Nubs the Dog

Today I read the amazing story of Nubs the dog. I don't want to ruin the story but it was wonderful. A dogs love and devotion can be found from here to Iraq. I finished the story with a tear in my eye for all dogs that need an owner to love.

The amazing story of Nubs the dog.

Chai Shortbread

11/2 C all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash of ground cloves
Dash of fresh ground black pepper
3/4 C powdered sugar
1 egg
10 T butter, softened
1 T ice water

1. Mix flour and spices together with a whisk in a small bowl.
2. Beat egg and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture an mix until crumbly. Sprinkle dough with 1T of ice water, toss with a fork. Divide dough in half, shape into a tube, wrap,  and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375.
5. Unwrap dough logs. Carefully cut into slices bake on a lightly oiled baking sheet for 10 minutes. Cool.

Cheese Ravioli

WOW! this one turned out to be delicious. It takes some time but it well worth it in the end. I used a recipie I found on food tv and changed it a bit. You can serve the ravioli with any sauce you like.

Ravioli Dough
4 eggs
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C water
Ricotta cheese filling (see below)

Mix 4 eggs into a large bowl and add the flour a cup at a time. Add the water and mix. When it becomes difficult to mix knead the dough on a floured surface. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic and smooth.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.

Cut the dough in half, cover the reserve with plastic wrap. Roll out the dough. I do it by hand with a rolling pin and cut into small pieces as I go but if you have a pasta machine you can use that instead. When I have rolled out 2 little squares I place a heaping teaspoon of filling in the middle of one square and top it with the other.

To ensure that they stick together put a little olive oil on my finger and very lightly oil the inside edge of one square. Push out the air with your fingers and use a fork to seal together.

Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Gently remove from the water when done and top with your favorite pasta sauce and grated cheese. I like to eat them with just butter, simple and delicious.

Ricotta Cheese Filling
1 C ricotta cheese, well drained
1/2 C shredded mozarella cheese
1/2 C shredded parmesean cheese
1 egg
salt and pepper
Parsley flakes
Mix all of the ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator for a few minutes to allow the filling to firm up.

Knitting Problem?

Love it :-)

English Muffin Bread

This might be the easiest bread I have ever made. It requires no kneading and rises only once. It makes excellent toast with butter and jelly if you like. I highly recommend this recipe.

Cornmeal

6 C all-purpose flour

2 packages active dry yeast

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2 C milk

1/2 C water

1 T sugar

1 tsp. salt

1. Greast 2 8x4x2 in loaf pans. Lightly sprinkly pans with enough cornmeal to coat bottom and sides, set pans aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine 3 C of the flour, yeast, and baking soda; set aside.

3. In a medium saucepan heat and stir milk, water, sugar, and salt just until warm ( 120-130 F). Using a wooden spoon, stir milk mixture into flour mixture. Stir in remainin gflour.

4. Divide dough in half. Put dough in prepared pans. Sprinkle tops with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

5. Bake in 400 F oven about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove bread from pans. Cool on wire racks.

Faschnacts

This recipe if from my great-grannie Krause She lived to be 90 and I can remember enjoying her donuts as a little girl.
I used a large glass and the top from an oil bottle to cut out the donut shapes. I did make a few without holes and they turned out very good. For my first attempt I cut the recipe in half.

2C milk
1C sugar
1/2 C shortening
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 C mashed potatoes
1 1/2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 C warm water
3 eggs
8C flour

1. Scald milk and mix milk, sugar, shortening, salt, and potatoes. Stir and set aside to cool to lukewarm.

2. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 C warm water and let stand about 5 minutes.

3. Add yeast to potatoe mixture and then add mixed eggs.

4. Add flour slowly and mix.

5. Put into greased bowl and let rise until it doubles.

6. Punch down and roll out into 1/4 in. thickness. Cut into donuts and lay out on a floured surface. Allow to rise again until doubled.

7. Fry donuts in 1 1/2 in. shortening (375 F)

8. Remove from pan and allow to cool on wire racks or paper towels.

Ty rules playland. He had such a good time at the playland at Chick Filet. It was a good day!

Little stinker