Homemade Orange Sherbet:

A favorite treat at our house:

This is super easy! And made from only 3 ingredients!

*1 can evaporated milk

 *1 can frozen orange juice

 *1/2 cup sugar

Chill one can of evaporated milk in bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes.

You want it really cold, but not frozen. *Just until ice starts to form in the bowl.
(The colder it is, the quicker it whips up!)

Thaw one can frozen orange juice.

Whip milk until soft peaks form.

Blend in orange juice and 1/2 cup sugar.

Place in the freezer for approx. 2 hours.

Tip:

-Freeze leftovers in serving size cups for easy-serve.

-Try other flavors with frozen juices, chilled nectar may even work but I haven't tried it yet.

-You may need less sugar with other flavors!

-Also- if the OJ is too strong for your liking, you can add about 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla for a 'creamsicle' taste! 

-Even if you freeze overnight, this doesn't get hard, like ice, it stays soft.

 This picture is made like the orange except I subbed the O.J. for a can of apple-strawberry-kiwi juice with no HFCS. Very good- very sweet...it doesn't need but about 1/2 the sugar amount!

Menu Plan:

 WELCOME TO MENU PLAN MONDAY!

After one month of no shopping (other than milk, eggs, butter..), we're digging in the bottom of the freezer and the back of the pantry and seeing what kind of yummies we can find ....and cleaning out space for next month's shopping trip!

SATURDAY:

- (turkey) Polish Sausage Skillet Dish, frozen pops made from home-canned juice
- Oven-fried Chicken Thighs, slaw, beets, canned pineapple
snacks: pickles, banana pudding

SUNDAY:

-Italian Baked Chicken, lima beans, mashed squash (freezer), homemade brownies 
-Beef-n-gelatin gravy over noodles, peas, salad, candy
snacks: Easy Spelt Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Orange Sherbet

MONDAY:

-chili (from leftover), cornbread muffins, leftover cinnamon rolls
-Lemon Pepper Salmon, brown rice, green salad, carrot and fruit salad
snacks: Nana Yogurt Dish, raisins

TUESDAY:

-Salmon loaf, peas and carrots, romaine salad, blueberry-yogurt smoothie
- turkey tacos, black bean salsa, coconut cake
snacks: Crunchy Chick Peas, almonds and raisins

WEDNESDAY:

-Rice Crusted 'Pizza', romaine salad, Garlic Bread Sticks, sour gummy worms
-Butter Beans with (turkey) polish sausage, cornbread, turnip greens, 'natural candy'
snacks: Chicken in a Boat, Applesauce Pudding

THURSDAY:

-Leftover Beans, greens, and fried buttermilk cornbread, Pina Colada Pops
-Balsamic Chicken Thighs, steamed cauliflower with Mock Cheese Sauce,
snacks: Apple Pie Smoothies, Roasted Garlic Almonds

FRIDAY:

-(French) Onion Soup, Braided Swiss Bread, homemade jelly
-chicken, Kicked Up Cabbage,
snacks:Giant Peanut Butter Spelt Cookies, boiled eggs and mustard

Quick Pan-fried Tilapia....

To make this 'quick-fix' meal, all you need is;
-a pan
-fish (tilapia is pictured)
-butter
-Lawry's seasoning or other

Heat butter, toss in the fish, sprinkle lightly with seasoning.
Cook for several minutes until top side is starting to look white, flip.
Cook a couple minutes until white and flaky.

Takes about 10 minutes.

*Served here with simple romaine salad and (leftover)seasoned brown rice.

Lemon Pepper Salmon...

This is almost too easy to mention- what makes it worth it, is the taste- and look how yummy it looks!
Oh and- any fish (or chicken) could be prepared the same way- so easy!

Take several pounds of salmon (or other fish or chicken) and rinse, cut into portion sizes, and place on a lightly buttered pan.

Use 1 lemon and squirt lightly over each piece. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning.
Bake at 425 for 25 to 25 minutes until flakes with a fork.

Super easy and a great way to get picky eaters to LOVE their fish! (Try it with their chicken first and if they like the basic flavor- it will work with fish!! ;-)

Cream Cheese and Cherry Crepes....

This is my kids' favorite way to eat crepes- stuffed with cream cheese filling. (With lots of powdered sugar!)

Cream Cheese Filling:

2 pkgs cream cheese (8oz each)

blend with 2/3 cup sugar

add the zest and juice of half a large lemon

2/3 cup half and half (or heavy cream)

While whipping the cheese, sugar, lemon, gradually add the half and half. Continue to beat with a mixer until mixture is thickened and slightly fluffy. (Will remain somewhat runny.)

