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Farm Kitchen:  Bread the MaryJane Way  |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
 Posted - May 28 2009 : 07:59:48 AM
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Pam when I first formulated this recipe I used sugar because we were out of honey. If you substitute honey let us know how it works out!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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lupinelady99
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Lisa
Massena
New York
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2009 : 5:43:15 PM
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Yummy! I caught myself before I licked the screen, lol. Can't wait to give those a try.
Today I played with sourdough bar cookies. Made a chocolate/coconut/oatmeal one, a date/oatmeal one, and molasses raisin. Tomorrow I have a pumpkin one to try. Wanted to get a few batches made and stored in the freezer and the weather hasn't been good for much else (unless you are a duck). I cut them up into squares and placed them into containers, then can pull out one at a time for a coffeetime treat or a few at a time if company comes over.
The molasses ones turned out so good. Very moist and chewy. The sourdough makes the bar cookies so much better.
Molasses Bars
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teasppon cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups raisins (optional)
1 2/3 cups chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup sourdough starter
Cream butter & sugar. Beat in eggs. Beat in molasses. Blend well. Mix dry ingredients together. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet. Add sourdough starter, blending well. Fold in raisins and nuts if desired. Spread into a well greased 13 x 9 x 3 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.
http://www.myspace.com/lupinelady99 |
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2009 : 6:46:00 PM
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| Well, I made my first loaf of sourdough on Sunday, let it rise all day and it got flatter and flatter. We had sourdough frisbees. (Granted, it was the round loaves) I refuse to give up! I found Arrowhead Mills organic flour, and am using it this week for my starter, it looks great! much more "sourdoughy", smells lovely, and is bubbling more than it did last week when I was using King Arthur organic flour. I did email the company to ask if they add barley malt to their flour, but I have not heard back from them yet. Has anyone here used the Arrowhead Mills organic flour in their starter? (One day I did use 1/3 cup of my freshly ground wheat flour to give it a boost). |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2009 : 7:35:13 PM
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Not sure about the arrowhead mills. Your bread will get better as the starter matures! Trust me!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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mimilou
Farmgirl in Training
13 Posts
Mary Lou
Lancaster
PA
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2009 : 5:46:41 PM
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| I've used Arrowhead Mills from the beginning and it's worked great! Produced wonderfun breads, cakes etc. Also, it's relatively inexpensive. Good luck and enjoy. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2009 : 6:43:28 PM
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I am soo happy with my sourdough today! It must have been the Arrowhead Mills flour, because I made a loaf and left it in the bread pan on the counter today, covered wtih a tea towel. When we got back this evening, it was risen and ready to bake, it turned out beautifully! Nice and sour, but even my picky 7 year old loved it! Gorgeous results, on try #2 ! I'll try to include pictures later.
Cherian
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2009 : 1:55:28 PM
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Hi ladies - I got my first issue of Mary Jane's Farm in the mail today (love it) and it led me to this discussion - wow, now I want to get my own starter going again. I have had one a few times in the past - if it goes bad on the first attempt, my advice is throw it out, clean the kitchen, and try again!
So I have been using a starter from King Arthur for a while, and I keep it in the fridge. I read something a few pages back about different methods folks use to keep the starter in the fridge, and I wanted to share mine.
I keep it in a glass gallon jar (plenty of room to make a lot if I want to share or make a lot of bread) and I cover the top with a plastic sandwich bag - the fold-over kind. It is a pretty tight fit over the opening to the jar, and it will fill up with gas as the starter works after feeding. It must not be airtight, because it never pops, and I usually relieve the pressure just by pressing the bag (the gas is pressed out around where the bag meets the jar). This has been working well for a few months now. I've never had any mold in this starter, but I have lost a few on the counter. I don't keep the kitchen clean enough, I'm sure!
Great bread! And I bake in the summer in the bbq grill - better than no bread at all!
Georgiaberry
www.SunshineForDinner.com
www.georgiaberry.com
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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pamcook
True Blue Farmgirl
228 Posts
Pam
Chapel Hill
NC
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 05:32:55 AM
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Wow Georgiaberry! What a great solution. This week has been very hot and humid but (touch wood!) changing the cloth frequently seems to be the solution for keeping the mold away at my house. It could have nothing to do with it but I believe in magical solutions sometimes! LOL!
DD in Australia ended up throwing away her starter after the 3rd day (she gave it tap water 2 days in a row by feeding it before she was completely awake). She said after the 2nd time, it had no life left to it at all. Her new starter is working really well.
