Saturday night off

Insert your favorite joke here...........................................

Why shouldn't you tell a secret on a farm? 
       Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears! 

French Bread Pizza

The kids love this! It's not a lot of work either. If your making this into a Pizza I skip the egg wash.

Ingredients:

6 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon cornmeal 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

1.	In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2.	On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3.	Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
4.	Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
5.	With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

A little trick I picked up, while your kneading the bread by hand, fill up the bowl with hot water and let sit. After your done kneading, dump the water and just wipe out bowl with paper towel and then rinse. Cleanup is a breeze.                                                                           After water, then just wipe clean

Before water

Let bread sit, cut horizontally. Lay out on baking sheet tray, Top with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and season to taste. Set under broiler till cheese is melted.  Side note; forgot pic of finished product. oops.

why oh why are you doing this to me?

I'll try not to do this to you after today,,,,,,, but another few things. Thanks FDA for having our backs.

And if your not sick enough

For those reading the last couple of posts, as if that wasn't enough. Here are eighteen more things to find out about.

More food problems

The more I read the sicker I get. Why are these things aloud in our food. Why would our government allow this? Lord only knows, but I've lost my appetite for the day. Thanks world, I knew you were on my side,,,,,,,,,NOT!

Took a little break

So life got in the way for a few days. Scouts, kids, and other commitments had to take priority. Meanwhile back at the ranch................ Freakin gross, that is all I can say.

Another day, another fact

And this is gross. 

Ahh breakfast on a day off Scrapple sandwich

mmm, mmm, gooood.

Breakfast on this snowy Monday morning with family and guest Sarah.

Ingredients

Four 1/4-inch-thick slabs scrapple
1 cup instant flour, such as Wondra
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
3 tablespoons butter, plus more for frying
4 slices American cheese ( I used white)
4 Farm fresh hen eggs
8 slices soft white bread ( I used Italian)

Directions

Dredge the scrapple in the instant flour and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the butter in a saute pan or skillet over medium heat and gently brown the scrapple on each side, about 3 minutes. Remove the scrapple from the pan and place on a paper-towel-lined tray. Top with the American cheese and allow to slowly melt on top for about 2 minutes. Discard the butter and wipe the pan.

Fry the eggs sunny side up in fresh butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the eggs over the slices of scrapple and cheese.

Layer the scrapple, egg and cheese between 2 pieces of soft white bread, making 4 sandwiches total.

Day 28 another kid knows what's going on.

Day 27 why you should be cooking for yourself

As I have tried to say, we are all part of the vicious cycle. Does it really take that much longer to cook something from scratch. Isn't the few extra minutes worth the trouble to know exactly what is in your food? I think it is.

Day 26 why you should raise your own chickens

For your educating pleasure.

Day 25 57! then what's in Heinz 57 ketchup?

Lost a baby today. Not sure what happened. She was laying down, not looking good. Picked her up got her to drink water a few times, laid her back down 30 minutes later she was gone.

Wow scary thought.

Day 24 eggs and fat info

Just read an interesting article. Can't wait till my babies start laying now more then ever. Come on ladies let's get to work.

Eggs, which are actually among the most nutritious foods you can eat (provided they come from organically raised, pastured hens) have long been accused of causing heart disease simply because they're high in cholesterol. But dietary cholesterol has little to do with the cholesterol level in your body, and numerous studies have confirmed that eating eggs does NOT raise potentially adverse LDL cholesterol in your blood. Studies have also failed to find any evidence that eggs contribute to heart disease.

Day 23 my babies have finally arrived

Got a call yesterday (I was doing a field trip) while I was down in Roanoke from the post office in Dullas that the chicks were in if I wanted to pick them up. While I would have been ecstatic to have them here a day early, I was not driving an hour and half to pick them up. He said they'd be at my local office Monday anyway. So I got the call they were at the local post office around 8:30 am ran into town for a few last minute things and picked them up on the way home. I expected them on Tuesday or Wednesday, but I was ready for them regardless. For once I was prepared. They've adjusted quite nicely, quieted down quite a bit too. But boy are they messy. Last time I used cedar shavings as a base. That was a pain clean and dusty too. I read on Facebook (Pet Chickens of Virginia) about a tip for using puppy training pads instead. Cleanup looks like it might be easier, time will tell. I got 10 Rhode Island reds, 15 Red Rangers plus they gave me a extra one and 1 that looks like a Buff Laced Polish. Time will tell if it's a he or she. I have no clue how to sex a bird, not at this point anyway. Total of 27 birds.

