Cheese Bread

I really love cheese bread from the bakery and I was sure it would be easy to make at home.

More than ten years ago I had tried making cheese bread with the recipe which came with my bread maker and it was pretty disappointing. Because the bread maker requires you to add the cheese at some point while kneading, the cheese got too chopped up and incorporated - I preferred to see and taste the cheese in the centre.

Okay, this recipe is not a part two of the Trade Secrets post - while the recipe for cheese bread is really easy, it does require that you already know how to make bread or at least you know how to use a bread maker, as this bread could be made in the bread maker on the dough cycle. I have done this with other loaves with great success. It allows you to make a regular sized loaf in loaf pans, rather than the monster tall bread machine give-away loaves.

What I have done is to start bread dough in the bread maker, follow the regular instructions that come with the machine, then set to "dough" instead of the full "loaf" setting. When it is finished, treat as though it has just finished its first rise (although it is somewhat longer than it would have been by hand) and if you choose this way, you may proceed to those instructions when you take your dough out of the bread maker pan.

In this case, I used my KitchenAid and I used a modified version of the following recipes:
The KitchenAid Basic White Bread recipe - http://breadtopia.com/downloads/Basic_White_Bread.pdf
and
Robin Hood Canadian Cheddar Cheese Bread - http://robinhood.ca/recipe-details.aspx?rid=2789

My exact recipe I have listed below. For the most part, I used the KitchenAid recipe  and method but added 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 beaten egg and 1 tsp Tabasco Sauce to the warm milk mixture. I proceeded in the first phase as the rest of the KitchenAid directions adding the cheese during the "shaping a loaf phase". The only other change I make is to use the larger 9 1/4 x 5 1/4 loaf pans. I had no trouble filling these babies up - the smaller ones  (8x4ish?) would have been far too small for this recipe.

After the first rise (which in this heat was 30mins but is usually more like45- 60), punch down dough. Divide in half. Roll out your dough into a 6x14" rectangle. Sprinkle with 3/4 cups of grated old or extra old (sharp) cheddar cheese. Roll up, jelly roll style,  at short end and pinch edge and ends closed. Set in greased loaf pan. Repeat for second loaf. Allow to rise until double (about 60mins).

Brush with your favourite wash - I use beaten egg and water. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup more grated cheese. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25 mins. This works in my oven and pans, yours may prefer longer or hotter. You may wish to bake as you usually would. Bread is done when it is golden, sometimes has left sides of pan and/or sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.

RECIPE for CHEESE BREAD:

½ cup  milk

3  tablespoons sugar

2  teaspoons salt

3  tablespoons butter or margarine

1 beaten egg

1 tsp Tabasco Sauce

2   packages active dry yeast or 2 teaspoons Instant Yeast

1 ½  cup warm water (105F to 110F)

5-6  cup white unbleached flour

½ cup Parmesan Cheese

2 cups grated Old (sharp ) Cheddar Cheese - reserve ½  cup for tops of loaves

beaten egg and water for glaze

Directions:

   1. Combine milk, sugar, salt, and butter in small measuring cup. Microwave for 1 minute and then stir to dissolve sugar and incorporate; cool to lukewarm. 

   2. If using active dry yeast, dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.  If using Instant Yeast, just add it to the flour and mix it in before adding liquids. 

  3. Add beaten egg and Tabasco Sauce to lukewarm milk mixture. Add milk mixture to water in mixture bowl. Add 4 ½ cup flour. Attach bowl and dough hook. Turn to speed 2 and mix 1 minute. Continuing on speed 2,  add remaining flour, ½ cup at a time (slowly so it doesn’t fly out of  bowl), until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl. Knead on speed 2 for 2 minutes longer, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Dough will be slightly sticky to the touch.

   4. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about an hour.

   5. Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape each half into a loaf : roll out half the dough into a 6 x 14 rectangle and sprinkle with grated cheese. Roll up and pinch to seal. Place in a greased loaf pan. Cover; let rise in warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. 

   6. Brush tops with beaten egg and water. Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire racks.

Alternatively, you may wish to simply choose your favourite bread recipe and modify it by following these steps:
After the first rise, punch down dough. If you are making two loaves (5-6 cups of flour), divide in half. If not, skip that step. Roll out your dough into a 6x14" rectangle. Sprinkle with 3/4 cups of grated old or extra old (sharp) cheddar cheese. Roll up, jelly roll style,  at short end and pinch edge and ends closed. Set in greased loaf pan. Repeat if making second loaf. Allow to rise until double (about 60mins).

Brush with your favourite wash - I use beaten egg and water. Sprinkle with more grated cheese. Bake  as you do for your other loaves.