I was surprised to see that our Whole Foods stocks hard wheat berries in the bulk section (I tend to avoid that section because I want to over-indulge in all the nuts). Now I'm lurking ebay and craigslist hoping to find a great deal on a grinder. When I find one, I'm sure I'll have a million questions about storing wheat berries, how to grind it...
I had planned to make pretzels today but it's going to be in the 90's today - in the 70's in 2 days. I think I'll wait 2 more days.
www.ikat.org
www.longaberger.com/pamcook |
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GailMN
True Blue Farmgirl
471 Posts
Gail
Hutchinson
Minnesota
USA
471 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 06:38:05 AM
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I agree, I change the cloth over mother at least 3 times a week - and also keep the towel moist. I've not had a mold or any other type of problem, but. . . . I'm in Minnesota and have not experienced very hot and humid temperatures - yet. I've been spending long days in the garden and my yard, so I have had mother in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days at a time, but have had no problems with bringing her out, feeding her and baking the following day - I will watch her closely and probably follow this practice through my summer months. Hope all of you are having success as well. I did use mother in a boxed cake mix yesterday - I used a chocolate cake mix and replaced a cup of the water the directions called for with a cup of mother - I made cupcakes, they were very good.
Gail
Farmgirl Sister #506
Aim high; shoot for the moon and if you miss it, grab a star. |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2009 : 07:31:57 AM
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Hey Girls (and guys??)! The topic of pizza on the grill came up on another thread so I wanted to post some information here. This would be a great way to continue using your starter throughout the summer without having to heat up the kitchen.
Here is the link for the page with the pizza dough recipe http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28238&whichpage=32 You will need to scroll down about half way.
When cooking pizza on the grill it is important to keep your ingredients light and fresh. A pound of meat and a pound of cheese will never cook through! Also because it is quick cooking I often lightly precook things like onions and pepper just to get rid of the "raw" taste of them.
To cook pizza on the grill -
Brush the grates of the grill with a little bit of oil.
Over very high heat cook you pizza dough for just a minute or two on one side. Just until the dough is slightly crisp on the bottom and you start to see grill marks.
Flip your dough and move to the cool side of the grill. (If you use gas just leave one side of the burners off, for charcoal - stack more coals on one side leaving the other side cooler.)
IMMEDIATLY - add your toppings. Prepwork is important here. A few veggies and some fresh mozzerella are great. Fruit and goat cheese pair well together. If you like stronger cheeses like gorgonzolas, blues etc. they also work well paired with onions, olives or sturdy fruits like pears.
Make a foil tent over your pizza. This will help direct heat to melt the cheeses. Keep an eye on the bottom and turn the pizza as necessary. In just a few minutes it will be done!
The great thing is you can cut the dough small and everyone can create their own mimi-pizza to their tastes.
Let me know how your Summer Pizzas turn out! Post some pictures too! Have fun!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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daddzgirl9262
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Emilie
Gilbert
Arizona
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2009 : 9:49:06 PM
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Hey there!
I had to do a science fair project for my Agriculture class at school and I decided to use the organic bread starter. I tested using regular tap water and purified water. And just like it said in the article, the tap water ruined the starter. My starter turned a dark brown color and smelled horrible while my other started was doing fine. I documented the whole process ( baking and tasting included) and ended up taking first place in my division at the county fair! :) Now I am headed to the state competition for my FFA chapter. Once my project was finished, we dumped the bad starter and continued the other one making many loaves of fresh and yummy bread!
Thanks Majy Jane! :)
:D Smile Jesus Loves you! |
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urban farm girl
True Blue Farmgirl
80 Posts
Melissa
Posen
IL
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2009 : 02:52:57 AM
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| Hey good for you Emile that is so great!! I put my starter in the freezer had to many things going on and my oven just went out and we have to get a new one..now Julie threw out a great idea...so I'll bring out the mother and try pizza on the grill. |
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Quintessential Kate
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Kate
Tyler
TX
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2009 : 05:27:14 AM
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Congratulations Emilie!!!
And welcome to the farm as well. I lived in Tempe,AZ for almost 20 years.....and in Phoenix for about 5 years. Moved back to Texas almost 4 years ago........and I sure do miss Arizona, the desert and the mountains, BUT MOSTLY THE ARID CLIMATE!!!
Welcome again,
Kate
Heart of Texas
Chapter
AKA: Hot Farmgirl #234
http://quintessentialkate.blogspot.com
Today is my best day! |
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Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2009 : 07:45:01 AM
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Way to go Emilie!!!! Good luck with the state FFA competition.
I gave the pretzel recipe a try yesterday. Lets just say I was so full from "TRYING" them that I couldn't eat supper. They turned out great. I made them a little smaller so I ended up with more then 20. Plan to put some in the freezer and pull out in later days for a snack with melted cheese! yummmmmmm. 