 

Day 20 Chicken fried Steak with taters

Who doesn't like chicken fried steak? Everybody does, unless your a freak or from some Northern foreign country or something. :p Just kidding, not.

Ingredients

Cube Steak

Flour

Chili Powder

Kosher Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Eggs 2-3

Milk Cup -Cup 1/2

Peanut oil (or your favorite frying oil)

Heat 1/4" of oil on high in a large skillet or cast iron skillet is best. 

This in my opinion is a season to taste recipe. Mix dry ingredients together in a shallow tray or dish.  Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. Dip Cube Steak through mixture and carefully lift to slightly drain. Lay down in flour mixer and lightly press into flour. With a fork or if you don't mind club fingers flip and push. Repeat as many times as necessary to cover meat in flour. Lay steak into oil slowly from one end to the other in a left to right motion, do not drop into oil. Fill pan with as many steaks that will fit. Mine hold 3 easy. Fry until golden brown  (about 3-5 min) and flip over for same time repeat for each steak. Drain on a paper towell lined plate.

Gravy

3-4 tbl. Butter

3-4 tbl. AP Flour

2-3 cups milk

Melt butter in a sauce pot. Whisk in flour until all the butter is absorbed.  Slowly add milk while whisking. Turn heat down to med-low. and whisk every 30-45 seconds until thickens (approx 10-15 min.). 

Mashed taters

10 Potatoes

4 tbl Kosher Salt

2 cups milk

Peel and slice potatoes 1/4" slices. Put into 4 or 5 qt pot. Cover with water and season with a good pinch of Kosher salt. Boil till potatoes are fork soft (approx 15 min). drain add butter and milk and with electric blender or stand mixer mix until smooth. Salt to taste.

Plate meat and potatoes and cover with gravy. Enjoy

Day 19 Carrot Cake

First time making a cake, well does cheese cake count. I did that once and the center was gooey. So this is a go round of a horse of a different color.

Ingredients

Carrot Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups finely grated carrots
1 cup crushed pineapple
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Carrot Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Grease and line three 8-inch pans (for a 3 layer cake) or two 9-inch pans (for a 2 layer cake)
3. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and sugar.  Add the oil and using an electric mixter on low, mix together, adding in the eggs while mixing.
4. Once combined using a wooden spoon mix in the crushed pineapple and then the grated carrots.
5. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until a cake tester poked into the middle of the cake comes out clean. (Times will vary if you are doing the 3, 8 inch or the 2, 9 inch cake pans)  
6. Set the cake pans on cooling racks and let cool for 5 minutes, then turn out of the pans onto the racks and let continue to cool before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the sugar and the vanilla. 
2. Beat until nice and spreadable.

Assembly

1. Put the first layer of cake on a cake plate. Spread some frosting on it.
2. Repeat with 2nd and 3rd layer.
3. Frost the entire outside of the cake.

Original Simple Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe found at Grandmothers Kitchen Recipes.

Day 18 French Onion Soup

     Made everything from scratch for this meal. Only thing that could have been better, would have been to grown my own vegetables and have my own dairy cow for the cheese and milk and eventually butter.

