No-Knead Bread

 I used to think that artisan-style homemade bread was too difficult for me to tackle.

Until I tried this recipe for "No-Knead" Bread.

I was hooked on the name, because kneading is hard and time-consuming.  I decided to try this method of making bread that was simple, and effective!

Look at this beautiful loaf!

I promise you, this is simple!!  Much easier than I ever thought baking bread could be!

I prepare the dough in the afternoon, between 3-5 pm.

Start with 3 1/4 cups AP Flour in a bowl w/lid.

Add 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp dry yeast and stir.

Then add 1 1/2 cups water, stir to mix.  The dough will be sticky and "wettish."  That's normal.

Put the lid on and let it sit on the counter overnight!

The next morning it will look like this:

 

Magically while you were sleeping, the gluten was working and growing to make this wonderful dough ready-to-bake!

Next, put a Dutch Oven with Lid in the oven, and set it to 450 degrees.  Make sure your Dutch Oven and Lid heat up with the oven.  

Mine is a 4-5 quart, heavy cast-iron.  You can see the measurements.

While the oven is heating, turn the (sticky) dough onto a floured surface and pull the outer edges into the middle.  You're NOT kneading, just shaping the flour into a ball.

When it's rounded, place the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper, and wait for the Dutch Oven to heat completely.

When the oven reaches 450 degrees, CAREFULLY take out the Dutch Oven and place the dough/parchment into it. Then put it back into the oven, cover, and set your timer for 30 minutes.

Don't lift the lid to peek!  It creates its own moisture in there which makes the crunchy crust on the bread!

After 30 minutes, remove the lid.

Set your timer for 8 minutes.

Look at that crust!!!!

My loaves are done after 8 minutes uncovered.

Yours may need a couple more minutes to brown completely.

Carefully, take out the Dutch oven and remove the loaf to cool on a rack.

These loaves are beautifully soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside.  They slice nicely for toast or sandwiches.  You can add seeds, nuts, raisins, or other ingredients.

I love making a loaf to bring as a gift to special people!

Let me know if you try this and how it turns out!

Homemade Chicken Soup

 Even though it's Springtime, we've been having lots of cold and windy days.  I made a big pot of this soup recently.  It is so good for the soul and the body!

I bought a small chicken, around 5 lbs and put it in a big pot of water.  I put the flame on high and waited for it to boil.

I also use my crock pot on low for 8 hours to cook the chicken.  The results are the same to get wonderful broth!

While waiting, I chopped 2 medium yellow onions and scrubbed 8 carrots and a head of celery. 

I quartered the carrots lengthwise try to make the cuts as even as possible.

I cut the celery stalks in half lengthwise and chopped.

Once the chicken came to a boil, I lowered the heat and let it boil for 1 to 1.5 hours until the meat was falling apart.

Then I removed the chicken to a platter to cool.

I added my onions to the chicken broth first to boil for about 15 minutes because I like them soft, not crunchy.  I also added 1 teaspoon of salt and some granules of chicken bouillon to taste.

Then I added the carrots and celery.  Once they came to a full boil, I let them go for about 5 minutes before turning off the heat.

Once the meat was cooled, I pulled the meat off the bones.

Then I added the pulled meat to the pot.

We like Basmati rice with our soup, but pastina, orzo, or other small pastas are great too.

Look at this beautiful bowl!!  There's nothing like a bowl of steaming homemade chicken soup on a cold day!

Let me know how yours turns out!

Tried and True Homemade Laundry Detergent

 I've been making my own laundry detergent for over 10 years.  I only wish I had known about this when my boys were little.  Their clothes and cloth diapers (yes, I used them!) would have been so much cleaner!

I found this recipe from Mary Hunt at EC and it's been a staple in our home ever since.  One batch lasts a long time because you only need 2 tablespoons per load.

I pair this with white vinegar as a rinse agent, NO fabric softener needed.  My clothes are clean and soft, no soap residue or waxy build-up.

Ready to give it a try? Here are the 3 ingredients:

These can be found at Wal-Mart, and some grocery stores.

First I measure 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Super Washing Soda into a large bowl.

Next I cut the Fels-Naptha soap into 1-inch cubes.

I put them into a small food processor.

I process until the soap is in granules or powder.

Hint: The dryer/older the soap is, the better it breaks down!

Add it to the bowl and mix.  You're ready for the cleanest, softest clothes ever!

I store mine in a plastic container with a lid.

Use 2 tablespoons per load, no more!

It doesn't make bubbles, but it pulls the dirt out of clothes well!

Let me know how you like it!

First Sign of Spring 2025

 It's been a long, cold, windy, snowy winter.

I've been walking around my yard picking up debris, pulling a few dead branches, and looking for signs of life in my beds.

The other day I saw my first bloom!

I think this is a Chiondoxa, one of the earliest spring bloomers.  I don't remember when I planted these bulbs decades ago.  But now they have spread all over my beds, even in the driveway! 

I love how they trumpet the arrival of warmer temperatures and promises of the outdoor activities that I enjoy!

The common name for this beauty is 

"glory in the snow!"

Isn't that lovely??

Isaiah 35 says of the future glory of Zion 

"The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.  Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing with joy!"

So now I'm looking out my windows and around the yard for any other signs of spring life.  Look what popped up shortly afterward!

These little sweeties never disappoint.

I love how God uses His beautiful creation to bolster my heart with courage for the future!  

Let me know what's popping up in your yard!