Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Honey-Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup shortening

1 tablespoon salt

2 packages  regular or quick dry yeast

2 1/4 cups very warm water (120-130 degrees)

3 to 4 cups bread flour

Butter - melted - 1-2 tablespoons for step 19 and 1-2 tablespoons for step 23

Instructions:

1.  Mix whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt, and yeast in large bowl.
2.  Add warm water.

3.  Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute - scraping bowl as necessary.

4.  Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.

5.  Using a plastic spatula, stir in bread flour - 1 cup at a time.  This will make dough easy to handle.

6.  Place dough on lightly floured surface.

7.  Knead about 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy.

8.  Place dough in large bowl greased with shortening, turning dough to grease all sides.

9.  Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 40 to 60 minutes or until double.

10.  Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

11.  Grease bottoms and sides of 2 loaf pans (8.5 x 4.5 or 9 x 5)

12.  Gently push dough with fist to deflate.

13.  Divide dough in half.

14.  Flatten each half with hands or rolling pin into 18 x 9 inch rectangle on lightly floured surface.

15.  Roll dough tightly, beginning at 9 inch side.  Press thumbs to seal after each turn.

16.  Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal.

17.  Press each end with side of hand and fold the ends of the loaves over the top to seal the ends.

18.  Place seam side down in pan.

19.  Brush loaves lightly with butter.

20.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap.

21.  Let rise in warm place for 35-50 minutes.

22.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes - loaves should be deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

23.  Brush top of loaves with more butter.

24.  Let cool.

25.  Enjoy!!!

Mark's Notes - 

I put this in the oven for 45 minutes, and that was almost too long.  It didn't burn, but it was a little darker than I wanted.  Next time, I'll go with the 40 minutes.

Mark's Story - 

It had been forever since I had baked homemade bread.  I came across this recipe in the Betty Crocker Cookbook.  Lately, I've been baking lots of stuff with honey.

This recipe turned out really well.  Abby loved it.  Trisha's grandparents came up to visit and they loved it.

Sweet Potato-Pecan Casserole

Sweet Potato-Pecan Casserole

Ingredients:
3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium)
1/3 cup honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon in step 8, 1/2 teaspoon in step 10.
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions:
1.  Fill a 2 quart pot with water and bring to a boil.
2.  Once water is at a boil, place sweet potatoes in the pot.
3.  Cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes.
4.  Drain water and place sweet potatoes on paper towel to cool for 10-15 minutes.
5.  Peel sweet potatoes.
6.  Place peeled sweet potatoes in a large bowl.
7.  Using a potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes.
8.  Add honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and salt.
9.  Mix until smooth - by hand or electric mixer.
10.  For the Topping Mix - mix the sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans in a small bowl.
11.  Add the sweet potato mix to a 8in. or 9in. baking dish.
12.  Spread the topping mix over the sweet potato mix.
13.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes
14.  Enjoy.

Mark's Story - 
Trish loves sweet potatoes.  I just read an article that sweet potatoes, or any orange vegetable, could help control allergies.  Trish also has allergies.  So, I went looking for more sweet potato recipes.  I found this on the Food Network.

Here is the original recipe.  
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/sweet-potato-pecan-casserole-recipe.html

I changed it slightly by boiling the sweet potatoes first, then peeling, then mashing.  Something I learned from the Betty Crocker cookbook for how to mash sweet potatoes.  If the sweet potatoes won't mash.  Toss the peeled sweet potatoes in the microwave for 5 minutes.  They should mash then.