Raised Bed Gardening

We are trying raised bed gardening this year mainly because we have no sun in the backyard due to an oversized willow tree (and a small yard). A friend suggested using the front yard and although worried at first about what our neighbours would think, we gave it a try.

Let's just say, we are LOVING it!

Our only issues where related to inexperience with this type of gardening. They are:

1. overcrowding due to inadequate trellises  - we really didn't plan that part well
2. shading caused by faster growing plants getting big before climbing plants have a chance
3. organization of where plants are - too many trellis-needy plants in the same area
4. large / fast growing plants encroaching on slower growing plants

However, things are going really well so no real worries. We will get what we get. So far we have several zucchinis, pumpkins, butternut squash and a few melons. We have eaten all our radishes and a lot of our lettuce and no new plants germinated :( We tried to plant seeds in intervals so there would be an ongoing crop but we didn't have luck with that (perhaps too hot/cold?)

here you can see our zucchini (right) taking over the whole bed (poor carrots)

somewhat full view of what is going on (with a goofy child thrown in)
Lots of sunflowers, some beans and peppers 

lettuce, pumpkins, peas and tomatoes

herbs, red cabbage, butternut squash etc...

Can you see our tiny watermelon? (lower middle)

Trade Secrets - Part I

Okay, you know how it is. People think you are amazing, you can do something and you get oos and ahhs. But truthfully, the "thing" that is getting the attention is really some simple, quick and easy secret that part of you is reluctant to tell. The other part of you wants to share how easy it is so everyone can enjoy.

I have a few of these. Things we make that get rave reviews, compliments and a bit of hero-worship when all the while it is a cinch.

Here is part one of a series of easy little projects that I have been holding back in the sharing department. Some of what I have been making and sharing on this blog is relatively easy, but a bit time consuming. This series is different.

TRADE SECRET PART ONE - Homemade Iced Cap (first method)

If you live in Canada, like me, you have probably been to Tim Hortons - you may even go daily. If you are from the US, in the northern States, you may have a Tim Hortons as well. In Canada, Tim Hortons is an ICON, even more so than Starbucks in the US. (Note, if you are from Vancouver I well understand you may have a love affair with Starbucks which rivals both that of the US and Canadians for Tim Hortons).

Canadians LOVE coffee. I read somewhere that per capita, we drink more coffee than any place in the world. Probably has something to do with Tim Hortons, our weather and availability of good quality coffees since coffee was imported.  However, a new rival has taken over - the Iced Cap. I know people who are drinking several of these a day during the warmer months. Scary actually.

If you are not familiar with the Iced Cap, it is an "iced cappuccino" made with shaved ice - like a slushy. I want to be clear here, there is no real espresso in this baby. It is made with a coffee "syrup", milk or cream and shaved ice. There are newer options, such as flavouring, whipped topping etc.  I admit to liking these myself. So much so, that I decided to try to make these at home.

Why make homemade iced caps? For a number of reasons:

1. cheaper -  an iced cap isn't expensive, but a small is over $2 each and they can really add up
2. faster - I don't even need to go out
3. made with less fat and sugar - less calories
4. saves plastic - they won't even make an Ice Cap in your cup - they will tell you then can't or make it in a plastic cup, pour it into your reusable cup and throw the disposable one away (either in front of you or where you can't see - this has happened to me several times)
5. you know what is actually in it
6. you can eveb make it Fair Trade if you wish to

Delicious Homemade Chocolate Iced Cap - in less than 5 mins!

A while ago we bought ourselves the groovy reusable cups (above), but we have been making homemade iced caps for several years in whatever was available. The only tool you absolutely need is a blender - we have an old-ish one that does a really great job of crushing / shaving ice and has a metal attachment. Don't worry though, the glass containers work fine as well.  The following is instructions which will make one HUGE iced cap or two small ones. Adjust to your glass size as you get used to making these.

Recipe for two:

• Ice cubes
• 2 rounded tsp of cocoa
• 2 rounded tsp of instant coffee
• 2-6 rounded tsp of sugar
• 1- 2 cups of milk (depends on how thick you like it  - I used about 1 1/2 cups here)

If you prefer not adding chocolate - feel free to leave it out! 

I use instant coffee for this version, unsweetened cocoa, white sugar and 1% milk. You can also use cream, chocolate milk (instead of milk and cocoa - but my way is cheaper and more chocolaty) etc. In another version, I will show using real espresso. This version is still yummy, cheap and fast.

 I start with about an ice cube tray's worth of ice. We have an ice maker now on our fridge, but we used to keep a couple of extra ice cube trays just for making iced caps. Here I have used about 14 ice cubes. One thing I have learned is if you try to do too much at once, it will not work.

                                                  I pulse for one second intervals - 5-10 times. 

 This is what you will get - some crushing, with some large chunks still present. Then I turn to low speed for about 10 seconds.

