Sandwich Bread

2 envelopes active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (about 105 F)
1/4 cup honey or 1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 Tablespoon coarse salt
6-7 cups all-purpose flour

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment.
2. Add honey, butter and salt; whisk until yeast is dissolved.
3. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
4. Add 3 cups flour, mix on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
5. Add 3 more cups flour; mix until incorporated.
6. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough, adding up to 1 cup four as needed; knead until smooth, elastic and slightly sticky, about 5 minutes.
7. Let rise in a large buttered bowl, covered with plastic wrap in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 400 F.
9. Butter two large loaf pans.
10. Punch down the dough; transfer to a lightly floured surface.
11. Divide dough in half.
12. Gently knead each piece until smooth.
13. Shape each piece into a loaf, tucking sides underneath to form a seam down the middle.
14. Place loaves, seam side down, in buttered pans.
15. Let rise until dough reaches top of pans, 15-20 minutes.
16. Brush tops of loaves with butter.
17. Bake until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped, 35-45 minutes.
18. Let cool slighly in pans on wire racks then remove from pans.
19. Let cool until just warm before slicing.

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sat
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup butter
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
additinal brown sugar for serving
additional milk, for serving

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Pour into a reased square glass baking dish and bake at 350 F fr 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.
3. Scoop each portion into a small bowl, then pour a spash of milk over each - it should be just enough to be absorbed by the oatmeal.
4. Sprinkle each with some brown sugar and serve warm.

Crock-Pot Pizza Dip

I was assigned to bring chips and dip for our Super Bowl party this year. Maddie and I decided to invent a dip recipe instead of buying the traditional stuff and this is what we came up with. I think it turned out pretty dang good, at least my family liked it! Give it a try at your next party.

6-8 pepperoni, chopped*

5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped*

1 Tbsp garlic, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

6 Tbsp flour

2 cups milk

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 cups marinara sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can sliced olives, drained*

dipping stuff = bread, crackers, breadsticks, etc.

In a large sauce pan saute pepperoni in 1 Tbsp. e.v.o.o. until crispy, removed from pan, drain on paper towel and discard excess grease. Add remaining 4 Tbsp of e.v.o.o. to pan and saute onion, garlic and seasonings until soft and transparent. Add flour to make a roux. Stir and cook roux for 2 minutes. Add milk slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and stir in cheese (this cheese sauce will be very thick). Stir in marinara sauce, tomatoes and olives. Add pepperoni. Place mixture in a crock-pot to keep hot and serve with breadsticks, crackers, crusty bread, etc.

* I suppose you could add whatever pizza "toppings" you would like to your pizza dip (sausage, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.). We just chose pepperoni, onions and olives for our first experiment and it turned out great. I hope your pizza dip is yummy.