List of Mark's Baking Adventure Blogs

List of Mark's Baking Adventure Blogs

Welcome to Mark's Baking Adventures - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2012/08/ welcome-to-marks-baking-adventures.html

Mark's Kitchen Rules - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/marks-kitchen-rules.html

Blueberry Banana Bread - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/blueberry-banana-bread.html

Ultimate Banana Bread - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/ultimate-banana-bread.html

Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (nutella) - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/homemade-chocolate-hazelnut-spread.html

Really Good French Toast - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/really-good-french-toast.html

Berry Fool - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/berry-fool.html

Cooking Music - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/cooking-music.html

French Toast Casserole - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2012/08/french-toast-casserole.html

Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/almond-butter-dark-chocolate-chip.html

Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles - August 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/08/hazelnut-chocolate-truffles.html

Zucchini Bread - September 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2012/09/zucchini-bread.html

Really Good Pumpkin Bread - September 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/09/really-good-pumpkin-bread.html

Less is More:  Cook's Illustrated Lighter Brownies - October 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/10/less-is-more-cooks-illustrated-lighter.html

Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Fudge - October 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/10/peanut-butter-and-dark-chocolate-fudge.html

Atlantic Salmon with Pomegranate-Balsmic Vinegar - October 2012

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2012/10/atlantic-salmon-with-pomegranate.html

Apple-Cranberry Pie - January 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/01/apple-cranberry-pie-by-cooks-illustrated.html

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast - March 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/03/cinnamon-raisin-french-toast-by-panera.html

Mexican Chocolate Fudge - March 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/03/mexican-chocolate-fudge.html

Herb Crusted Salmon - April 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2013/04/cooks-illustrated-herb-crusted-salmon.html

Banana Bread Brownies - May 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/05/banana-bread-brownies.html

Mother's Day Cheese Omelet - May 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2013/05/mothers-day-cheese-omelet.html

Texas Style Blueberry Cobbler - May 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2013/05/cooks-country-texas-style-blueberry.html

Purple Monstrosity - May 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/05/purple-monstrosity.html

Blueberry-Peach Cobbler - July 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/09/blueberry-peach-cobbler.html

Cook's Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies - September 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/09/cooks-illustrated-perfect-chocolate.html

Cook's Illustrated Pumpkin Pie - September 2013

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2013/09/cooks-illustrated-pumpkin-pie.html

Whole Wheat Pancakes - January 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/01/whole-wheat-pancakes.html

Banana Bread - Honey and Apple Sauce - March 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/03/banana-bread-honey-and-apple-sauce.html

Ratatouille - April 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/04/ratatouille.html

Sweet Potato Pie - April 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/04/sweet-potato-pie.html

Blueberry Buckle - May 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/05/blueberry-buckle.html

Carrot Soup - June 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/06/carrot-soup.html

Rubik's Cube and Mark's Baking Adventures - June 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/06/rubiks-cube-and-marks-baking-adventures.html

Cinnamon Swirl Rolls - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/cinnamon-swirl-rolls.html

Cinnamon Swirl Biscuits - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/cinnamon-roll-biscuits-from-next-great.html

Fritata - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/fritta.html

Miriam's Banana Muffins - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/miriams-banana-muffins.html

Abby's White Chocolate Chip Muffins - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/abbys-white-chocolate-chip-muffins.html

Black Forest Parfaits - July 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/07/black-forest-parfaits.html

Blueberry Grunt - Cook's Country - August 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/08/blueberry-grunt-cooks-country.html

Blueberry Peach Cobbler - September 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/09/blueberry-peach-cobbler.html

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread - October 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/10/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-bread.html

Blueberry-Pineapple Buckle - October 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/10/blueberry-pineapple-buckle.html

Upside Down Pineapple Cake - November 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/11/upside-down-pineapple-cake.html

Broccoli Cheese Casserole - December 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/12/broccoli-and-cheese-casserole.html

Breakfast Casserole - December 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/12/breakfast-casserole.html

Thanksgiving Day Baking - December 2014

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2014/12/thanksgiving-day-baking.html

Banana Cream Pie - March 2015

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/03/banana-cream-pie.html

Mouse-tacular Chocolate Cookies - April 2015

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/04/mouse-tacular-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Grilled Mediterranean Tuna Steaks - June 2015

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/06/grilled-mediterranean-tuna-steaks.html

