Monday 23 November 2015

Zucchini Lasagne made from Garden next door.

 When we left the lake in September we were lucky enough to take with us a number of the Pilling (Janet & Glen) zucchini; really extra large zucchini. I still had one left today so I made zucchini lasagne. My third try. First time too runny. Second time not spicy enough.

Peel zucchini, slice it and lay it on towels. Then take salt and salt it. The salt will take the moisture out of it. If you leave out this step, your lasagne will be extra runny and not so tasty. Found this out by experience.
You can see the water coming from the zucchini in just five minutes or so. Wipe the moisture from the zucchini with paper towels or more kitchen towels. Then turn zucchini over and salt it again. This does not make the dish too salty. I was surprised myself. Keep wiping away the moisture on the zucchini.

I used ground turkey for my meat. Use any recipe making sure the sauce is very thick. The point is, use zucchini from the garden next door.


Such delicious lasagne. Third time perfect.






Saturday 21 November 2015

Chewy, Crunchy 9-grain Bread

Chewy, Crunchy 9-grain Bread

Author: Amy from vomitingchicken.com
Recipe type: whole-grain bread par excellence

Prep time:  1 hour
Cook time:  30 mins
Total time:  1 hour 30 mins

Serves: lots!

The 9-grain mix that I use in this recipe is my own invention, and is actually a mixture of many kinds of seeds and grains, and it changes from time to time. So feel free to mix your own, according to your tastes, if you like!
Ingredients
   First, for the 9-grain mix, stir together:
   2 cups rolled oats
   2 cups cornmeal
   1 cup millet
   1 cup raw sunflower seeds
   ½ cup poppyseeds
   2 cups wheat bran
   2 cups flax seeds, crushed (in blender)
   2 cups white sesame seeds
   2 cups rye flour
   And now for the bread:
   3 cups of (above) 9-grain mix
   4 cups whole wheat flour (I use white wheat)
   4 cups unbleached flour
   2 tablespoons yeast
   5 cups warm water
   ⅓ cup olive oil
   ⅓ cup molasses or raw honey
   1 Tablespoon salt

Instructions
1  First, mix together well the nine grains listed. You'll store whatever you don't use today in your freezer. Yes, you will. Now don't argue. You don't want those seeds to go rancid, do you? You don't want me to smack you, do you? ;)
2  Then, mix 3 cups of 9-grain mix and 4 cups whole wheat flour, yeast, and water, and mix for 1 minute, in a mixer bowl equipped with a kneading arm.
3  Turn off mixer, cover bowl, and let dough sponge for 10 minutes.
4  Add oil, honey and salt. Mix well.
5  Add unbleached flour 1 cup at a time, while your mixer is running, until dough cleans the side of the bowl.
6  Knead 5 minutes with mixer. Or, knead by hand if you prefer. Get yourself a cup of coffee, say, or read the front page of the paper while your mixer does the work.
7  Lightly oil hands. Shape into 4 large loaves, and put into greased loaf pans, sprinkled with your 9-grain mix.
8  Let rise until double, about 30 to 40 minutes.
9  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
10           Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown and firm on the sides and bottom.
11           Remove from pans and cool on racks.