   Each machine will be different, but in mine, the ice is completely crushed / shaved like snow at this point. You may need to blend a little longer  - just wait for the "quiet" as the ice becomes blended. You can pretty much hear when it is ready because the chunks of ice are a little on the loud side. When they are gone, it is quieter and ready for the next step. 

Now I scrap down the sides (usually with a spatula but it was in the dishwasher so I used a spoon)

  

 This is when I add the cocoa, instant coffee, sugar and milk. Do this to your own taste. I like mine a little on the bitter side so I don't like a lot of sugar. You absolutely do NOT need to dissolve the instant coffee and sugar in boiling water or anything. I will just mix in perfectly.

Blend for about 10 seconds for this.

 

Blend for another 10 seconds and it is done

      

Pour into whatever groovy cups you have available and voila!

  I am revising my original post to add that after drinking my own version for so long, when I have been out driving somewhere, got hot and went to Tim Horton's, I was pretty disappointed. Our homemade iced caps taste a lot richer and more coffee-like than Timmies which I also found to be too sweet.  Because you are able to customize these to your liking, you can easily make them sweeter and milder or however you wish. Add vanilla, spices - whatever strikes our fancy!

 In a subsequent post I will show another version using espresso via the following:

Love in the Afternoon

I haven't been writing lately. My bad. The reason is because, of course, I was busy. But in truth it really does warrant some explanation. Who isn't busy?

As most people know, I am working on my Master's degree in planning. What some don't know is that I am nearly finished. Actually, I just finished my final term of classes. Hence, the "too busy to blog" excuse.  All I have left is my major paper, which I will be working on all summer. 

But that is only the first part. The second is that I am also involved with a few volunteer activities, vaguely planning related (actually, much more than vaguely - they are all about the planning) which require monthly meetings, and some preparation and work outside the meetings.

The best part though, is part three. For the summer, although I wasn't trying initially, I got a full-time contract with the County of Wellington (a good 1 3/4 hours away) as a junior planner. In truth, it is a dream come true. Great experience, great people, a great job. And of course, experience is everything - sure the degree is helpful, but I have noticed that like all jobs, employers are desperately looking for planners with at least SOME municipal planning experience. This job is fulfilling that need. I  have learned so much in only a couple of weeks. Actually, it was power learning in the first four days. I felt like a different person.

Yes, it is rosy. I love this job. However, the downside is that during the week, I have to stay away from my family, leave all the household stuff up to Jason to make the trek down to Guelph for the week where I have been staying with my mom. Jason can do it of course, but let's not kid ourselves; having one parent away during the week is practically the equivalent for the remaining parent of single-parenthood. 

The first week was such bliss, that I hardly had time to miss anyone, but of course, there have been plenty of tears. And my weekends have been shot. Both weekends so far I have been trying to catch up on all the quality time I missed with my kids. We have been baking, cooking, hiking, cleaning, watching movies, hugging, reading....

Then there was my birthday, a great day. I got an amazing gift - a Kobo (if you don't know - where have you been? - it is an eReader). After a week of toting it around loose in my purse, it was time for a solution to protect it. So, I planned to take part of the afternoon last Saturday to make a little case for it. 

I wanted something simple, so I could have some near-instant gratification. I thought of doing something fancy which would allow me be able to read while it was still in the case, but I wasn't sure I needed to bother with something like that. So, I kept it simple. Plus, I wanted to have lots of time to spend with my kids.

No sooner had I finished it, but my son came along and asked if I would make him a case, just the same but for this iPod Touch. Of course I would. We picked out some fabric from my stash. The only thing I needed to ensure for him was that he could charge it while it was still in the case - and he can.

I was fancy enough to make a covered button for my Kobo-case, but I only because nothing I had seemed fitting. Alex's iPod case matched nicely with a button in my button box. The finishing touches - a matching hair elastic for a closure and a ribbon loop for a tag detail and voilà!

This just basically shows the other side - we picked out a different dog for the back. Because of the way the iPod Touch is shaped - the backside is curved and the front is flat - I padded one side and put cardboard in the other.

So now you know what I mean by "love in the afternoon" - sometimes the simplest things are a labour of love. My little guy asked - who could say no, especially when I missed him so much!

The good thing now is that I have at least one item to use as a template for different styles of cases I might make. Previously, when it was discussed in the comments of this blog (a few months ago?) I didn't have an eReader to even use to try out a case on. Sure, I could use the measurements from a bunch of websites which tell you the dimensions of the products, but it just isn't the same.  I would say something like this would take about an hour (or a bit less ) to make, so I would price something like this accordingly if I were making them for others. I think that an hour's labour would keep it reasonably affordable since it only took about a 1/3 of two fat quarters to make.