Apple Scones - Ocoteber 2015

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/10/apple-scones.html

Pumpkin-Blueberry Bread - October 2015

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/10/pumpkin-blueberry-bread.html Sweet Potato-Pecan Casserole http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/11/sweet-potato-pecan-casserole.html Honey-Whole Wheat Bread http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/11/honey-whole-wheat-bread.html Slow Cooker Breakfast http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/slow-cooker-breakfast.html Cornbread http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/cornbread.html Cornbread Stuffing http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/cornbread-stuffing.html Mini Pecan or Pumpkin Pies http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/mini-pecan-pies-and-mini-pumpkin-pies.html Springerle Cookies http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/springerle-cookies.html Christmas 2015 http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com /2015/12/christmas-2015-baking.html Mark's Story - As I've been blogging, the index at the left panel lists blogs by when they are published.  I cannot figure out how to get a full list of all the blogs so I do not need to click on each year and month to figure out what is posted.  Also, the search feature does not always work the way I think it should work.  And so I came up with this list of my blogs for anyone to browse through.  I will keep this updated as I add more blogs.  Jesus loves you!!  Enjoy!!

Pumpkin-Blueberry Bread

Blueberry-Pumpkin Bread - 

This is essentially an update to my Chocolate Chip-Pumpkin Bread.

http://marksbakingadventures.blogspot.com/2014/10/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-bread.html

1.  Use 1 cup of blueberries rather than chocolate chips.
2.  If using frozen blueberries, microwave blueberries for 20 seconds.

When pumpkins are in season, it may be more difficult to find fresh blueberries, and may need to use frozen blueberries.

I love blueberries.  I love blueberry-banana bread.  I'd thought I'd try it with the pumpkin bread and see how it turned out.  

It was really good.  It blended nicely.  Abby really liked it.  She prefers it over the regular pumpkin bread.

Enjoy!!

Apple Scones

Apple Scones

Ingredients - 

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup minced apples without skin

1 egg beaten

2/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter (for topping)

2 tablespoons sugar (for topping)

1.  Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

2.  Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder

3.  Cut in butter

4.  Add the sugar and minced apples

5.  Mix in the egg and milk to make a soft dough

6.  Stir ingredients until well mixed

7.  Grease an 8x8 baking pan

8.  Spread batter in greased 8x12 pan (an 8x8 pan also works)

9.  Bake for 20-25 minutes

10.  When done, spread the 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons sugar over the top.

11.  Cut into 2 inch squares.  

12.  Enjoy.  

Mark's Notes - 

The original recipe calls for an 8x12 pan.  I used an 8x8 pan and it turned out well.

I ran out of butter and sugar for the topping.  Other than that it was good.  The trick to scones is to not overmix the batter.

Mark's Story - 

Miriam came home from school with her school newspaper - Kid's World News.  It has kid friendly recipes in the "Cookin Fun" section.  There was a recipe for Apple Scones that Miriam wanted me to make, and so I made them.

"Apple Scones."  Kid's World News September 2015:  9.  Print.

Grilled Mediterranean Tuna Steaks

Grilled Mediterranean Tuna Steaks

Ingredients:

4 tuna steaks (5-7 ounces)

1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup to 1 cup)
2-4 tablespoons olives

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or oregano leaves (or 3 teaspoons dried basil or oregano)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1.  In medium bowl, toss tomato, feta cheese, olives, and only 1 tablespoon or the basil (or oregano).

2.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

3.  In small bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons basil (or oregano), the olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper.

4.  Spray the grill with cooking spray and heat to medium-high.

5.  Brush the oil mixture over the tuna

6.  Grill tuna uncovered for 5-10 minutes (depending on thickness)

7.  Turn the tuna on the grill.

8.  Brush tuna with any remaining oil mixture.

9.  Grill tuna 10-15 minutes (depending on thickness), or until tuna flakes easily with a fork.  (Flake is a bite size portion of tuna that comes off easily from the steak).

10.  Top each tuna with the tomato mixture.

11.  Enjoy.

Mark's Notes:

This recipe is from the Betty Crocker iphone app.

The original recipe is for 4 tuna steaks.  When I made this, I made 5 tuna steaks.  That is why I needed a whole tomato.  For the other ingredients, I just added a little more for each ingredient like approximately 1/8 more feta cheese, 1/8 more oregano, 1/8 more olive oil, 1/8 more garlic salt, and 1/8 more pepper.