CREPES:

2 eggs

pinch salt

1 cup flour (unbleached here)

1 1/3 cup milk

2 T melted butter

Beat eggs well. Add salt and flour and about half the milk.

Beat well until the lumps are out, beat in the butter.

Add remaining milk, beating well to break up any flour lumps.

Cook in very lightly butter pan on low-medium heat. Pour about 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter in the center of the pan and hold the pan up off the eye, and swirl to form circle (while you're pouring). Cook until set, use spatula and fingers to flip.

Cherry Sauce:

4 cups frozen tart cherries

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 T cornstarch

Simmer cherries in water, covered, until softened. (About 5 minutes.)

Mix the sugar and cornstarch well. Add to cherries, stirring until thickened. Allow to cool.

Spoon filling into crepes, roll or fold (like blintzes). Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Spoon on cherries and add a little extra filling over the top if you like.

Yummmmmy!

Tip: I make the crepes during a 'downtime' and store them between waxed paper in the fridge until ready to use. This cuts way down on prep time.

Ricotta Stuffed Crepes with Cherry Sauce-

 I'll start by sharing the recipe for the ricotta filling...mmmmmMMMMmmmm!

The whole time I was making it..I kept muttering..."oh ricotta, mmm...love ricotta". The kids said "what's so good about ricotta?" I said- ''YOU'LL SEE!'' (Ricotta is kinda pricey so its rare that I get it, but I LOVE IT in these! It's wonderful!....So will you- YOU'LL SEE! :)

Ricotta Filling

30 oz container of ricotta

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 t vanilla

pinch salt

1/4 cup half and half (or cream)

1/4 cup semi-sweet choc. chips pulsed in the blended for several seconds (it will chop some and dust others but it's okay...leave some in chunks)

Blend ricotta, sugar, vanilla, salt, half and half, adding choc chips last, stirring just until mixed through. Chill.

Cherry Sauce:

4 cups frozen tart cherries

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 T cornstarch

Simmer cherries in water, covered, until softened. (About 5 minutes.)

Mix the sugar and cornstarch well. Add to cherries, stirring until thickened. Allow to cool.

CREPES:

2 eggs

pinch salt

1 cup flour (unbleached here)

1 1/3 cup milk

2 T melted butter

Beat eggs well. Add salt and flour and about half the milk.

Beat well until the lumps are out, beat in the butter.

Add remaining milk, beating well to break up any flour lumps.
Cook in very lightly butter pan on low-medium heat. Pour about 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter in the center of the pan and hold the pan up off the eye, and swirl to form circle (while you're pouring). Cook until set, use spatula and fingers to flip.
*I made a double batch of them to use for the next day!

Topped with whipped heavy cream-makes them even better!

Tip: I make the crepes during a 'downtime' and store them between waxed paper in the fridge until ready to use. This cuts way down on prep time.

Stretching Ground Meat....

Greetings!... and here's what's Working For Me Wednesday!


Can you see what's in this raw ground beef?

Yes, there's oats and cooked brown rice. I made a huge meatloaf last week (lasted for 2 meals) with 2lbs ground beef, almost 3 cups cooked brown rice, and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of oats. ....No one noticed the super sneaky stretching tactics!...And I got by with cooking ONCE for TWO meals! Yay me! ;-)

But this will work for patties, casseroles, etc. You can also shred various veggies and tuck them in too!

I also used some gelatin, leftover from rendering fat, to make this onion-paprika gravy that was outstandingly yummy!

I told the kids' "The ketchup's for the top and the gravy is for the bottom!" ...So they didn't ask for MORE ketchup...for the middle!

Bean Dips....

I love beans and so does everyone in my family. I think I'm lucky that way! ;-)

When I have enough leftovers, they are a side at the next meal, but when I just have dabs.... oh, I just can't think of throwing them out! Especially if I've soaked them for one day and cooked them for another- and if I've used my precious bone broth in them- NO WAY are they going in the trash!

Well, some types, depending on how soft they've cooked up, can go in the freezer to be tossed in soups or used in 'bean salsa' over salads and as sides.

But, when the beans are already soft, why not just mash 'em all up?!?!
a la bean dip!

You can use any bean for this and add spices, leave plain, or blend in other veggies, sauces, or cheeses.

