More Dang Good...

If you want to create a filling,

satisfying,

complete,

and O-SO-YUM-O meal,

make

THIS

to go along with those Dang Good Ham Sandwiches.

Thanks for passing this along, Cassie!

Dang Good Ham Sandwiches

(Image from bunsinmyoven.com)

Okay, they are actually called Ham and Poppy Seed Rolls, but after you make them you'll agree with my title. The picture is the same sandwich minus the poppy seeds. These were served at our Visiting Teaching Seminar today. They were baking through the last half of the meeting and you could smell them all over the building. Here's the recipe (thanks, Stacy!):

24 (2 packages?)Pepperidge Farm party rolls (the small ones)
(updated FYI: I couldn't find the PF rolls, so I used the Hawaiian Bread 12 pack dinner rolls)
1 lbs. thin sliced honey ham
1 lbs. thin sliced swiss cheese
2 sticks butter
2 T. mustard
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 T. poppy seeds
2 T. worcestershire sauce

Cut rolls in half and layer with ham and cheese. Put the top of each roll back on and arrange the sandwiches in a 9x13 pan. Combine the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, cooking until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour butter/sugar mixture over sandwiches and allow them to soak for a few hours or even overnight if you have the time. (Stacy says less "sauce" is better than more so they don't get soggy.) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and the bottom is nicely browned. Now... I dare you to try to eat only one! You can thank me (or curse me...ha!) later for sharing.

By the way, does anyone else have the tune of "Oh, Canada!" stuck in their head? I loved how they "fixed" the forth leg of the cauldron base to start off the closing ceremony of the Olympics tonight. Anyone else want to take a trip to B.C. now? I do.

The BEST Snickerdoodles

Right now I should be working on RS things or folding clothes, but instead, I'm here at the computer doing something much more important. I have to share another great recipe that uses whole wheat flour. This recipe comes from Monica Stewart, so some of you that read this already have it. For those of you that don't - you want this - believe me.

In a mixing bowl cream together:

1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter

Add:

1 egg + 1 egg white

Mix well. Then combine:

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Salt

Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix well until dry mixture is completely incorporated. Refigerate dough for 1-2 hours to become firm. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine:

1/4 c. sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon

After dough becomes firm enough, form into walnut size balls (the small Pampered Chef scoop makes a great size) and roll in cinnamon sugar to coat well. Place two inches apart on a baking sheet. Cook in a 400 F. oven for 8-10 minutes, taking care not to overcook. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container (if any make it that far!)

Yield: 4-5 dozen cookies

Mmmmmm.....Bread

Stacy E. this is for you!



One of my favorite things to do is bake bread, now that I've had enough "learning experiences" to get it right. I don't think there is much that can beat a piece of warm bread, fresh out of the oven, slathered with butter and honey. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I've even succeeded in changing my husband's perception of whole wheat bread. The recipe that I use was given to me by my wonderful friend, Cassie. If I remember correctly, it comes from her grandma, Fern Furness. With all the practice I got before getting it right, I've tweaked it just a bit. So Stacy, here's the recipe. Try it-it may erase your latest bread fiasco. By the way, have you burned that recipe book yet?

Okay - the recipe:


( In order of how I put them in the mixer)
2 Tablespoons shortning, room temperature
3 Tablespoons ground flax seed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cups hot water (I use the hottest I can get out of the tap)
1 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 Tablespoons dough enhancer
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)


Mix on low speed for approximately 5 minutes, then gradually add 2 1/2 - 4 cups whole wheat flour. Add flour only until the bread dough forms a ball and sides of the mixer bowl come clean. (I never use the whole 4 cups of flour.) Add 1 teaspoon salt to the dough, then turn the mixer to medium and continue mixing for another 8-10 minutes. Dough will be just slightly sticky and smooth. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Form into loaves on an oiled (not floured!) surface and place in greased bread pans. Allow bread to raise until doubled.


Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove loaves from pans immediately after taking them from the oven and cool on a rack.

That's it! Something this good is definitely worth sharing. Now, go make some bread and enjoy!

Just a side note: One of the best things I did to improve my bread making skills was to buy a Bosch Mixer! If you are thinking about making bread on a regular basis, you may want to look into it.