Bread

Bored with making the same kind of loaf every time? Why not try Pita Bread? I found this a pretty good resource:

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/pitabread

Mine weren’t 100% successful at puffing up to form the pocket – looks like I needed to go to 410 in the oven – but those that didn’t still tasted fine. Lots of other recipes on this site too.

I’ve also been battling my whole meal bread – trying different mixtures and blends of white and whole meal. Something that seems to help (though only tried once so far) form more bubbles and make them less stodgy is to make up some gluten and add that to the dough mix.

Of course for those allergic to gluten that’s not a great solution – another thing I’ve done in the past, especially as my yeast starts getting a little old is to add some baking powder to provide an extra kick in the oven.

Yum, Tofu

Ok,not something you hear too often, but here’s a simple way to brighten it up.

Serves 4 (serve with brown rice)

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 inch finger of ginger root
• 14 oz extra firm tofu

Cube the tofu and place in an oven proof tray. Drizzle the oil & sauce over the tofu cubes. Roughly chop the ginger and add to the dish. Marinate for about 30 minutes, turning the tofu from time to time, so you have something like this:

Bake in the oven at 400 for about 40-50 minutes, again turning from time to time until the tofu crisps. Note you don’t have to keep the tofu in a flat layer.The strands of ginger will brown and most of the fluid will evaporate or be absorbed by the tofu.

Serve with brown rice.

‘Tis the season

In my continuing saga of self-sufficiency, I’ve now turned to making my own beer :) Like with beginning any new ‘hobby’, it makes sense to start small and go with something tried and tested. So, for about $99 (to get the free shipping) I got this lot from Mr Beer.

I mixed and matched a bit, getting one of their starter kits and then complementing it with an extra brew keg and another three beer mixes. Each mix makes 2 gallons of beer.

One thing to note is the standard brew mixes use one can of mix (which is then brewed with Booster – basically sugars and maltodextrin) where as the premium mixes use two cans. So needless to say, the premium ones will have more body.

Obviously once up to speed, you can try your own recipes (I’m sure I can make hard cider from apple juice) or graduate to a more advanced set up. And if you don’t want something alcoholic, they do root beer too :)