You can spread them on tortilla chips (which can be made from cut and baked corn tortillas to keep frugal/pantry), dip veggies in, spread in layered casseroles like baked nachos etc, use them in wraps in place in the place of meat topped with cheese and lettuce or whatever you have on hand (quick-fix meal!), use as a side on some lettuce topped with cheese and/or sauce, etc.

You can add leftovers to soups, meatloaves, etc. to stretch and add flavor and fiber.

Above is chili-beans, so they will make a good tortilla chip dip!

But the possibilities are endless as far as using them up, making a quick snack, and not wasting! And again- any bean will work!!!!

Be sure to check out Kitchen Tip Tuesdays for more kitchen tips!

MENU PLAN:

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday! Please see my notes at the bottom about "looping" and once-a-month-shopping tips!

BREAKFAST CHOICES: breakfast sandwiches and pumpkin pancakes from the freezer, Basic Vanilla Granola over homemade strawberry yogurt, Fancy Vanilla Granola and milk, bug oats, etc

SATURDAY:

- BBQ chicken legs, salad, chocolates
- beef and shrimp frugal stir fry over brown rice*, granola
snacks: nuts, grapes

SUNDAY:

-snack lunch: boiled eggs, mustard, carrot sticks, cottage cheese veggie dip, grapes (for kids)
later in the day when we had time, I pan fried leftover fish and reheated rice* for me and dh
-scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, brown rice pudding*, sliced oranges
snacks:  nuts, Cinnamon-raisin muffins

MONDAY:

-white beans* and fat back, cornbread, turnip greens, apple crisp (from orchard apples from the freezer)
-Beefaroni, salad, broccoli , fruit salad
snacks: raspberry cream shakes*, natural peanut butter and crackers

TUESDAY:

-leftover white beans*, cornbread, greens, sour gummy worms
-Maple-Dijon chicken legs, sweet potatoes, green salad, canned pineapples w/raisins
snacks: frozen raspberry ice cream pops (leftover cream shakes above)*, popcorn with butter

WEDNESDAY:

- 15bean soup, cornbread muffins, Honey-Wheat chocolate chip muffins
- Italian baked chicken, lima beans, green salad, hot fudge pudding cake (this rocks!even w/ no extra toppings, but you can serve with ice cream or whipped topping)
snacks: bean patties with hot sauce and cheese, cranberry slushie

THURSDAY:

- Lemon pepper salmon, green salad, slaw*, rugelach
-Dump Chicken Thighs, speckled butter beans, layered salad, Lemon Zest Cookies
snacks: cookies, yogurt berry smoothie topped w/granola

FRIDAY:

-Salmon Loaf, slaw*, green salad, Pumpkin Cake Muffins  (from freezer pumpkin)
-Spaghetti and meatballs, french bread*, homemade ice cream
snacks: toasted homemade bread with peanut butter and/or homemade jelly, carrots and dip

_________________________________________________

*When you see that little mark beside something, it means I'm "looping it".
Looping it, is what I call making enough to have leftovers to use over the next day or two in other meals or snacks.(EX. The brown rice on Saturday was used in 3 meals. French Bread will be made on Friday that will likely be Pizza Bread on Saturday!)
**Notice also, with my once a month shopping that the fresh fruit is running low this last week of the month. But not to despair- this is where the dried fruits and frozen berries will make up for what's not in the fridge! When cranberries went on sale, I bought some for the freezer. Makes great slushies and cranberry sauce. There's also other berries in the freezer, bought in bulk from our Cash-n-Carry, along with apples that I froze when I bought several bushels from the orchard in the fall. In the pantry, there still remains a few home-canned fruits, pears and applesauce, and jellies. -These fill in the gaps when the fresh fruits are gone!  

Basic (Frugal) Vanilla Granola...

4 cups rolled oats
1/2 t salt
1/2 cup cane or brown sugar
1/4 cup oil (I used coconut.)
1/2 cup honey
1 T vanilla

Mix dry ingredients then remaining. Stir very well until thoroughly blended.

Bake at 350 in glass 9x13 for approx. 25 minutes, stirring every five to ten minutes.

Mixture will be golden. Cool away from heat in glass dish, tossing occasionally until thoroughly cooled.
Store in air-tight containers. Stays crispy.

Could add nuts; would be great with raw, sunflower seeds.
Very good for yogurt topping, parfaits, as a snack, or with milk.

Fancy Vanilla Granola...

