Friday, May 13, 2011
Back!
Sorry folks, took a little time off to go on vacation to Tybee Island. Be back soon with stories from the trip.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Bring Back Home - Cinnamon Rolls.
This past weekend, I made a patch of my mom's cinnamon rolls for the mens tennis team. I completely got the Betty Crocker bug last Friday as there was pizza dough and cinnomon roll dough made on the same day.
As always I was determined to make it BETTER than my mom. Let me explain. There are certain tastes that I adore, that just hit my cerebral cortex right in the happy spot and bring me back to childhood. There are three ingredients I can never have too much of, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter(the real stuff). Mom's use is just not liberal enough for my soul.
I promised this recipe back in February so I apologize for the procrastiation on the post!
Cinnamon Rolls.
Cover w/ saran wrap - loosely across only one side of the pan. Let rise over night.
While these bake the next morning, prepare the cinnamon glaze. Melt 1/2 stick butter, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 4 T. Light corn syrup. in pot on low. Slowly bring to boil. Turn off and remove from heat. Whisk in 1 tsp baking soda. The glaze will become frothy. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and whisk until glaze starts cooling. Be careful to not do this too ahead of the rolls being done as it will really start to stiffen. When rolls are done drizzle over rolls and serve on platter.
Bake @ 425 for 12 - 15 minutes
These just turned out perfect!
I was touched when a neighbor told me they ''reminded him of home, and his mom used to make similar cinnamon rolls with the yeasty dough.'' There was just pure delight in his voice as he spoke, almost childlike. You see, his mom died on Christmas Day 2010 unexpectedly. I'm so grateful that this recipe could bring back 'home' for someone and make their heart smile one more time.
As always I was determined to make it BETTER than my mom. Let me explain. There are certain tastes that I adore, that just hit my cerebral cortex right in the happy spot and bring me back to childhood. There are three ingredients I can never have too much of, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter(the real stuff). Mom's use is just not liberal enough for my soul.
I promised this recipe back in February so I apologize for the procrastiation on the post!
Cinnamon Rolls.
1 C. shortening, 1 c. boiling water
1 c. sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. warm water, dissolve yeast in water
2 cubes compressed yeast or 2 pkgs. dry yeast
6 c. unsifted flour
Pour boiling water over shortening. Add sugar & salt. Add eggs, then water w/ dissolved yeast. Add
Flour until well mixed, cover and let rise in warm place for at least 4 hrs. Note, this makes really sticky dough in case you get concerned.
After 4 hours, punch dough to break rise dome.....
Knead 1/2 c. extra flour into dough ball. (yes, this flour is in addition to the above)
Cover counter with wax paper in 3'x2' area. Sprinkle wax paper with ample flour. Hand roll dough ball into a long cylinder. Use rolling pin to flatten dough into a rectangle about 1/4" thick. Rectangle will normally be about 30"x20"
Melt 1.5 sticks of butter and spread evenly over dough. Sprinkle 1 c. white & 1.5 c. brown sugar across rectangle to absorb butter. Sprinkle generously w/ cinnamon. Let dough set for 10 mins to allow sugars and butters to thicken up.
Begin to roll dough in cyclinder from the longest side. You should end up with a 30" long cylinder of yumminess! The sugar will ooze out at the end of the roll, that's OK.
After 4 hours, punch dough to break rise dome.....
Knead 1/2 c. extra flour into dough ball. (yes, this flour is in addition to the above)
Cover counter with wax paper in 3'x2' area. Sprinkle wax paper with ample flour. Hand roll dough ball into a long cylinder. Use rolling pin to flatten dough into a rectangle about 1/4" thick. Rectangle will normally be about 30"x20"
Melt 1.5 sticks of butter and spread evenly over dough. Sprinkle 1 c. white & 1.5 c. brown sugar across rectangle to absorb butter. Sprinkle generously w/ cinnamon. Let dough set for 10 mins to allow sugars and butters to thicken up.
Begin to roll dough in cyclinder from the longest side. You should end up with a 30" long cylinder of yumminess! The sugar will ooze out at the end of the roll, that's OK.
Slice 1 - 1 1/4" thick rounds and place on greased pan. A standard cookie sheet hold about 12 rolls. The end slices lack some of the sugar goodness. Take a knife and pick up the sugary ooze on the wax paper, put on top of the end rolls
Cover w/ saran wrap - loosely across only one side of the pan. Let rise over night.
While these bake the next morning, prepare the cinnamon glaze. Melt 1/2 stick butter, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 4 T. Light corn syrup. in pot on low. Slowly bring to boil. Turn off and remove from heat. Whisk in 1 tsp baking soda. The glaze will become frothy. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and whisk until glaze starts cooling. Be careful to not do this too ahead of the rolls being done as it will really start to stiffen. When rolls are done drizzle over rolls and serve on platter.
Bake @ 425 for 12 - 15 minutes
These just turned out perfect!
I was touched when a neighbor told me they ''reminded him of home, and his mom used to make similar cinnamon rolls with the yeasty dough.'' There was just pure delight in his voice as he spoke, almost childlike. You see, his mom died on Christmas Day 2010 unexpectedly. I'm so grateful that this recipe could bring back 'home' for someone and make their heart smile one more time.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Smattered Thoughts
Ever feel like you're a windshield being hit with the bugs flying by? Here's a smatter of happenings in the last week.