I used dried oregano rather than basil.

I didn't know what a "flake" was in the recip until I actually cooked it and a "flake" did come off easily with a fork.

Mark's Story:

Back in May, for Mother's Day, I made a herb-salmon dinner for my mom.  My dad gave me a newspaper clipping for a tuna recipe.  I thanked him.  I studied the recipe when I got home.  I wasn't familiar with the ingredients on the list.  So, I researched a simpler tuna steak recipe to make for my dad on Father's Day.

My parents were staying with my brothers so I went over there and made dinner.  I used my George Foreman electric indoor/outdoor grill.  That worked very well.  It's very portable, can grill a lot, and very easy to use - no charcoal or propane to mess with.

It took me 15 minutes or so to prepare all the ingredients.  It took another 25 minutes to grill the tuna.  It turned out really well.

I've never cooked tuna steaks before.  When I bought them, I was hoping that 25 minutes would be long enough to cook them through, and it was.  I was joking with my brother that he should have the pizza delivery on speed dial in case something went terribly wrong.  It turned out really really nice.  The aromas that filled the kitchen added to the entire ambiance of this dinner.

My brother made a side of rice and vegetables to go with this.

For dessert, for Father's Day, I made a Black Forest Cherry Parfait - this can be found elsewhere on my blog.

I enjoyed cooking for everyone.  I'm excited that it turned out so well.  I'm excited that everyone liked it so much.  Now, I need to make this dinner for Trish (she had taken the kids to go visit her dad for Father's Day).

And when I make it again, I'll get a picture and add it to this.

Mouse-tacular Chocolate Cookies

Mouse-tacular Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Nonpareil candies or similar chocolate drops
Mini bow shaped cake-decorating candies

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper
3.  Measure the powdered sugar into a small bowl and set aside
4.  Combine the softened butter and the 3/4 cup granulated sugar (not the powdered sugar).
5.  Beat the butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until light and creamy
6.  Beat in eggs and vanilla extract
7.  Roll a spoonful of the batter into 1 1/4 ball.
8.  Roll the bottom of the ball in the powdered sugar
9.  Place on the baking sheet with powdered sugar side down.
10.  Bake the cookies until they puff up and the tops crack (8-10 minutes).
11.  Set the baking sheets atop cooling racks until cookies have cooled.
12.  Heat the chocolate chips in a microwave bowl for one minute with the microwave set at 50 percent power.
13.  Stir the chips and heat for another 15 seconds. 
14.  Stir again and repeat until the chocolate has melted.
15.  For each ear, dip the chocolate candy in the melted chocolate and attach to the cookies.  (If necessary, use a spoon to make an indentation in the cookie before placing ears.  Otherwise, just push the chocolate candy into place).
16.  Dip part of the bow-shaped candies and stick it in base of the ears on half the cookies for the Minnie Mouse cookies.
17.  Enjoy.

Mark's Notes - 
First night I tried to make this, I found our powdered cocoa - it was expired.  Trish was out and about with Abby doing some other shopping, and she stopped on her way home to get the powdered cocoa.  She gets home.  I take the cocoa powder and continue with the recipe.  Then I mixed in the powdered sugar with the butter rather than the powdered sugar in step 5.  It was late at night, so, I gave up.  Cleaned up the kitchen to start again the next day.

Miriam helped me mix everything together both nights.  Trish was able to find some bows in the cake decorating aisle.  

Mark's Story - 
For Spring Break 2015, we went to Orlando.  We went to SeaWorld, Universal, Islands of Adventure, Disney, and Downtown Disney.  At Downtown Disney, Miriam found Disney's "The Minnie and Friends Cookbook", and she wanted me to get it so we could do some baking together.  How could I say no.  When we got home, she went through the book and picked out which recipes she wanted me to do first.  She wanted to do this recipe first.



Littlefied, C.  (2014).  The Minnie and Friends Cookbook.  New York:  Disney Press.