3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup cane or brown sugar
1/4 t salt
1 T vanilla
3 T oil (I used coconut oil.)
1/2 cup honey

Mix dry ingredients first. Then remaining. Coat the oats well, mashing the sticky lumps of honey and tossing.

Bake on light-colored baking cookie sheet at 325 for 22-25 minutes. Stir every 5 to 10 minutes, spreading back out on the pan so as to bake evenly.

Allow to cool on pan, tossing occasionally as granola cools. Stir in air-tight container.

Stays crispy-chewy.

A wonderful granola- full of sweetness and flavor.
Would be perfect for gift-giving!

The Frugal Turkey!

Crazy name for a post? Yes, I know.

But, looking in my freezer today at my 20lb $10 turkey, I started to brainstorm about the wonders of The Frugal Turkey!

Meat has become VERY expensive lately...'cept for The Frugal Turkey! I'm finding that they are hiding in strange places, cheap!

Do you know how many meals you could get out of one turkey????? Especially for a normal-sized family????
(mom+dad+2 to 3 kids....that is about normal, right?:)

Well, think about it! The Frugal Turkey, weighing in at 20lbs, could feed a family for 7 to 10 days of suppers!! Yes, it would have to be stretched and it wouldn't be meals like Thanksgiving but if you made some casseroles, wraps, soups (boil his carcass dry!-- for yummy, nourishing bone broth!),  and anything else you normally would do with your chicken or even some ground beef dishes, you could really make The Frugal Turkey go far!

Season shredded turkey and toss on a homemade bun, shred more and use sparingly over rice with a gravy made from the drippings or broth, ...and don't forget, you can always pluck The Frugal Turkey's skin off(B4 baking) and render it so as to collect the fat. The fat can be used similar to lard or butter. Its great for sauteing onions and using as a starter for a gravy for the turkey.

But don't stop there in thinking about meals with The Frugal Turkey. Consider your Frugal Veggie Buddies to go with him! Do you know them? Yeah, they're like Mr.Potato Head, Clyde the Cabbage, and Carl the Carrot....oh and sometimes Trent the Turnip is pretty cheap too!

Have I got you considering The Frugal Turkey now? He's a fine, featherless friend....to the frugal kitchen!

Happy Frugal Fridays! Feel free to post more ideas for those of us who invite The Frugal Turkey over several times throughout the year! Oh and - if you're lookin' for the best way to cook The Frugal Turkey, check out Brandy's instructions and she's got some wonderful links on what to cook with him there too!

Isn't he just the cutest?

Wait'il  I get 'im on the table!

What I did with those peppers I strung from the garden..achooo !

You remember me telling you that you could string your peppers and they would dry and turn red all by themselves?

Well here they are!

And this time I ground up a really big batch of them! (In the past it has been small batches in my mini-processor with a nice tight lid. The lid part is important...read on!)

Well, may I suggest, that if you do a big batch of these yourselves, in a big processor with a nice chute that 'gets some air'...that you take it outside to do this?!?!?!?!?

Yes. Got a plug in on the front porch? No? Run an extension cord!
Trust me- it is well-worth the trouble!

I sneezed, I coughed, my eyes flowed with uncontrollable tears and even after I stopped the machine..I had to wait about 45 minutes to enter the kitchen without coughing.....BUT...I did have some fun with the kiddies...you know, just to see if they had the same experience upon entering the kitchen :-)

They had been playing a game downstairs and as soon as they started up the stairway--- coughing!

I said, "Would you guys go in the kitchen and see if you smell anything funny?" (You can't really smell it but your whole respiratory system will KNOW its there!)

Hmm- whaddayaknow? Same experience!

:-)

Nevertheless, if you have a tightly lidded machine- you won't have this trouble (except when you open it, do dump quickly into the Ziploc! And I wouldn't blame you one bit if you did that out on your porch!).

But this adds a nice kick to any Mexican dish, meatloaves, sprinkled across oven-fried chicken, BBQ chicken, even pizza.

Was it worth the trouble? Absolutely! Free seasoning from my own garden- can't beat it!

A little more about our 'mock' Christmas....

At our 'real' Christmas...you can see the kids opening some puzzles here (Dollar Tree)..but their favored gift (also from the Dollar Tree) was what's on their heads! Yeah, the Santa hats were a huge hit with all of them! They played out in the snow with them and even slept in them!

 So for our 'mock' Christmas, the one thing I hoped to have enough to purchase was, yes, another HAT!

(Also from the Dollar Tree!) What do you think the favorite part about the 'mock' Christmas was? Yep, the HATS! I expect they'll be quite broke in by St. Patrick's Day!

