English Muffin Bread

From One Good Thing by Jillee (http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/moms-english-muffin-bread.html)

5 1/2 cups warm water
3 packages RAPID RISE yeast
     (You can use regular yeast, but you will need to let is rise TWICE. Once in the bowl, til it reaches the top…and then again in the pans, til it reaches the top. With the RAPID RISE you only need to let it rise once in the pans.)
2 Tablespoons salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
11 cups bread flour (you can use All-Purpose if you want)

Mix altogether, then spoon into (4) well greased loaf pans.  Let rise in pans until dough reaches the top of the pans, and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown. 10 minutes before done, brush with melted butter. Makes 4 loaves. Bread will be moist at first. Allow to COOL COMPLETELY before cutting. Makes terrific toast.

Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Brownies

•1 box of Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Brownie mix
•1/2 cup to 1/2 cup and 1TBS canned pumpkin (instead of oil)
•2 eggs
•water as directed
•semi sweet and white chocolate chips (about 1/3 cup all together)
•2 tsp vanilla extract
•1/2 tsp almond extract
•chopped pecans (optional)
•pumpkin pie spices (1-2 tsp)
•1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)

Preheat oven as directed on package. Mix ingredients as directed on package, substituting the pumpkin instead of oil. Add chocolate chips toward the end (nuts, too, if you like). Add some pumpkin pie spice and mix. Put in greased pan (I recommend 13x9 in.). Sprinkle some more pumpkin pie spice (and sea salt if you like) to top of batter in pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until firm and toothpick comes out clean. (It took 50 minutes to fully bake. The reason, I think, is because the pumpkin made it much more moist.) This came out very spongey, like a bread pudding. It also shrunk away from the pan and was very easy to remove. Hope you enjoy!

Baked Pita Chips

2 or more packages of Pita Bread (try to get the ones without the pocket)

EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Sea Salt

Dried herbs like Basil, parsley, garlic (optional)


Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut pita/flat bread into chip size triangle pieces, like a pizza.
Pour some EVOO onto a foil lined baking sheet.
Put cut pita pieces onto baking sheet; spread and stir around in EVOO until both sides are evenly coated.
Place each pita triangle flat onto baking sheet, trying not to stack pieces.
Sprinkle desired amount of Sea Salt, herbs & garlic (dried) on top of pita.
Bake @ 400 deg F for about 10 min, or until golden brown. If you like a crispier chip, go a bit longer. If you desire a softer chip, bake for a bit less time.

Goes great with hummus of every flavor, homemade dips, and/or Tayana's Gorgonzola (or blue cheese) Dip recipe. We also like to serve these pitas (& dip) with fresh veggies & greek pitted green olives w/ garlic (I got mine at olive cart near deli at Safeway). I found the Kontos Nan flat bread and other types of Pita Bread in bakery area near hamburger buns in Safeway.

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Flour to dust

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Add raisins, if desired. Add buttermilk. Mix with a fork until moistened.

Knead gently about 1 minute. Shape into a ball. Place dough on a greased cookie sheet or pie plate and flatten into a 7-inch circle. Dough will be about 1 1/2 inches thick. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool. Brush top with melted butter. Dust with flour. Makes 1 loaf.