Sunday, July 26, 2009

Summer Jam Session

  I’m back! Can you believe tomorrow is a start to a new week once again? At least my week ended with a bang—my little trip home and my day with dad turned out to be super fun! Seinfeld is even funnier in real life and had the whole place laughing for 2 hours straight—I woke up the next morning with sore facial muscles from smiling and laughing the whole time—sometimes that’s just what you need! Besides that my dad and I spent the day eating good food (buffets anyone? or ice cream?), and then went to shop the little stores down by Lake Superior—we found a huge antique shop and spend over an hour having fun looking around. Did you do anything fun this weekend or just relax? Unfortunately no cameras were aloud in Seinfeld, so I didn’t even bring mine.

On a different note, I experimented with a new bread recipe recently and it turned out to be a great one! Don’t be turned off by the pumpkin because it is very subtle in the final product and adds a really nice texture. This bread is extremely good toasted or not with some spread like jam on it. (Easy homemade jam recipe below!)

CIMG0189

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bread

Makes: 1 1/2 lb loaf

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 C milk (I used Almond Breeze)
  • 1/4 C canned pumpkin
  • 1 egg or 2 egg whites
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/8 C applesauce
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 C old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 C bread flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp wheat gluten
  • 1 1/2 Tsp rapid or quick yeast

Directions:

  • Mix all ingredients according to bread machine manufacturer instructions.
  • Select basic for cycle.

No bread machine? No big deal! Try this recipe which is somewhat similar, just add in a bit of applesauce.

So now you have the bread—why not continue on your culinary kick and make so homemade jam. This method is so easy, I promise!

Work Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes + Standing
Yield: 4 Half-Pints

1. Whisk together 1 1/2 c sugar and 1 package (1.59 oz) "no-cook freezer jam fruit pectin in a bowl. Be sure to buy the right type!

2. Mash 1 c raspberries, 1 c blackberries, and 2 c strawberries (hulled and quartered) in another bowl until fruit is a chunky puree.

3. Pour sugar and pectin into the bowl with the fruit and stir until very well combined. This will take 2 to 3 minutes.


4. Ladle jam into four 8 oz freezer jam jars (either glass or plastic), let stand until set, about 30 minutes, and freeze.

*Courtesy of Prevention Magazine*


10 comments:

tinyirishdancer said...

Ohmigosh. SUCH a weird coincidink! My mum and I went berry-picking yesterday and made our own raspberry and strawberry jam. And today? Well, we're making homemade bread! =D

I'd love to try out your bread recipe, but I unfortunately have no pumpkin in the house. Boo. Ah well - next time!

Peanut Butter Swirl said...

can you please work at a bakery!? haha
wow that bread sounds so good :D

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

mmmm fresh baked bread is one of the best things in life! glad you had fun at seinfeld, lucky!!!

Krista said...

Bread recipe sounds great!!

Jenny said...

there's nothing better than getting in a good laugh! I'm glad seinfeld did not dissapoint :)

Healthy Beach Bum said...

i love antique malls! I love when you can find one amazing treasure for your room. It sounds like you had an amazing time :) That bread looks delish <3

Erica said...

Glad you had fun with your daddy and enjoyed the show! This bread sounds fantastic- I love love pumpkin so I'm all for it!

Anonymous said...

I'm NOT turned off by the addition of pumpkin! In fact, it lures me even more! WOW, looks awesome!
And I'm glad you had such a great time!

Anonymous said...

Happy Sunday to you too.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, Seinfeld is hilarious, love his show! How fun to see him in person!

I went to Seaworld this weekend :) A bit of a mix up from my usual hanging around the house.