How to make a sourdough starter. It's easy to make and use.

I've never gotten around to making Sour Dough breads, as I have never had a " starter" to work with. So today, I finally got around to making it. 

how to make a sourdough starter. It's easy to make and use.

then!

Bread Machine FUN again!

So we are rushed and getting home from a mini ski vacation. I know I have hamburger patties all made up in my freezer but I am out of buns.  I have 2 hrs, so  I put the ingredients in the bread machine and made a large batch of bread dough.

The buns turned out great, as always...home-made buns always make a burger extra special in my eyes...

But I made a double batch. My son had a friend over for the night, so why not make a " Breakfast Stromboli" as they also had hockey first thing.  ( well, then we found out they didn't have hockey...but breakfast was ready anyway!)


I rolled out the dough into a large rectangle and put in some shredded cheddar, and leftover diced black forest ham I had leftover in the freezer. Rolled it up. Sealed in Saran wrap and kept in the fridge for the night. When I woke up, I made my coffee ( always the first thing to do) then put the dough on the baking stone, under a towel and heat lamp above my stove. Let it rest, while I pre-heated the oven 375, and enjoyed my coffee.
Baked 25 minutes or so- again! I have no clue, I just peak on it every so often, until it sounds hollow when you tap  it and it looks something like this.

 YUMMY!

The LOVE of the Bread Maker- Dedicated to Mindy and Tara!

Some people aren't big fans of Bread Machines. They only think they can do one thing and that is produce a funky looking loaf of bread with the paddle hole in the bottom.

However, the Bread Machine can be your very best friend! with endless possibilies.  I LOVE mine.

 Here's a few idea's for you!


Within 2 hrs I can make a last minute meal if I need to.

Make your dough in the machine-- do not bake, just the dough. On my machine, it will be ready in less than 2 hrs.

I take out the dough, roll out out into a rectangle and have fun! Sooo many options to fill this dough up!

My kids favourite:  STROMBOLI

1. Make plain bread dough in machine.
2. Pre-heat oven to 375F
3. Roll out dough into a large rectangle.
3. Place whatever ingredients you want...
    eg:  Pesto sauce, cheeses, salami, Italian meats, spinach leaves, pepperoni, sausage, etc...
4. Roll up and seal with your fingers, place seamed side down, it will be a long roll. Place on a baking stone ( Invest in one of these, as you will use them every time you make bread) At this point you can apply an egg/milk wash on the bread or spray some olive oil on top.
5. Bake, until the bread looks done. I am terrible with time, but guessing around 30 minutes.
6. Go crazy with the lovely smells in your house...get really hungry!
7. Enjoy! Slice, dip in tomato sauce, or don't.  Really good served with soup.

Artichoke Bread:

( can't find a picture, but I will take one next time I make it)

I found this type of bread while cruising around in California. It was amazing, so I had to try and duplicate it.

Again: Make basic bread DOUGH, in your machine.

1.  Roll out into a large circle.
2.  Place canned artichokes in oil on top, along with lots of shaved Parmesan and minced garlic.
3. Drizzle with more oil.
4. Gently bring up the sides of the dough, all around the circle, but leave a little bit of the middle showing, so you can see a little bit of the artichokes. Place on baking stone.
5. Bake 375F, 30 minutes until the bread looks done. Again, terrible with time.
6. Slice into wedges, serve.

PASTA!

yes, you heard that correctly, PASTA!  I loooove home-made pasta, nothing beats the real deal. A bit of work though, right? Fun, but yes, a little bit of labour for that love.  Well, I found a way to use the bread machine to do the kneading for you.   Then you take it to this machine to make your strips, or whatever shape you want. Try some Ravioli!

That's my husband...we use a basic board when we are working with fresh pasta as that is what we were taught to do in Italy when we took cooking lessons with the locals. It works well. Flour it up a bit. Have fun!

He must of been making lasagna noodles that day, as he has them hanging on everything! See. You don't need special equipment for drying, but this thing works well for linguine.

and here is someone making home-made ravioli. Wouldn't a Pumpkin/Sage/ Ricotta filling be good!?

the possibles are endless and once you try home-made fresh pasta with one of your most fabulous Tuscan sauces....you won't even want to go back to anything else!

So, I can hear you know..yelling at me!  WHERE is the Pasta Dough Recipe!?

I found it here. This guy will show you everything you need to know.

The Amazing Pasta Man~!

I also make bread bowls for my stews, soups, chili...so yummy! Just make your dough, then roll into thin rounds, place on a bowl, upside down with a little oil sprayed in the oven. Bake.

 or make your very own pazarotti's that you can have ready in the freezer, for quick week-day meals. All personally done to your liking.

The possibilities are endless...I make cinnamon rolls, ( make the dough in my machine, then do my thing)  foccacia, cheese bread, braided bread, you name it. You can do it.

Have fun!