After trying it out all week - I am very happy with it. It may be useful to have a style like this one from Etsy.com where you could read it in the case like a book, but it would be a bit more labour intensive - but not much more fabric. Next time. 

No Impact Week Thoughts

Okay, so No Impact week was a few weeks ago and I have been largely quiet. It seems to me that I should probably write something about my lessons learned. I mean, what is the point of participating if there is no intention of learning anything? Primarily, the purpose of activities like No Impact Week are to try something new,  start conversations about sustainability, resilience, consumerism, the environment etc. and to learn something about one's self. I asked myself some questions that week:

1. What are the things I will have trouble giving up?
2. What am I willing to give up? 
3. What are the things I really do need?
4. What is the most challenging carbon-intensive activity I have to deal with? 
5. Is it all about giving something up or redefining what I want? 

Sometimes I ask myself, do I really even want things I buy or use. More often then not, the answer is no. For example, my friend is going for a coffee at break during class and asks if I want to go to, I say sure, but low and behold, I forgot my cup. Do I....

• grab a coffee anyway; it is only one more paper cup - no biggie right?
• grab a coffee anyway but buy another reusable cup to put it in at the same time (most coffee houses except Tim Hortons, this seems to be standard - reusable cups everywhere), I mean, I probably needed an extra cup or two right?
• decline and spend my break going over my notes in Quantitative Techniques?
• go along for the walk, but not buying coffee, using the time to enjoy conversation with my friend?

I have done all of these. And that might be okay too. Most of the time, I tote my cup along, but every once in awhile, I forget. Before anyone gets all radical on me spouting the evils of the coffee industry, carbon foot print and other such garblings. I know. I know too well. Coffee is one of my "vices". I admit it; I love coffee. 

If there is one thing I have learned during No Impact Week, and perhaps  well before it is that changing isn't easy. So many blogs, articles, news stories and conversation, are oriented around how easy reducing your impact is. 

• It is so easy to recycle that can.
• It is so easy to tote a reusable cup. 
• It is so easy to walk to the store.
• It is so easy to make homemade pizza.
• It is so easy to turn down the heat, turn off the lights, not run the water....

It is easy, making small changes. And even some of the big changes. However, not all changes are easy. Remembering isn't always easy.  I remember when we were starting to carry reusable shopping bags - we often forgot and had a scenario like the above. Now we have a better system and have made it a permanent change. If we forget to bring a bag, we usually buy less, or use a box from the store or some other solution.

Sometimes we might need to take stock of the changes we have made and celebrate them. Sometimes they were hard.  If you do get around to watching No Impact Man, think about how the changes you have made are doing good. Some have been hard. Some, like carrying a reusable cup, may not have global implications (water bottles are even better see OceanGybe) but small changes are likely the ones that stick and collectively they will make a big difference. 

So many of the small changes we have been making have been poo-pooed as minute, ineffectual, insignificant.   Such as Earth Hour. No one thinks that turning off a few lights for an hour is going to change anything through the reduced consumption - it is more about the collective action of all of us participating around the world, making a statement together that we are willing to make some changes and the conversations we have with our friends during Earth Hour.  Many people have been organizing events and parties to get friends and family together over Earth Hour to use the time to have fun and learn to enjoy what a media-free, electricity-free evening offers all of us in turn of our quality of life. 

Yes, our quality of life. So much we talk about this and what we mean is "we get to have stuff" - that is not the meaning of quality of life. Quality of life is the ability to feed, clothe and shelter yourself and family and have some leisure time to enjoy the richness of experience life has to offer. Quality of life might be seen in community volunteers, ability to go for a walk in a park or read a good book. 

Quality of life does not mean spending four hours a day on the 401 hwy commuting to work so that you can have that big screen tv or second SUV. It is not putting your kids in extra activities to avoid actually interacting with them. It is not eating fast food, golfing everyday or wearing Prada. 

One can have a high quality of life without raping the environment, or engaging in excessive consumerism. 

So, No Impact Week I also spent a lot of time thinking about quality of life. Isn't that what we are all after?  My two biggest self reflections for No Impact Week were about how to celebrate our successes and define what we really believe is our quality of life. If it isn't important to me - it can go. Cut it loose. 

Eggs Update

Our four hens have now laid 702 eggs since they started laying, which was the end of August. That was 32 weeks ago! They reached full production in mid September, about 29 weeks ago.

They are into their high season again and are laying at full capacity -  more than they were a few weeks ago in the coldest part of winter. By the way, they laid eggs all through the winter and there was never a day with no eggs - usually there were at least two - so pay no attention to those who would tell you that they don't lay in the winter! These ladies have done really well and we have enjoyed having them!

Pizza Day

Pizza Day is a great day. We don't reserve pizza for Saturday night.

Hey, dinner was ready by 7pm; it's all good.