Sunday, 18 September 2011

celebration day

today is a day of celebration as i have become the proud auntie of a beautiful baby girl!
so i have decided to make some bread and focaccia to welcome, in my heart,  the new arrival.
here it is my bake off:

































for the dough i have used about:
600gr plain white flour 
350 gr semola flour
30gr dried yeast
30 gr salt
30gr honey
more than a pint of lukewarm water ( about 700ml).
mix the flour in a very large bowl.
mix the yeast and the honey and dilute with the water.
add the lukewarm mix to the flours incorporating slowly from centre until all the water is absorbed.
add salt. knead for 5-10 mins. vigorously. form a ball.
sprinkle dough ball with more flour. score it with a knife.
let the dough prove for one hour in a switched-off oven.
after an hour, when the dough will have doubled its volume, divide it to prepare the different breads.
i made a sunflower seeds loaf.
a focaccia with onion and rosemary
a focaccia with feta and tomatoes
some small breads.
for the sunflower loaf add to about 1/4 of the dough 80gr seeds. 
kneed the air out of the dough and form a loaf. place it on a tin and let it prove for an other hour.
for the focaccias use 1/4 each of the dough, kneed the air out, flatten on 2 baking trays. 
punch holes with your fingers and top with very generous amount of ev-olive oil, salt and rosemary and onions in one,
tomatoes (mine where frozen), feta cheese, oregano the other. let prove for one hour in a switched off oven.
for the small breads add some milk to the remaining dough, work it in. form equally sized balls. let prove for one hour in a switched off oven.
i have baked all in a 220 degrees oven for about 1/2 hour.


Friday, 16 September 2011

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

colour my table

cauliflower boiled on the first day, souped on the second!
















with the addition of a very slow-low cooked ragout!

Friday, 9 September 2011

healthy eating

Autumn is here...a bit of a shock as I am back from a sunny Greek holiday.
My plan is too eat less than before but also better, healthier.
This Violet Queen cauliflower is the perfect beautiful start for simple eating.
Colour appeal!