Monday, February 9, 2015

Here in New England


This is the view from my front window..........I know, hard to tell were the driveway ends and were the street starts, right? We've been getting a ridiculous amount of snow. Wish it would go up to the mountains but, seems it's vacationing at the coast this year. So what can you do but, make the most of it.First and foremost we make sure we have heat, batteries and candles.......well, we don't really need the candles but, they add a nice touch.Flashlights are a little harsh.Next I checked the fridge to see what I could make that wouldn't require my going out in this weather.
 Yes, there is always a good supply of local eggs and mixed with a bit of slivered onions and chopped olives this will make a great lunch.
I think this will get us through the afternoon. Chips would be nice. Maybe I'll make some. Homemade chips are pretty awesome. Burgers in the freezer so guess what we are having for supper. Well can't chat now I'm off to make those chips and hoping for a break in this snowstorm............said the hobbit

Monday, February 2, 2015

SOMETHING NEW IN THE KITCHEN


Well getting back to the "land of blog" is going to  be a little tougher than I thought. Obviously a  work in progress but, here I am giving it my all.
Of course it's not all my fault...........the weather here on the coastal side of N.H. has been a bit uncooperative.This morning the weatherman said that 3 out of 5 days have been snow days for the school children in this area. So, someone has to be happy over this.But, enough crying.......
While looking for something new to try I came across BIALYS. I'm always drawn to breads and sweets. I guess you can say " It's a blessing ...and a curse. But, this time I gave in and thought,why not, there's nothing in the garden at this time to get my creative juices going so, I'm going with the BIALYS.


The dough is pretty basic: 2CUPS WARM WATER
                                        1 TABLESPOON SUGAR
                                        2 TEASPOONS INSTANT YEAST
                                        4 3/4 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
                                        2 TABLESPOON KOSHER SALT.
Sprinkle sugar and yeast over warm water and let it get foamy. About 5 min. Mix flour with salt. Note: If you don't have Kosher salt and are using table salt.........cut amount in 1/2
Add flour to yeast and mix with bread hook attachment till just blended. Turn onto floured cloth and knead till dough seems smooth,about 1 to 2 min. Turn into a greased bowl and let rise till double. Should be about 1 hour. Took me a bit longer with snowmagedden going on in my neighborhood.






THE FILLING: I took this break and made my filling.
3 TABLESPOONS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
1 LARGE VIDALIA  1/2'D AND SLICED THIN
CRUMBLED BLUE CHEESE (they said 1 tbs poppy seeds,but, I break out in hives with poppy seeds) So you can do either.Saute onions in oil till golden  then sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese

After the first rise, divide dough into 12 pieces ....form into a ball and place on 2 parchment lined sheets. Cover with clear wrap and let rise for another 30 min.Now flatten each ball to a 5 inch disc.Cover and let rise another 15 minutes,grease a flat bottom glass or a 1 cup measuring cup and dip in flour to make indentations in all of your disc.


Fill your disc with the onion mixture and bake at 475 degree for 15 to 20 minutes. Place your sheets on the upper middle and lower middle racks Switch and rotate sheets 1/2 way through baking
And, here is my batch of BIALYS....They were so close to being perfect,but, I wanted them just a bit more golden and popped them back in the oven for a little extra browning. What I got was a little thicker crust. Live and learn. What can I say ? I guess we have to put them back on the list for a remake. They were still edible,just not perfect yet............said the HOBBIT