Thanks for the recipe.
Oh and the grilled pizza, I make that in the summer not to heat the house. It was mentioned that less topping is the key. I will second that. Less is more. Always had made my crust with a package mix. Can't wait to give the sourdough a try. |
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daddzgirl9262
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Emilie
Gilbert
Arizona
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2009 : 3:57:56 PM
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Thanks everyone :]
I agree with you Kate about the beautiful desert and mountains but not the arid climate, way too hot! :P
I think my mom and I will have to try the pizza and then the pretzels :] Sounds yummy!
-Em
:D Smile Jesus Loves you! |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2009 : 7:17:32 PM
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I decided to try making bread the MJ way using organic wheat berry flour called Prairie Gold and distilled water. It's been covered with little bubbles on the top since about day 3 and boy, today (day 5) it's bubblin' like a witch's brew in a cauldron. The entire top is foamy with bubbles. It smells very yeasty and I think my first attempt is a success :) I can't wait to bake some bread from it.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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pamcook
True Blue Farmgirl
228 Posts
Pam
Chapel Hill
NC
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2009 : 06:34:47 AM
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I tried the pretzels using honey (1 T for 1/2 recipe). They turned out well but I don't think I baked them long enough - a bit doughy still. I have to bake the bread recipes longer, too. Yes, I'm going to buy an oven thermometer next time I'm out to see if my oven temps are off.
Emilie - great job! Congratulations!!!
www.ikat.org
www.longaberger.com/pamcook |
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petitshoo
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Jennifer
Dayton
OH
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2009 : 07:36:36 AM
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| I've got a batch of pretzels baking right now, but they aren't getting golden brown. Should I do an egg wash on top next time? |
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petitshoo
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Jennifer
Dayton
OH
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2009 : 07:59:15 AM
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And I just tasted one! They are so delicious. My 2 1/2 year old really had fun helping me make them.
I've loved having my starter. My bread hasn't turned out great yet, but we have Sourdough Pancakes every week now (I think my house is kept too cold for it to rise properly, gonna work on that next time....my husband likes it cold when he is home). Here is the Sourjack pancake recipe I use that my mother-in-law gave me (it's one from a place in Wyoming that has their own starter):
Sourjack Pancakes
Add to bowl and mix:
2 cups starter
1 egg
1 1/2 tbsp salad oil
1/4 cup buttermilk (regular milk worked fine too)
Add on top of wet (or mix in a separate bowl and add):
2T Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup flour
Mix until combined and let sit while heating up your cooking surface (I use my cast iron skillet). The batter should double in size. Make them whatever size you want and enjoy. (I sprinkle blueberries on them while on first side and then flip).
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JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2009 : 08:25:17 AM
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Well, I'm reporting in with my experience. My starter worked out okay, as it was hot last week, up in the high 70s and into the 80s here in Spokane. As I mentioned, my house is on the cool side, I like the windows open and don't put the heat over 65F in the winter. I left my starter on top of the fridge, to take advantage of any extra heat up there. However, when I went to bake on Sunday (day 7) it was cold, didn't get above 70, if that. so my bread didn't rise much in my cast iron pot, if at all. I let it go about 10 hours (due to circumstances of the day). When I put it in the oven, I got distracted re-reading the instructions and looking at the MJF "Simply Bee" magazine again and over baked it! So the bottom is very dark brown, and the bread is okay...I cut off the bottom and toasted two slices this morning. Tastes good, but I am so disappointed that I didn't set the timer. I have put my flour and water in today and will give it another go. The sourdough flapjacks sound great, Jennifer! Maybe sometime if I have company and want to make a big breakfast I'll try them.
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
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GailMN
True Blue Farmgirl
471 Posts
Gail
Hutchinson
Minnesota
USA
471 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2009 : 08:40:37 AM
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Jennifer - I'm anxious to try the Sourjack Pancakes, thanks for posting.
Judith - don't be discouraged - my starter was at least 6 weeks old before I consistently had the outcome I wanted with my bread. The starter worked great for cakes, cookies, pancakes and waffles until then. I am in Minnesota and also keep my house on the cool side during the winter months, my starter did fine at temps of 65 degrees. When I set the bread to raise, I did so in my oven with the light on and this worked well for me. Now with so much keeping me outside, I put the starter in the refrigerator, take out once a week, let it warm to room temp, feed and then use the next day. This is working well for me. I then feed the next day and put back in the refrigerator for a few days. Keep trying -
Gail
Farmgirl Sister #506
Aim high; shoot for the moon and if you miss it, grab a star. |
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Farm Kitchen: Bread the MaryJane Way |
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Bread the MaryJane Way
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