Cajun sour dough bread

An interesting twist to the traditional white bread. From Breadtopia.com.

Now that the crock that was gifted to me recently sits on the countertop with sourdough starter within, It’s only natural that sourdough recipes are more frequent. I would have never though of these additions to bread but the results were good. Even better would be a grilled cheese made with the bread.

I loosely followed the recipe for Cajun 3 pepper bread.

About 1 cup of the sourdough starter added to the mix.

White flour

1/2 teaspoon smoked pepper flakes

Cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon  pepper blend

1 and 1/2 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt

1 tablespoon  After  Death Hot Sauce

1 tablespoon garlic

1 tablespoon parsley

And yeast of course.

The finished loaf, free formed into a preheated  clay baker.

The additions to the dough…..

The final mix.

With some additional dough left over , several rolls were made.

The recipe suggested a long fermentation, a luxury I did not have it was a double rise within several hours , the dough a bit heavier than usual.

Roasted Lamb shank and veggies.

The weather is cooling somewhat, not the cold blustery wind yet but a good day for a slow roasted lamb shank and veggies to be in the oven while I finished mulching up the leaves in the front yard, run several errands and do the required Sunday routine around the house. 

Nothing exotic here as you probably guessed, fennel sweetened the dish along with the usual veggies.  I don’t get lamb that often so it was a delicious meal to draw to a close the Thankgiving weekend. You may have the Friday after Thankgiving off and when combined with the weekend a longer respite from work than Christmas.

I tried to cut the bone to fit the pan but it just fit after trimming some of the meat from the bone. The rest of it shrank. 

The ingredients are self explanatory.  A small amount of broth was added with light seasonings.

Beef Barley Tomato Soup

Similar to the recipe on the box of Quick Cooking Barley, but made with a soup base my daughter made.The  soup base consists of :

Celery, leeks, onion, garlic, parsley, tomato, potatoes, that had been cooked for 1 and one half hours, processed in a blender and strained. It’s a healthy food recipe called Special Soup or Hippocrates Soup,  it’s a good tasting nourishing soup alone or as utilized as a base for other recipes.

To the soup base, add the following, when completed cooking :

• Beef chuck , diced to small size suitable for soup.
•  Olive oil, bacon fat etc. in the pan. Fry the beef, till almost fully cooked.
• Diced onion, roughly 1/2 as much as the beef.
• Salt, pepper and seasonings to taste.
• One or two medium tomatoes, diced chunky.
• Finish with finely chopped garlic, cook till the ingredients are wilted.

Meanwhile in a oven proof measuring cup, mix a measured amount of quick cooking barley and water as package directs.

Microwave several minutes, drain, and add to soup.

 I needed some greens in the soup for color , my wife suggested some baby spinach . The spinach was added and then seasonings adjusted and grated Parmesan  added for the finish. Everything was warmed through.

(this soup base would also make a good pasta and beans recipe)

A very tasty and nourishing soup a recipe worth repeating.

Soured blueberry corn muffins

A typical corn muffin recipe, instead of  only milk for one of the wet ingredients, the addition of a sour dough starter.

1 cup white flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

Scant 1 cup sour dough starter

1/4 cup Melted butter

1 egg beaten

Milk, as necessary , if batter is too stiff

Added 3.5 ounce bag of dried blueberries

……………………………………..

Standard wet and dry ingredient mix, combine each first then mix together.

 

The sweetness of the blueberries stands  out from the slight sourness of the cornbread.

After shopping, quick bite supper

Sourdough flatbread, fresh ground beef pan fried pattie,  romaine lettuce, cherry tomato, cucumber, sauteed mushrooms.

On a later date  a redo of this recipe.

Fresh ground beef, Hawaiian sea salt and pepper. Pan broiled.

Lettuce and  spinach….

Add burger, cucumber, mayo, ketchup, bacon, caramelised onion, parsley.

The flatbread was a bit tough, all in all a good meal. 

Single skillet maple French toast

Two slices of bread sized to the pan, one beaten egg combined with milk and cream accented with maple syrup. Salt and pepper blend to taste. 

Pour over buttered preheated skillet, bread slices , medium heat with a broiler finish.

Drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Coffee beverage.

Shopping

Recent shopping, 11/10/16

Providence , Red Fin Crudo

Tapas, small portions to pass around your table, along with a glass of wine, or cocktail. The menu, a short four page listing, additions from the web posted version, back of the house seating is close to the kitchen so your food won’t be left waiting.

The Red Fin website and Yelp reviews showcases much of the food, but of course tasting the dishes is believing.

A change from the traditional restaurant fare for me.

Sangria 
Beef Turnovers

Spanish Octopus

Chicken Wings

Paella du Huerto

Tastings I don’t usually, have seating close to the kitchen, with a few family members, a celebratory meal. Impressive.

Thanks everyone !