Whole-Wheat "sugar" Bears

This is a bread recipe. Actually meant to make bread bears, but we have found that this is the wheat bread recipe that we like, so I just make loaves out of it (2-3 loaves). I made it this morning and it actually rose! I got my other unopened yeast out, so maybe that helped.

1 1/4 c sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 packages active dry yeast

about 4 cups all purpose flour

4 c whole-wheat flour

2 c milk

1 c butter

2 eggs

1 Tbsp water

In a large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast, 1 cup all purpose flour, and 2 cups wheat flour. In a saucepan over low heat, heat milk and butter until very warm.

With mixer at low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients until blended. At medium speed, beat 2 minutes. Reserve 1 egg white; beat in remaining eggs and 1 cup of each flour; beat 2 minutes more. Stir in remaining wheat flour and enough additional all purpose flour to make a soft dough,

In floured surface, knead dough about 10 minutes, adding more flour. Shape into a ball. Cover and let rise about 1 hour.

Punch dough down, turn onto floured surface and let rest 15 minutes. Shape dough into loaves (2 or 3). Cover and let rise another hour.

Add 1 Tbsp water to egg white. Brush loaves with egg white (I usually forget this part and they still turn out fine). Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Chocolate Lover's Dream Cookies

The title says it all, doesn't it? Just think chocolate chocolate chip cookies. This is from my Taste of Home magazine. I have made it twice now and love them.

6 Tbsp oil

1/4 c butter, softened

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1/2 c sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 c flour

1/2 c baking cocoa

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 c vanilla or white chips

1 c chocolate chips

I a large bowl, beat the oil, butter and sugars until well blended. add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, and baking powder; gradually add to oil mixture and stir well. Stir in chips.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

I actually only used chocolate chips in this and not white ones as well because we didn't have any.

Failure

The past two times that I have made bread it has not risen, it still tastes okay, but is small and dense. So I am thinking maybe I need new yeast or make sure it is really warm when it comes to raising it. Unless I haven't let the milk cool down enough and I killed the yeast.

Chicken Fringers

This is from The Joy of Cooking

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I only used 2)

Cut into strips.

Combine in wide shallow bowl:

2 cups dried bread crumbs

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp minced parsley or 1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Whisk together in a shallow bowl:

2 eggs

2 tsp water

Dip chicken in egg mixture and then crumbs.

Heat 3 Tbsp oil in large skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken for about 4-5 minutes, turning to cook evenly.

Serve with some dipping sauce.

We loved this and had no leftovers. Ian ate a lot! I halved the recipe because I used less chicken and it worked great.

Oven Fried Chicken with Cornmeal Crust

This is from The Joy of Cooking

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs chicken parts (I used 2 chicken breasts)

Whisk in a large bowl:

2 cups plain yogurt or buttermilk

2 garlic gloves, finely minced

curry powder or ground cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom (I used cinnamon)

1/2 c lemon juice

2 Tbsp finely minced shallots (I think this is green onions)

1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme

2 tsp salt

2 tsp chili powder

Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 425. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Combine in a wide shallow bowl:

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

1/2 c dried bread crumbs

1/2 c cornmeal

3 Tbsp minced parsley

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Whisk together in a shallow bowl:

2 eggs

2 Tbsp butter (melted)

Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture. Arrange the chicken on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes.

We liked this, well of course Ian did, it's chicken. Next time I will halve the recipe (I had a lot of the crumb mixture left over and there was a lot of marinade).

Mexican Chip Casserole

This is from The Taste of Home: Prize Winning Recipes

Recipe as is:

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can Mexicorn

1 can chopped green chilies

1 package (10 1/1 oz) corn chips

1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce

1 to 2 cups cheese

Brown hamburger, onion, and garlic. Add soup, corn, and chilies and mix well.

In a 3 quart baking dish, layer meat mixture, corn chips, enchilada sauce, and cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

So I did some things different. I used dried minced onions (that's what I had). Green beans instead of corn (wanted to use what we had in the fridge) and no chilies (Rex doesn't like them). I also made enchilada sauce from a packet. I thought it turned out really good, Ian wouldn't eat it though. Rex said he liked it alright.