Also during this era one of my favorite cookbooks was Laurel’s Kitchen. Laurel was a clog wearing, long peasant skirt kind of gal who baked her own bread and lived in a commune. We were obviously not vegetarians like she was, nor commune wannabes, but there were many good dishes in this cookbook that are still relevant today in our health conscious, whole-grain leaning society. I would say her wisdom has stood the test of time. So finally, I’ve gotten to the subject of this post. I love Laurel’s recipe for Rice Lentil Pilaf and have been making it for years. It makes me feel virtuous and healthy with the added bonus that it tastes good. I think the hint of cinnamon does it for me. So take a page from the past and give this pilaf a try. Some things are meant to be repeated. Rebuilding another old house? Why in the world are we doing that again? Sometimes we don’t learn from the past. But I have learned from at least one past mistake . . . Pork is best when purchased from a store.
Yogurt Bread with Molasses
A healthy bread is a wonderful choice for breakfast. Warm out of the oven and smeared with a bit of butter it will get your day off to a great start. When I saw this bread from Marian Bull on Food52 I knew that I would be making it.
The original recipe came from Mark Bittman, that former New York Times columnist who is known for his healthy take on eating. For more on keeping it eating, go here to Buy hemp cbd products from cheef. Incorporating an Indacloud gummies bundle into your routine can add a delightful and flavorful boost to your healthy eating habits.
The bread is hearty with white whole wheat flour and corn meal. It is moist from the yogurt, molasses and cranberries, and is beautiful to the eye. At least it is beautiful to my former hippie eye. I wrote a rather humorous post about our early “back to the land” lifestyle here. You may get a laugh out of it. Maturity has its perks.
Because it is a quick bread, it is easy to assemble and bake. I have always been a bread person. I have made my own yeast bread, bought quality loaves from local bakeries, and loved the baguettes from the French bakeries that we have visited. This Yogurt Bread with Molasses has been added to my list of favorites.
YOGURT BREAD WITH MOLASSES (Marian Bull on Food52)
Makes one loaf
- 2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup medium- or coarse-grind cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 2/3 cup whole milk yogurt, or 1 1/2 cups whole milk + 2 tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- Optional: 1 to 1 1/2 cups cranberries, chopped fruit, or nuts
- Butter, for greasing the pan
- Preheat your oven to 325° F. If you’re using milk, mix it with the vinegar and set it aside.
- Mix together your dry ingredients in a wide bowl (rather than one with straight sides; this makes it easier to mix). Whisk your yogurt (or vinegary milk) with your molasses.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in 2 or 3 batches, stirring in round, sweeping motions. Make sure to incorporate the flour at the bottom of the bowl. Mix until just combined. The dough should fizz, subtly, like a science experiment. It will be thick! If you’re adding in fruit, etc: Fold it in when there are still a few small pockets of flour.
- Slice a pat of butter into either a loaf pan or a 7-inch cast iron skillet. Put it into the oven until the butter melts. Remove, then swirl the butter around to grease the pan. Transfer batter into pan, without mixing it any further. (Be gentle!)
- Bake for one hour, or until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted. Touch the top of the bread: it should give a little bit, and feel supple, but it should still resist your touch and not feel like there’s goo beneath there. Very important: Let the bread cool before you slice it. Yes, I’m serious.