Sunday, August 17, 2008

friends, friends, friends...

A really randon pic of friends, family, cousin and girl we just met- posing for a team basketball picture in the living room :)
Lovely Hershey gals reuniting at Liberty Park in SLC
Jill, Micki, Caroline, and Me

Aimee and little Liza- my college roomie and best friend when I moved to Utah in high school
My Family at the PF celebrating some summer birthdays!
The Francis Ladies (minus Amanda who happened to get married that day)
My long lost friends from Pullman at our 10-year Reunion- love you girls!
Kelly, Brandy, Me, Evie, Beth and Heather

Saturday, August 2, 2008

if I was having a bake sale...

I would make these items because I have made and eaten them this week and I thought they were TASTY!!



Sugar Cookies- Raegan Kritzer’s Mom’s Recipe

3 ¼ Cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ Cup softened butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 egg
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
½ Cup thick sour cream (as in not low-fat!)

Mix all ingredients together, roll out into shapes and bake at 350º for 8-10 minutes.
It’s that easy and they are yummy!!








Zucchini Bread from Jean Francis


Beat Together:

3 eggs

1 Cup. Oil

3 tsp. vanilla

2 Cups Sugar

2 Cups grated zucchini

Add:

3 Cups Flour

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 Cup. chopped nuts

Grease and flour loaf pans. Bake at 350. Larger loaf pan- 1 hour, Medium loaf pan- 45 min Small pan- 35 min. I usually add chocolate chips and this time I did chocolate chips and walnuts together and it was pretty tasty! I usally make mini loafs too that bake for about 15-20 min.


French Bread- Maurico Salan (an awesome Missionary here in New York and an excellent baker)

3 1/2 Cups Bread flour (King Arthur is a great one!)
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. of active dry yeast (not quick rise)
1 ¼ Cups of luke warm water
Oil (preferably canola)

Instructions:
Mix the luke warm water with the yeast and put it in a bowl that already has the sugar, salt, and flour. With your hands start mixing all the ingredients, except the oil, mix until it becomes consistent dough. Pull out the dough from the bowl and begin kneading, knead from 15-20 minutes straight, then shape the dough in to a ball and et it rise for 30 minutes with a damp cloth on top of the dough for more effective rising.

When done rising, cut the dough in half and with a roller, roll out all the air in a forward and backward motion, so you have a stretched oval shaped piece of flat dough. When done rolling, grab one end and roll it until the whole piece of dough is rolled up.

Seal both ends of dough, and repeat the same procedure eith the other half of the dough. Put them together in a greased pan (grease with butter) and with a brush gently cover the two baguettes with the oil, let it rise with the damp cloth again for another 30 minutes after putting the oil on the bread. After 20 minutes preheat the oven.

Preheat the oven to 350º. After preheating the oven, make three slices on the baguettes, put the baguettes in the oven for 30 minutes. When done baking ENJOY!

Glaze for the French Bread (optional)

Ingredients:
- 1 egg white
- 1 TBSP. water

The Glaze is something I highly recommend, because is not only adds to the presentation, but it also adds to the flavor.

Instructions:
Mix the water and egg white, right before you put the baguettes into the oven, brush each baguette with a little bit of the glaze and then put the baguettes into the oven. When the baguettes have been in the oven for 20 minutes, pull them out and brush in the rest of the glaze on both baguettes evenly, when you are done applying the glaze, put the baguettes in the oven for another 10 minutes. When done baking, ENJOY!





PIZZA DOUGH III- Phyllis from allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar


DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine. Beat well until a stiff dough has formed. Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape. Cover with your favorite sauce and toppings and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes

I used 3/4 cup water and added garlic salt and thyme and it was great- the kids and their friends all ate about 3 pieces and wanted more :) I just topped it with jar pasta sauce and fresh mozzarella and wha-la!

Medical School Graduation

Medical School Graduation
May 20, 2007 Hershey, PA