French Onion Soup                                           Serves 6
3 tbs Butter
1 1/2 lbs Onions thinly sliced
2 1/4 tsp Sugar
3 tbs AP Flour
14.5 oz Beef Broth
1 1/2 Cups Water
3/4 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Dried Minced Onions
3/4 tsp Beef Bouillon Granules
1/8 tsp Garlic Salt
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
6 slices French Bread (recipe below)
3/4 cup Swiss Cheese or Slices of Provolone to cover crocks

In pot melt butter, add onions and sugar. Cook on low heat until lightly browned. About 1 hour.  When ready sprinkle flour over onions and stir until well blended. Gradually stir in beef broth, add the water, salt, dried onions, bullion, garlic salt and pepper. Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes  and cover. Set temp to low for 45 min. Ladle soup into bows or crocks. Insert bread into each bowl., cover with cheese and put under broiler for 5 min.

French Bread

6 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups warm water 110° F 1 tbs. cornmeal 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends. Line a baking sheet with tinfoil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.

With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

Garlic Butter
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Garlic Bulbs roasted. (cut tops off, drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil. Roast 20 min. @ 350° 

Mash garlic into a paste. Put into mixer bowl and pour cream into mixer bowl. mix 15 minutes, or until the butter separates. Strain off the liquid. Season to taste with salt if you like. Press butter into a small bowl with the back of a spoon to further remove liquid.

(for best results but whisk attachment and bowl in freezer for 10 min.)

Day 17 "the MANLOAF"

After much awaited anticipation.

      I have made this again with photo's. This is second time making this dish. First one was a lot better than the first, so I'm gonna scale back to the original recipe and re-group. I just think it needs a little tweaking. This is my first recipe for a dish, I normally do not follow a recipe to a "T". Or I just go along with my gut instinct. So here goes;

Mashed Potato's                                                   Serves 6
3 -4 medium potatoes
1/2 Lbs. Bacon
1 tsp. Kosher salt
3-4 tbs. unsalted butter
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450°
Peel and slice potatoes to 1/4" slices put into a 4-5 qt. pot and cover with water. Boil for approx 15-20 min. While that is happening line a baking sheet-pan with tin foil, and lay out slices of bacon in in baking sheet-pan. Cook for 20-25 min until just crisp. While that is all doing it's thing, mix remaining ingredients in a stand mixer bowl with whisk attachment. Mince bacon (leave foil on baking sheet). and drain potatoes. Put the bacon and potatoes in the stand mixer bowl and pulse until ingredients start to come together. Set on med for 5 min and reserve mix in a medium bowl.

                                 

Keep oven on at 375°

Meatloaf

15-20 saltine crackers

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tbs. Kosher salt

1 tbs steak sauce

1 med. onion

2 tsp. minced garlic

2 eggs

1/3 cup milk

3 lbs. Ground beef

1 lbs bacon reserved

Chop crackers in a food processor. Mix all dry ingredients together. Put beef and dry ingredients in stand mixer bowl with paddle attachment. Pulse to blend. Mix wet ingredients and pulse to blend. Mix on medium for approx 5 minutes or until thoroughly blended.

Now the fun begins.

Take bacon and weave into a mat design in baking sheet-pan. Take meat mixture and spread evenly over weave. Take the potato mix and form a row of potatoes in the center of bacon/meat mat.

Roll into entire contraption into a log. Flip over so seem in on bottom. Cover with foil and cook until meat is 165° (when checking temperature of meat do not stick thermometer into potato mix).

Sauce

1 cup ketchup

2 tbs. Brown sugar

Spread sauce evenly over log and return to oven for 5-10 minutes. Slice. Enjoy

Day 16

     Not much happening today. Got two of the kids to stack some wood. Waiting on this storm to come in and dump some snow. Gonna try and knock some fixer upper jobs tomorrow since schools are closed.
     Contact has been made for pigs. They have some, so we will see what happens.

Day 15 Okay I kinda cheated

Long day, got 3 hours sleep and spent the day doing Scout stuff and didn't get home till 5:00 pm so I made rippers for the family. HEY THERE'S BACON, so how can it be bad for ya?

Hot Dogs

Bacon

Toothpicks

Deep-fryer

Wrap hot-dogs with bacon, stick toothpick through end of bacon so it does not unravel. Drop in deep-fryer for approx 2-3 minutes. Eat & Enjoy. mmm mmm gooooood.