First. I forgot my therapist appointment last week! Ooooops. With everything going on with Pam and cooking for the family and Easter I just got wrapped up in life.
Thing is, I'm sorta feeling done with therapy for now. The last session felt, empty. Yeah, that's the best word I can find. Just felt like I was talking and wasting poor Ann's time to chat about nothing really important or groundbreaking. My soul is settled or at least calmed. There will be another earthquake one day, but until then I'm ok. Only problem now is the $75 charge for missing the appt....like I said, oooops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm feeling for a friend right now with a fussy, fussy infant. She and her husband have tried everything to no avail. She is tired, frustrated, sleep deprived, and lost on what the next step is. It's in the tired moments that we have the funniest conversations though.
Her, 'The baby likes vibration, to bad they don't make something to vibrate the crib.'...Me, ''WAIT, I have something like that!'''.....run upstairs and rummage through drawers to find First Years matress vibrator....''Here ya go, oh darn it, it's broken!''....I start laughing....''Do you think a vibrator would work? That might be a little too much action for V though.'' You have to admit it's worth a try! Deperate mommies on the edge will be resourceful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I planted the vegetable garden last week with Nora and Andrew. This mommy is determined to teach Nora things without it being torture, so planting was a great nature lesson. It a lady bug....Nora ''Ahhhhhh! It's on my hand.'' Me, rolling my eyes at the drama.
Next stage, cleaning up the area and moving the broken bird bath. Ewwwwwww! Termite colony under the concrete. Nora, ''Loooook ants! Get them, get them!!''...
Me, getting the Ant and Roach spray.(Completely annilated the colony btw.)...Nora, ''Squirt that one! There's another one!''...OK, excitement over termites, scared of lady bug?
Time to till up the soil. Look, there's a worm...Nora, ''Let me see, wow he's wiggly. I pick him up mommy?'' Uhhh, sure. 'hehehe, he's all slimy and ewwwwwy.''
At this point I was baffled. Ladybug is bad, termites are exciting, and holding a worm is the icing on the cake?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And then we arrived at Easter and we were smattered with memories.
As I said on my status days ago, it was exactly how imagined in my heart. The kiddos slept in, we all layed in bed together and then rose for the day.
I got my coffee and played Easter bunny in the backyard while Rich distracted Nora and Trent. There were showers, make up and beautiful clothes put on to celebrate the day. Grandparents came to watch the hunt and eat brunch. And when all the eggs were opened and copious amounts of sugar inhaled, we sat on the driveway and watched the sun rise to noon and our girl ride her tricycle.
We rested. And there was peace.
First. I forgot my therapist appointment last week! Ooooops. With everything going on with Pam and cooking for the family and Easter I just got wrapped up in life.
Thing is, I'm sorta feeling done with therapy for now. The last session felt, empty. Yeah, that's the best word I can find. Just felt like I was talking and wasting poor Ann's time to chat about nothing really important or groundbreaking. My soul is settled or at least calmed. There will be another earthquake one day, but until then I'm ok. Only problem now is the $75 charge for missing the appt....like I said, oooops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm feeling for a friend right now with a fussy, fussy infant. She and her husband have tried everything to no avail. She is tired, frustrated, sleep deprived, and lost on what the next step is. It's in the tired moments that we have the funniest conversations though.
Her, 'The baby likes vibration, to bad they don't make something to vibrate the crib.'...Me, ''WAIT, I have something like that!'''.....run upstairs and rummage through drawers to find First Years matress vibrator....''Here ya go, oh darn it, it's broken!''....I start laughing....''Do you think a vibrator would work? That might be a little too much action for V though.'' You have to admit it's worth a try! Deperate mommies on the edge will be resourceful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I planted the vegetable garden last week with Nora and Andrew. This mommy is determined to teach Nora things without it being torture, so planting was a great nature lesson. It a lady bug....Nora ''Ahhhhhh! It's on my hand.'' Me, rolling my eyes at the drama.
Next stage, cleaning up the area and moving the broken bird bath. Ewwwwwww! Termite colony under the concrete. Nora, ''Loooook ants! Get them, get them!!''...
Me, getting the Ant and Roach spray.(Completely annilated the colony btw.)...Nora, ''Squirt that one! There's another one!''...OK, excitement over termites, scared of lady bug?
Time to till up the soil. Look, there's a worm...Nora, ''Let me see, wow he's wiggly. I pick him up mommy?'' Uhhh, sure. 'hehehe, he's all slimy and ewwwwwy.''
At this point I was baffled. Ladybug is bad, termites are exciting, and holding a worm is the icing on the cake?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And then we arrived at Easter and we were smattered with memories.
As I said on my status days ago, it was exactly how imagined in my heart. The kiddos slept in, we all layed in bed together and then rose for the day.
I got my coffee and played Easter bunny in the backyard while Rich distracted Nora and Trent. There were showers, make up and beautiful clothes put on to celebrate the day. Grandparents came to watch the hunt and eat brunch. And when all the eggs were opened and copious amounts of sugar inhaled, we sat on the driveway and watched the sun rise to noon and our girl ride her tricycle.
We rested. And there was peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)