Fermented Cooking.

Two days ago I was watching the Cooking Network (Canada's) and Micheal Smith taught me how to make a French Cabatta. I decided to give it a go and to make Jamie Oliver's (Naked Chef) Guiness stew to go along with it. The stew, I have made a few times and knew it would be yummy. The bread, however, was new for me. I am happy to report it is a lot like La Baughette's (Favorite french bakery that is no longer here). I thought I would share the recipes. Be aware, you have to start the bread almost 24 hours before you want to serve it.

Bread

3 cups white flour
1/4 tsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 5/8 cups water.

Just stir until well mixed. Cover and put away for 18 hours. After the 18 hours, punch down and place on a heap of flour on a non stick cooking sheet, or wax paper, or anything non-sticky that you can lift up. Add lots of flour over the top and cover with a towel. It will stick to the towel so I really mean it, LOTS OF FLOUR! Let rise again on this non-stick surface for 2 hours. About a half hour before it is done rising the second time, heat the oven to 450 f degrees. Place a pot into the oven with the lid on. Heat this pan and lid to 450 degrees. Take the pan out of the oven and put 1/4 cup flour on the bottom of the pan and then immmediately put the bread into it. (Try to do it gently so that it does not collapse). Decrease oven to 350 F degrees. Bake at the bread, in the pot, at 350 F degrees for 20 minutes (with the lid on). Then take the lid off and continue to cook for 20 min. Take it out and eat it hot with lots of butter. Yummy!


Stew

1 Onion
3 stocks celery chopped
1/4 cup butter chopped
3-4 carrots chopped
3 medium potatos chopped
1 1/2 pound beef (stew meat or something better)
1 can of Guiness Beer
1 cup muchrooms chopped
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup ketchup

Carmelize onion and celery in butter, add mushroons and meat. Brown the meat. Add flour. Stir. Add beer, potatos, carrots, rosemary, bay leaf and ketchup. Top with water. Simmer until desired tenderness. Mix in cheese and stir until incorporated.

This stew is one of Cameron's favorites. The kids....NOT SO MUCH. They like the bread though.

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring Has Sprung! The feeling of Spring is in the air at the Reimers' house. All the ususal signs are showing themselves; Cameron is out purchasing new vehicles albeit, this time the choice is much less practicle but, very pretty. The man bought a cherry red, convertable, two door jeep. He deserves every frivolous inch of it!

Along with Cameron's need to buy motorized transportation other signs of Spring are showing; the business line is beginning to ring, interupting our lingering morning tea time. And, he is leaving home a bit more often day by day. I accept these changes with some hesitation but, I must admit there is a little skip in my step as well. Spring activites are underway and I have a new energy that always comes with the arrival of Spring.

Yesturday, the kids and I dragged the bikes out from under the shop leanto, loaded them up into the van and drove to the Arbor Vitea Airport to take our first ride of Spring.( It was not as wonderful as we'd hoped as the stray dog, gusting wind and flat bike tires put a bit of a damper on the whole thing but, we did it by golly!) Also, preparations for our annual Easter party are underway. I am buying Easter themed items including light pink Easter dresses for the girls, Easter tatoos, toys, and candy for the plastic eggs used in the egg hunt. I am also planning the menu and cracking all my eggs from the top so I can save them for the confetti eggs (my favorite part about the party).

Yes, Spring is here! The changing seasons are such a blessing from God. Life can never be dull when, just around the corner, a new season is beginning and along with it, all the usual fun activities. Thank-you Lord for the blessing of Spring.

Easter Brunch Menu

Cinnamon Rolls
Sausage Egg Dish
Fruit Platter with Dip
Artichoke Dip with Crispy Crackers
Scalloped Potatos
Rice Crispy Nests
Grandma's Cookies with Frosting

Recipes and Photos coming soon!

My First Blog.

Well, Here I am, the very place I said I would never go; Blog World. "Never say never!" When will I learn that? Why am I here? Well, my dear friend Heather, who has become a blog junkie (I love you Heather!), kept talking about how much fun she is having. And she uses it to keep a record of her family's daily life. That thought stuck with me. I decided to go for it and use it as a modern day journal to share with my family, friends, and someday my kids.

I also decided that it may challenge me to think and pray more. As I read other blogs, I enjoy learning from the musings of other people. I think that blogging may motivate me to stop and think about life's situations on a deeper level (not to mention my grammar and punctuation). I pray that God will use it to teach me more about his viewpoint on our days.

So, Blog World, here I come........