My Mother-in-Law's Tasty White Bread

I have yet to taste a better loaf than this recipe makes. The first time I tried it was when my fiancé (now husband) brought a freshly baked loaf, made by himself that is, to me. He is picky about his bread and knows a good one when he finds one. I like to think he has the same skill at picking out a wife.

White Bread (make in Bosch. If using a Kitchen Aid, half the recipe) Yields 5 to 6 regular loaves

3 T yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1 T sugar
5 c. hot milk
6 T Crisco Shortening
6 T sugar
2 T salt
14 c. flour

Let yeast rise in the warm water for five minutes. While that rises, heat the milk. Add the milk, shortening, sugar and salt to the Bosch mixer. Add a few cups of flour to lower the temperature. When it's not too hot for the yeast, add the yeast then the remaining flour. It usually takes more than the 14 cups. You will know when it's enough when the dough stops sticking to the sides of the bowl.

Let rise until double in size or when the dough is above the bowl (I place a thin, damp cloth over the bowl to help it rise).

Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface and separate into 5 or 6 loaves depending on how large you want them. Knead them for a few minutes until they are the desired shape. Place them into well-greased loaf pans.

Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and take them out of their pans to cool.

Outback Chicken

Outback Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thick
1/2 to 1 tsp. seasoning salt
6 slices bacon, cut in halves
1/4 c. Dijon mustard
1/2 c. honey
2 T corn syrup
2 T mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsp. dried onnion flakes
1 c. shredded Mozzarella
1/2 c. sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)

Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt; chill 30 minutes. Cook bacon till crisp; set aside. Mix next 5 ingredients; set asisde. Brown chicken in a little bacon grease for 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place in 9-inch pan. Pour half of sauce on chicken; spread to cover. To pith bacon, mushrooms, then cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes, or until juice runs clear. Serve with extra sauce.

Parmesan and Garlic Basil Butter

• I walked by a demonstration in Costco the other day. They were sampling this Parmesan, Garlic Basil Butter. They had made grilled cheese with it. BAM! It just kicked up a preschool lunch to gourmet status. Intrigued, I walked over to the display case while still savoring the  last bite in my mouth to pick up a container. Looking at the ingredients, I decided to save my $11 and go home and make it myself with the stuff I already had at home. So, here it is. This is served best with this soup.
• 1/2 lb unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 tsp. dried basil
• 1 -1 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced or pressed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Tropical Protein Smoothie

This is a twist off a drink I served at a restaurant where I worked as a teenager. I tweaked it and added some Greek yogurt to make it more protein friendly.

1 frozen banana
6 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/2 c. Greek yogurt
1/4 c. ice
1 dash vanilla
2 T sugar

Mix it all up into a blender until smooth.

*If I did my math right, this shake should have about 11 g protein.

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

I believe this cookie was a handout in a church meeting at one point. It reminded me of my then, favorite cookie called the Just Delicious Cookie. Descriptive, huh? With that cliffhanger, I'll give you the recipe to this one:

Cream together:
1 c. butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Add:
1 egg

Sift the following together:
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder

Add to the above mixture:
1 c. coconut
1 c. oatmeal

Combine the dry ingredients with the creamed mixture. Mix well. Take pieces about the size of walnuts and roll into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Moist and Fluffy Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

6 c. Warm Water*
2 T Salt
1/2 c. Vegetable Oil
1/2 c. Honey
2 1/2 T Dough Enhancer
2 T Wheat Gluten*
Wheat Flour (start with 8 1/2 c. but total 12 - 15 c.)*
2 1/2 T Saf Instant Yeast

Mix 8-9 cups fresh wheat flour and 2 1/2 T yeast together with dough hook. Add 6 cups of warm water and 2 T Wheat Gluten. (the starred ingredients) Mix to paste consistency. Cover and let sponge for 10-15 minutes. Add the oil, honey, dough enhancer. Gradually add the flour until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Take dough immediately from the bowl and place prepared sections into well sprayed, non-stick loaf pans. Cover with damp, warm towel until doubled in height (approximately 1 1/2 inches above top of pan). Once risen, place in COLD oven. Turn oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes.
Yield: 5-6 1 1/2lb. loaves

Cheddar Apple Bread

I found this recipe years ago as I was beginning adulthood and looking to improve my stash of recipes. Cheese and apples have always been two of my favorite foods; I thought they sounded tantalizing together. I made it once and was hooked. It's such a unique and tasty bread. 


2 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. margarine, melted
2 c. (8 oz) Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 1/2 c. Chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples


Combine dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk and margarine. Mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees in greased and floured bread pan for 65 - 70 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing from pan.