Thursday, May 5, 2011

Simply Soup.


I like simple and quick recipes. And this soup is perfect.

Cannellini Bean Soup.

2 x 14 oz cans chopped with herbs
9 oz cavolo nero leaves or savoy cabbage (I just used spinach)
14 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
ground black pepper

1. Pour the tomatoes into a large pan and add a can of cold water. Season with pepper and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

2. Roughly shred the cabbage leaves and add them to the pan. Partially cover the pan and simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until the cabbage is just tender.

3. Add the cannellini beans to the pan and warm through for a few minutes. Check the seasoning, then ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle each with a little olive oil and serve immediately.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

It started with a simple bread recipe.


Today was baking day. I have been wanting to make bread and finally made the time this morning. I used a simple white bread recipe:


Home-Style Yeast Bread.
3 packages active yeast
2 cups warm water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
7-3/4 to 8-1/4 cups bread flour (I used regular white flour)

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, butter, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a heavily floured surface; divide into thirds. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place in three greased 9-in x 5-in x 3-in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yields 3 loaves.


This recipe makes 3 loaves! What would we do with that much bread! I could freeze most of it, but because Eddie is not very fond of sandwiches for his lunches I decided to try something different. I made two loaves and then use the leftover dough to make a pizza for lunch and also a few stuffed rolls. I made few pizza pockets and also used up some leftover BBQ meatloaf and made stuffed meatloaf rolls. They turned out great and will make easy lunches for Eddie. I feel like I have had a very profitable morning.