An encounter with yeast

Yeast is a scary animal. Most people hate dealing with it. For some reason, I don't mind it... yes, I'm weird like that. There is nothing more exciting to me than to see the dough rise and know I at least did something right. Hey, it may not taste the greatest, but at least I got my dough to rise!

Yet again I was on the cooking board (surprise, surprise!) and Amber posted this recipe. I figured it would be the perfect side to any dinner, I need to give it a shot! I had to do the kneading by hand... but it worked. The directions below are for a mixer, but everywhere it says mix with a mixer it's easily done by hand. Who couldn't use a good arm workout??!

I also shaped the rolls and froze half of them before allowing them to rise. Thaw the dough in the fridge and let rise as noted below if you're taking them from the freezer.

Yummmmmmmm...

A couple hints on getting dough to rise:
-I've found it rises best in the oven. Heat the oven to 150 or 200 degrees, then turn it off. Put the covered bowl in the oven and let rise.
-If it's dry in your house, simmer some water on the stove (don't bring to a boil) and pour into a cake pan. Put the pan under the bowl in the oven and let the dough rise.

Enjoy :)



Dinner Rolls
Amber's Delectable Delights
Yield 16 rolls

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup warm milk
1 egg (I used Egg Beaters)
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup butter, softened (for topping rolls)

DIRECTIONS
- Place water and milk in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute or until liquids reach (110 degrees F/45 degrees C).
-Pour liquids into mixer bowl; add sugar and stir to dissolve.
-Add yeast and let set for 10-20 minutes to proof (the mixture will be foamy).
- Attach the bowl to the mixer and mix on low speed adding the salt, 1/3 cup butter and egg.
-Once well mixed add in the flour 1/4 cup at a time.
-Remove the paddle attachment and attach the dough hook.
-With the mixer; knead the dough for 5-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and shape into desired shape.
-Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for an hour.
-Gently brush the tops of the rolls with half of the remaining softened butter.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and bake the rolls for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
-Upon removing the rolls from the oven brush them with remaining softened butter.

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications)

Calories 172.6
Total Fat 7.2 g
Cholesterol 18.4 mg
Sodium 157.4 mg
Potassium 60.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate 22.8 g
Fiber .8 g
Protein 3.9 g

Beans, beans...

I admit. I don't like to eat my veggies. I have the most awful time getting in vegetables throughout the day. I first tried this recipe at Christmas 2006 and fell in love. Up until then, I had hated green beans. Leave it to garlic to add the zing I need! This can also be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Don't put the bread crumbs on until ready to bake.



Baked Garlic Green Beans
www.allrecipes.com
2 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen cut green beans, thawed
1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon butter, melted

-In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
-Add the beans; toss to coat.
-Transfer to a greased 3-cup baking dish.
-Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter; sprinkle over beans.
-Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

NUTRITION INFO

Calories 172.5
Total Fat 13.1 g
Cholesterol 2.0 mg
Sodium 651.5 mg
Potassium 19.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 11.0 g
Fiber .3 g
Protein 3.4 g