Bread....

I'm not sure if there is a better smell in the world than the smell of baking bread coming out of the oven. Seriously they should make an air freshener that smells like freshly baked bread. It would be a hit....really.....someone should try it.

I have tried many bread recipes in the past. I recently got a bread machine on Freecycle unfortunetly it does not work so well but hey it was free and actually I will probably end up getting rid of it. I love bread, I'm addicted to bread, I love all kinds of bread from white to rye bread but there are few recipes that have worked for me. I recently came across this recipe and I simply could not wait to try it. Just looked delicious and pretty simple to make. Today I finally found the energy and extra time to make it.

It's absolutely delicious and BY FAR the BEST bread I have ever made. This is one of those recipes that will definetly be used over and over in our house. Between the kids, myself and my husband the 1st loaf is almost gone. Try it.....try it soon.

WHITE BREAD (makes 2 loaves)
adapted from A Foodie Stays Fit

Add the following ingredients to Bosch or large mixer and mix for 2 minutes.

• 1.5 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2.5 cups bread flour
• 3 cups quite warm water

Then add:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 .5 tablespoons salt

Mix for 4 more minutes.
Then start to add more bread flour, 1 cup at a time, usually 4-5 cups more.
Mix for 5 more minutes. The dough should clean the bowl and feel a little stiff.
Turn the dough out onto the counter and knead for a couple of minutes by hand until a ball forms.
Place into a large greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled, 45-90 minutes.
Form into 2 loaves and place in greased pans. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until they are barely above the top of the pan, around 30 minutes.
Bake at ~350 degrees for about 33 minutes.

Award....

I was honored with this blog award by Melissa.  Thank you so much I am very honored and very excited to receive this award.

There are a couple of conditions for the award:  You have been TAGGED and want to participate? Then create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image. You should also blog the persons link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award.You can then choose 3 - 5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then each blogger will inform you that they have been tagged.

Please note: The aim of this action is that we bring unknown, good blogs to light, so I was asked not to blog fellow bloggers that already have 3,000 followers. Again, I am not adding this requirement for those I'm passing the award on to; that choice is up to the recipients.

Now the hard part is choosing who to pass along the award to. I love followers, so I think this award is a nice way of creating visibility to some of us who are followed less and/or just starting out.

Here are some of my favorite ones I visit:

One Income Family
Buns in my Oven
Belleau Kitchen

Thank you again Melissa for this award! Join in the fun everyone!!!

SO much for that....

Life has just been going by way too quick these days. So much for my plan to post one recipe a day till I get caught up. I just can't seem to keep up with things. Some of you may be wondering what I have been up to well to those of you that do not know I am a mommy of two little boys 4 and 2 and I have been super busy baking just a little different kind of baking. For the last 7 months I have had a little bun in my oven coking and making me tired and for the most part miserable!!

I am now just about 29 weeks along and ALMOST done :) Can;t wait to meet the little bun that's been cooking and give all of you who have not given up on me just yet a proper introduction.

Now for one of my FAVORITE new recipes. I am sorry I do not have a very good picture, like I said picture taking has not been a very high priority or presentation for that matter but do not let that mislead you into thinking that these are not delicious because ohh me or my they were. I got the recipe from The Girl Who ate Everything and she does have some fabulous pictures so do check her site out! This dish was absolutely fantastic and the whole family loved it. It's perfect for company and not too much of a fuss to make also easy to make ahead which is always a plus with 2 little toddlers at my feet most of the time. I did do a few things a little differantly so check out my notes.

Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells

1 (12-ounce) box uncooked jumbo pasta shells (if all of yours survive the boil this is enough, to be safe you may want 1 1/2 boxes)

2 cups chopped cooked chicken (I always pre bake a few chickens breasts on the bone and use the shredded chicken for a few different recipes in a row it's a great time saver)

2 cups fresh chopped spinach ( I used a frozen 10 oz box thawed and drained)

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15oz) container ricotta cheese

2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened (I only used one and it was PLENTY)

1 (5oz) package shredded Parmesan cheese (about 1 2/3 cups)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes ( I used fresh)
1 Tbsp dry basil (this was not in the original recipe, I would use fresh if I had it on hand)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (26oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce (this was just enough. If you like it saucier use more)

1. Cook shells according to package directions. Be careful not to overcook them or they will tear easily when trying to fill them. Drain and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease two 9x13 baking dishes.

3. In a large bowl, combine chicken and all the rest of the ingredients except mozzarella and spaghetti sauce. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella. Spoon into shells.

4. Spread half of spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dishes. Arrange shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. If you are freezing one of the 9x13 prepared pans, freeze it after this step. Include a baggy of the remaining mozzarella for when you cook it.

5. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Secret Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies and a come back to food blogging.....

As promised HERE I will make my comeback to food blogging by posting one of my favorite cookie recipes. I forgot how delicious these were. My husband who seems to like only one type of cookie my chocolate chip recipe also thinks that these are scrumptious. They are also a winner with the kids.

Secret Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup rolled oats, regular or quick
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups chocolate chips ( I only used 1 cup I like to taste the cookie and not just chocolate)
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Place rolled oats in blender or food processor and process until finely ground. Combine ground oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

2. In another bowl, cream butter, sugars, vanilla and lemon juice together using an electric mixer. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.

3. Stir the flour mixture into egg mixture, blending well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix well.  Using 1/4 cup of dough for each cookie, scoop round balls with an ice cream scoop and place 2 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. ( I like to make my cookies little so I used a small ice cream scoop and cut the baking time to 10 min)

4. Bake until cookies are lightly browned 16-18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a sealed container to keep them soft and chewy.

 They are very addictive!!! Enjoy!!!