Duinkerken Bread

I can't tell you how amazing this bread is.  While I was in NYC, we made this mix at my friend's house, and it was better than any eating out we'd done. 

What I mean to say, is that my friend made it.  I provided some moral support, of course.  And an appetite.  At first, it seemed like a bother to me that the directions require you to beat 2 egg whites.  I mean, who beats egg whites in recipes anymore? 

I'll tell you who.  The people who work hard because they want to eat some super-awesome gluten free bread, that's who!

Check this out:

Looks like bread to me.  Tastes like bread to me.  In fact, the best gluten free bread I've ever had.

Actually, I think the beaten egg whites make all the difference.  The ingredients do not contain any dairy, nor do the directions advise adding any.  Therefore, I have decided to take the leap of also going dairy-free.  (I have been holding out on this because my previous favorite, the Gluten Free Pantry Bread Mix, contains dry milk).

So I ordered a whole case of the stuff (that's 6).  It's not on Amazon, but my friend Jen found it on buy the case: http://www.buythecase.net/products/index.php?page_function=search&keyword=duinkerken&x=0&y=0

So yesterday I tried it in the bread machine.  I put the warm water in the machine with the yeast, then beat the egg whites, then added all the ingredients and mixed.  It went pretty well.  I also put the 2nd (not used in the recipe) egg yolk on top for a crusty top.

So here's what it looked like out of the bread machine:

Success!  Guys, you have to try this one!

Cheenies

This is a fun snack-y product that you might enjoy trying.

I'm talking about Cheenies Cheese Bite Rolls. "One bite - that's all it takes...and you'll understand why Cheenies have been the favorite snack in Brazil for the last 100 years."

I got this box over at Harris Teeter. I don't know how available the product is, I had never seen it before.

They're small rolls made mostly of tapioca starch. Ingredients: Tapioca Starch, Imported Parmesan Cheese, Homogenized Whole Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Whole Milk, Water and Salt.

The box has about 20 rolls that are pre-frozen, unbaked. You just set them out on a cookie sheet and bake them about 30 minutes.

The come out of the oven piping hot! Crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. I think they are wonderful. MMM.

I recommend you try them out. They're so easy, and taste amazing. You can eat them with soup, as dinner rolls, or just a snack by themselves. I just had some for breakfast. A great, versatile little food!

Tomato Basil Parmesan Bread

Hi!

I'm trying to catch up my entries on here. This was a quick and easy loaf of delicious bread that I made a while back.

I've settled into a routine of using the 365 Sandwich Bread or Gluten Free Pantry Sandwich Bread mixes in my bread machine. So now that I trust these mixes and know they are always reliable, I've been pushing the envelope.

Ta-dah!

Anyway, all you need for this sensational loaf is this:

• one 365 Sandwich Bread Mix
• a large handful of fresh basil from your garden, chopped
• one medium/large tomato
• about a cup of parmesan cheese
• a bread machine. (or else, some real guts to bake bread the old fashioned way, and I say good for you if you do!)
  

How to do it:

• chop the basil
• slice the tomato, and discard the seeds. Rinse. Dry the slices. Then dice into pieces. (it's important to make sure it doesn't add too much extra water, so this is an important step)

• Add the mix to the bread machine
• Start the bake cycle
• On the first knead, once the batter is mixed well, add the tomato, basil and half of the parmesan cheese
• if needed, help the machine mix the ingredients well

• Once the knead cycles complete, and the bread is ready to rise, sprinkle the rest of the parmesan cheese on top.
• close the lid and leave it alone the rest of the cycle.
  

Voila, a homemade masterpiece. Fresh bread always tastes the best!

Underground tip: Because of the water in the tomato, I use about 1/4 cup less water that is called for in the mix's recipe. This worked superbly.

New bread experiment (Onion Dill Bread)

Direct from Breadman (my bread machine), I present to you: Onion Dill Bread!


Made from 365 Sandwich Bread Mix, Dill (fresh from outside), and a small chopped onion!

Taste: GREAT!

Texture: Like BREAD!

Difficulty: EASY!


I think next time I go to an Italian Restaurant I'll take some of this along to dip in the bread oil.


Here's a close-up of the texture. Next time, I will add much more Dill. Much more.

Grilled Cheese (with Bread Machine Bread)

Ingredients:

• 2 slices sandwich bread
• 1-2 slices cheese (I like American!)
• butter

Butter one side of a bread slice. Place face down in skillet or on griddle. Put a slice of cheese on the bread. Put a buttered slice on top of the cheese. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides.

But you already knew that.

Mmm...delicious. Tomato soup, anyone?

Bread, from the Bread Machine

I still have yet to develop my own recipe for the bread machine. It's really a challenge! (But I'll keep trying and let you know...)

But here's a loaf I made today with the 365 Gluten Free Sandwich Bread Mix. (That's the Whole Foods store brand). It's almost the same mix as the Gluten Free Pantry Sandwich Bread Mix. They are the only two mixes that I have had any success with. And they both ALWAYS come out right.

Hello, Sandwich!