Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are a traditional good Friday and Easter bread. This sweet yeast bread is typically made with currants or raisins. We however love chocolate much more in our house. The bread has the symbol of the cross which can be cut in to the dough, made with glaze, or both.



Dough
5 Cup Flour

1/3 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Milk

4 Eggs

1 1/3 Chocolate Chips

1 Egg White

Glaze

1 1/3 Cup Confectioner's Sugar

1 1/2 Lemon Zest

1/2 tsp Lemon Extract

1-2 Tbsp Milk

In a medium bow melt the butter and then add the sugar, Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

Warm milk but not to a boil and add to butter mixture. Once sugar is dissolved add eggs.

Once eggs are well incorporated add flour two cups at a time. This can be done in a Stand mixer

with dough hook or by hand Kneading the dough once enough flour has been added.Dough will be wet and

sticky continue kneading for about 5 minutes. Place ball in bowl and cover to rest for 15 minuets.

Knead again until smooth and elastic for about 3 more minuets. Add chocolate chips and knead till well incorporated.

Shape dough in to a ball, place in to a buttered dish, cover with plastic warp and let rise overnight. Any extra moisture will be absorbed by morning.

Let dough set at room temperature for about half-hour. butter baking pan(s) or line with parchement paper. Dived dough in to 24 equal pieces. Shape each in to a ball and place on a baking sheet about 1/2 inch apart. A muffin pan can also be used. Cover with clean kitchen towl and let rise in a warm, draft free place until dought had doubled in size. This will talk about 1 1/2 hours.

Pre-Heat while waiting to 400 degrees

when dought has riasin, take sharp or serrated knight and slash bune to creat a cross.Brush with egg whites and placce in oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350 degrees. Bake until golden brown about 10-15 more minuets. transfer to cooling rack.

Wisk together glaze ingeadients and spoon over buns to make a cross or spoon glaze in to ziplock bag and cut the corrner for more control over the glaze.



Best when servered warm.



Superstitions

English folklore includes many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. One of them says that buns baked and served on Good Friday will not spoil or become mouldy during the subsequent year. Another encourages keeping such a bun for medicinal purposes. A piece of it given to someone who is ill is said to help them recover.

Sharing a hot cross bun with another is supposed to ensure friendship throughout the coming year, particularly if "Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be" is said at the time. Because of the cross on the buns, some say they should be kissed before being eaten. If taken on a sea voyage, hot cross buns are said to protect against shipwreck. If hung in the kitchen, they are said to protect against fires and ensure that all breads turn out perfectly. The hanging bun is replaced each year ("Hot Cross Buns". Practically Edible: The Web's Biggest Food Encyclopedia. Practically Edible. http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/hotcrossbuns. Retrieved 9 March 2009.)

Grown Up Grilled Cheese

One of my best friends came to visit me and we ate a lovly resturant named The Raven Grill. We all ordered the same grilled cheese that is now called the grown-up grilled cheese at our house.

2 Slices of sourdough bread
2-4 table spoons of Pesto
3 slices of freash mozzarella
1/2 of a Roma tomato
1 table spoon of butter or olive oil

Spread both slices of bread with pesto. If your new to pesto go light. If you know you love it already go to town like I do. It can be kind of strong so use as you see fit. Top with sliced mozzarella and tomatos. I spray the outside of the bread with olive oil , however butter works just as well.
Place in to a cool pan and bring it up to med heat. I find starting in a cold pan help give the cheese more time to melt. Flip when brown and server after both sides have brown. This is a great meal by its help, with a salad, frys and artichokes.

Grilled steak with Horseradish Sauce and Sweet Potato

Dinner was fantastic so I must share.

Grilled steak with Horseradish Sauce

- 2 lbs. extra lean steak
- 1 TB olive oil
- 1tsp dried rosemary crushed
- 1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt
- Sauteed baby bella mushrooms

Horseradish Sause

- 1/4C mayo
- 1TB horseradish
- 1tb. chopped or dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Cheese Sweet potato sticks ( for two people)

- 1 Lg sweet potato
- 1tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 - 1 tsp cayenne Pepper powder
- 1/4C butter or olive oil
- 1/4C Parmesan Cheese

Pre Heat oven to 450 degrees
Cut potatos in to frys do not peal place in bowl.
coat frys in oil saving tiny bit for pan. toss with
garlic and cayenne place on baking pan lined with tin
foil and oiled in a single layer. cook each side about
10-15 mins. when browned remove and coat with cheese.

Cheap Chili

This is the chili mom always made. She got it from her mom and while neither of them ever thought of it as good diet food I am so glad to have it. This low carb low GI Meal is so yummy and really easy to make.

- 1lb low fat hamburger or ground turkey ( skip meat if wanting Veg Style)

- 1 can 12oz Diced Tomato's with green chili's

- 2 cans of Ranch Style Beans - Onion, reg and Jalapeno all work pick what makes you happy

- 1 can Kidney beans ( mom always skipped this part but I love em )

- 2-3 TBS of Ketchup and Mustard

- 2 TBS of a Louisiana Sauce (we use schlotzsky's sauce)

Cook meat and tomato's. Add Beans and sauces to cooked meat. Simmer till all is hot. Serve with cheese on top and crackers if desired. Warning The left over may be better then first serving, chili is just wired that way.

Mexican Soup

Some folks call it Taco Soup.  We just call it too danged good!  Quick, easy, cheap and tasty - four of my favorite things.  As always, alterations for personal tastes are not only allowed, but expected!  This is the basic recipe.

1 lb. hamburger (or turkey - which is what we use)
1 lb.  sausage
2 cans chili beans (do not drain)
2 cans yellow hominy (do not drain)
2 cans corn (drain)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 can chopped green chilis (I use 2, but I like green chilis!)
1 onion, diced
2 small cans chopped black olives
2 packages dry taco seasoning
1 package dry ranch dressing
3 cups of water
Brown, crumble and drain the hamburger and sausage.  Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and cook 30-45 minutes.  Top bowls with shredded cheese, tortillas, etc.