So, if you’re noticing a tread in the last couple of weeks, yes, I am indeed really getting into this “bread baking in a dutch oven” thing. In fact, so much so that I bought a second — smaller — enameled cast iron pot. I really wanted the Le Creuset one, but the 3 1/2 quart one there was $290 so I bought a “knock off” which was only $50. My standard 6-quart dutch oven makes amazing loaves, but I am a single person and I would die of carb overload if I ate that much bread. So I am making smaller loaves, for now, by cutting the recipes in half. You can do the math to get it back to “normal sized”.
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Sandwiches/Paninis
The story of this loaf of bread (condensed version): I’ve been meaning to make this style of bread for a while, but always forget the overnight rise, so remembered last night at about midnight that I was going to start it. I really must have messed up the water to flour ratio (I think I put in 2 cups or more of water, when it should have been only 1 and a half cups). But I figured I’d run with it, put it in the fridge and this morning — well, while it had risen, it was a gloppy mess. I almost didn’t even bake it up, but thought at the last minute that it would be a waste of good flour if I didn’t even go through the entire experiment.
Into the pre-heated Dutch oven, in the oven, it went at 450F. I had no faith.
But then, after 40 minutes, I opened the lid to a lightly tan, but certain the right shape and with a semi-crusty crust loaf of bread. Fifteen minutes later, uncovered, it was beautiful, risen, crusty and frankly, quite lovely looking. I mean, if you think bread is pretty. 🙂 While the crumb / consistency was a little too dense and chewy, not all was lost and I am completely sold on the “baking bread in a dutch oven” method. Gets out your Le Creuset, kids — I’m going to do some more bread baking (without messing up the water/flour ratio next time)!
A yummy sandwich / panini with a silly name! As you may know, I have a thing for figs… fresh figs, dried figs, fig jams and butters… all yummy additions and lend this “something” to sweet and savory things. IN this case, I used Trader Joes fig butter on a grilled cheese with bacon, hence the silly name.
So, after my trip to Maine last weekend, I’m devouring the bounty that I brought back. Today, that meant making a “Traditional” Maine Lobster Roll. Now, “traditional” is all relative. Everyone has a slightly different recipe for the lobster “stuffing” but a few things hold true:
1. as much lobster as you can get in the roll.
2. not too much mayo (and some people prefer melted butter over mayo altogether)
3. buttered, toasted top-split hotdog bun
I add lettuce, but some people hate that. Some people add a little bit of celery to the lobster, but I hate that. I add a little bit of horseradish and chives. Some people add paprika or dill. Either way, the rolls in the photo are “overstuffed” and delicious.
Dinner, Lunch, Sandwiches/Paninis
Bourbon Caramelized Onions, Bacon and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Panini
Yesterday was National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. I either didn’t know this or actually may not have cared, until I saw all the yummy GCSs being posted all over the Interwebs. So I had to run out and buy some yummy cheese and bread and came up with this concoction. Bacon, caramelized onions with a shot of bourbon, a really nice cheese. Lunch is served.