The 2nd favorite? 

The Traditional Birthday Cake for Jesus!

Menu Plan...

WELCOME TO MENU PLAN MONDAY!!!

WEEKEND:
If you remember, I told you last week that we were going to have a 'mock' Christmas over the weekend...we did! We had turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, dressing, Bday cake 4 Jesus, pumpkin pies, Brandy's Fudge, and chocolates. We even put up the tree and had frugal presents for the kiddies!


Sunday night we had: Lil' Roasted Chickens w/ veggies, salad, sliced oranges


BREAKFASTS: oatmeal, peanut butter granola, Breakfast Sandwiches, toasted Breakfast Bread and eggs

MONDAY:

-Taco Soup, Buttermilk Cornbread, Apple Crisp

- Oven-fried Chicken Thighs, potato wedges, salad, tomato salad, Sweetheart Cake ?
snacks: Valentine Cookies, Homemade Ice Cream

TUESDAY:

- Beef Stew, Rustic Spelt Rolls, jelly, sliced oranges, leftover cookies
- Lemon-Pepper Salmon, lima beans, salad, leftover cake
snacks: carrots and Cottage Cheese Veggie Dip

WEDNESDAY:

- White Beans w/ ham hocks, cornbread, garden corn, turnip greens, sliced oranges
- BBQ Chicken Legs, Baked Beans, salad, Chocolate Pudding
snacks: grapes, boiled eggs and mustard

THURSDAY:

- Haystacks, Rustic Spelt Rolls, Chocolate-carob Custard
- Meatloaf, layered salad, peas and carrots, Applesauce Pudding
snacks:Cinnamon Rolls and milk, romaine leaves with cream cheese

FRIDAY:

-Chicken Turnip Soup,(from bone broth), Whole wheat Chocolate Chip Bars
-Pizza, on my favorite homemade crust, fruit salad, Honey Bun Cake
snacks: stuffed celery sticks, Kiwi-strawberry Parfait

Gooey-Pie Cookie Bars...

Warning! These are SO good, once you start eating them, you may not be able to stop.

The bottom is similar to a cookie, the middle like pie, and the top is lightly crisp which equals YUMMY!

Great for special occasions!

Preheat oven to 325.
Lightly spray 9x13 baking dish.

For bottom:
Cream 1 stick of butter with 1 cup brown sugar and 1 t salt.
Gradually add 2 cups unbleached flour.
Pat mixture level, into bottom of baking dish.
Bake for 15 minutes.

For filling:
Beat 4 eggs with 2 cups brown sugar until foamy.
Add 1 1/2 t vanilla,
1t baking powder
1/4 cup unbleached flour
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts.

Mix well and spread over baked mixture.
Bake at 350 for 22 to 25 minutes.

Cool. Cut into squares.
(Then you might wanna pass them out quickly so as to not tempt yourself to eat them ALL alone!;)

MENU-

(Breakfast Sandwiches for the freezer, made from Homemade Wheat English Muffins)

 WELCOME TO ANOTHER MENU PLAN MONDAY!

I don't know about you girls but I think this is a great way to start off our week.

Cooking food and having a good plan is no small task!

It is a wonderful way to love and serve our families throughout the week.

Please see my note at the bottom about the crazy surprise for my family this coming weekend!

 BREAKFASTS:

 Breakfast Bread (with added ground flax) with eggs, Whole Wheat English Muffins-breakfast sandwiches from the freezer, Oatmeal, Buttermilk Biscuits and gravy, ..

SATURDAY:

-mini burgers, oven fries, Graham Pudding (vanilla pudding layered with graham crackers)
-Butter Beans with (turkey) Polish Sausage, Buttermilk Cornbread, Turnip greens, yogurt
snacks: sliced oranges and apples, leftover Cream Cheese Bars

SUNDAY:

-Bologna and mustard Sandwiches, grapes, sliced oranges (I normally don't buy this but I was able to get bread for about .75 and bologna for .50, so it's a nice treat)
-Oven-fried Chicken Thighs, leftover butter beans, cornbread, greens, bread and honey
snacks: Buttered popcorn, yogurt topped with granola, cashews

MONDAY:

-Pureed Vegetable Soup, Rye Bread, brownies
- BBQ Chicken Legs, spinach-romaine salad, potato wedges, fried bananas
snacks: chick pea dip with carrot sticks, cottage cheese and home-canned pear juice

TUESDAY:

- Chicken Stew, Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins, leftover brownies
- Meatloaf, slaw, cauliflower with mock cheese sauce, Banana Pudding
snacks: gummy worms, sliced apples and oranges, nuts

WEDNESDAY:

- Lemon Pepper Salmon, slaw, green beans w/onions,
-Beef-n-Leeks, brown rice,Triple Berry Fruit Crisp
snacks: yogurt topped w/vanilla granola, sliced oranges

THURSDAY:

- Spaghetti Pie, French Bread, Chocolate Pudding
- Steak Casserole, Twisted Garlic Bread Sticks, leftover pudding
snacks: Apple Pie Smoothies, orange slices, grapes

FRIDAY:

-Spaghetti Sandwiches from leftovers, slaw, Iced Graham Bites
-*Turkey, dressing, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, lima beans, pumpkin pie
snacks: Giant Peanut Butter Spelt Cookies, sliced apples and oranges

 ___________________________________________

*Dh had the idea, so I can't take full credit. But if you will notice on Friday, I'm planning a big turkey meal...

Well, what we are going to do is have a "mock" Christmas for the kids over the weekend. SHHH! Don't tell 'em! Yes, I know it's completely insane- that's why I LOVE the idea. I'm gonna make enough food on Friday for the whole weekend, put the tree up (insanity), and if the Lord wills we are going to take $10 to the Dollar Tree and buy a couple of cheap presents. We'll pull the games and puzzles back out and play all weekend! Woo hoo! Sound fun? Absolutely!    Now you feel free to 'mock' my 'mock' Christmas too!

Upcoming Product Review ...

CSN Stores has kindly extended me the opportunity to do a product review for their company. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from modern dining room furniture to cute cookware to chic lighting pieces!

You all know my love of coffee and tea, so I couldn't resist clicking through their beautiful carafes and teacups!

My love for books drove me to their unique book shelves that have a beautiful modern flare!

Be watching for my upcoming review of one of their products and feel free to offer me suggestions if you see something you think would be super neato! ;-)

Rosemary Bubble Loaf...

1 1/4 cup warm water
2 t yeast
1 t salt
1 t sugar
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 T fat/oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup dried parsley
1 T rosemary

Dissolve yeast in warm water.
Add salt, sugar, fat, wheat flour, and gradually add the white flour, half a cup at a time until dough needs up soft but not stiff. Add cheese, knead well. Knead in parsley and rosemary.

Allow to rest 10 minutes. Roll out in approx 9x13 rectangle.
Cut uniform pieces with a pizza cutter. Roll up smooth with your hands.
Drop in buttered baking dish. Allow to rise 45 minutes to an hour.
Bake at 375 approx. 35 minutes.
Allow to set 10 minutes before slicing.

This bread is great with Brandy's Butternut Squash Soup, Chicken Soup, and Pureed Vegetable Soup.

(Turkey) Ham and Cheese Braid....

This makes two large braided loaves.

If your family can't eat both at once, they are wonderful cold and/or reheated.

They would pack in a lunch well!

(dd braided this loaf, while I stuffed the other)

I love finding unique ways to make sandwiches!

For this bread, I used Marilyn Moll's recipe, known around here as "Breakfast Bread".

Her recipe allows for a quick, single rise and it's almost fool-proof. Perfect for frugal

and fairly quick 'in a pinch' meals.

Once the dough is kneaded and nice and smooth, divide in half.
 Use a rolling pin to shape each piece into a thin (1 cm.) rectangle.
Place the dough on a large baking sheet after it's rolled out.

Spread your cheese *filling in the center of the dough(s).

 

At an angle, slice the sides of the dough into tabs approximately 1 inch wide.

Alternating from side to side, fold the pieces in over the *filling. When possible, 

gently press on the tabs to seal the folds. After it has been fully folded, glaze 

the braid with egg wash. (1T water with 1 egg white, beaten)

*THE FILLING:

Blend:

2 blocks of cream cheese

1/4 cup Ranch style dressing

1/8 cup prepared mustard

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Spread down the center of rolled out dough.

 

Top with chunky slices of turkey ham**, 

sliced tomatoes, and thinly sliced onions.

Allow to rise approx. 40 minutes at 350.

Allow to set 10 minutes before slicing.

**I used slices from a small Jennie-O turkey ham, as seen here.

*Other cooked meats could be used, even ground beef, turkey, 

shredded chicken, etc Even just cheese and veggies would be good.