Side Dishes

Homemade Challah

Dear Sis,

We recently signed up for PJ Library. The kids are enjoying the books that come each month and I enjoy sharing Jewish tradition with them with fun age appropriate stories and activities. Charlotte’s most recent board book had a recipe for Challah in the back and both the kids were eager to make it!

Baking Challah in Bulk Batches

Having fresh challah on hand for shabbat and holidays can be as easy as pulling it out of the freezer early in the day. This recipe makes 6 traditional loaves or 12 mini loaves for smaller families who don’t need a full loaf for a single meal. Toppings and add-ins create variety. This time me made two sugar topped with chocolate chips added, two loaves cinnamon sugar topped raisins added, and two loaves topped with sesame seeds. 

Ingredients

  • 5 c + 1 T warm water, divided
  • 4 t dry active yeast
  • 1 c granulated sugar
  • 1 (5 lb. bag) unbleached bread flour
  • 4 eggs, divided
  • 1 avocado cup oil, divided
  • 2 T salt

Dough Preparation

  1. Dissolve yeast in 5 c warm water, in a large non-metal bowl. Stand until dissolved. Meanwhile, in another bowl whisk together 1/2 the flour and the salt. 
  2. Stir sugar into yeast mixture until dissolved. Stir in remaining flour, 3 eggs, and 1/2 c oil to make a pasty dough.
  3. Stir in 1 c salted flour at a time until too thick. Then knead in each addition until dough is smooth an elastic. Brush surface of dough with oil. Cover and rise 2 hours. 

Shaping Loaves

  1. Divide dough into loaf portions, 6 regular or 12 mini. Working with one loaf portion at a time, divide into 4-6 portions and roll out. I prefer 4 strands because it makes a narrow loaf that is perfect for my kids little hands:)
  2. If you wish to incorporate add-ins, press flatten the dough length a bit and arrange the raisins, milk chocolate chips, or other add-in in the center. Then fold the dough around the raisins and roll to seal and reshape into a rope. 
  3. Braid the loaf. Video tutorial: How to Braid Challah 
  4. Place loaves on parchment lined baking sheets, 2 loaves or 4 mini loaves per sheet. Brush with oil, cover, and rise 45 minutes.

Baking

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, beat together an egg and 1 T warm water to make an egg wash.
  2. Brush each loaf with egg wash.
  3. If you wish to add toppings to your loaves, now is the time. We put sugar on our chocolate chip loaves, cinnamon sugar on our raisin loaves, and sesame seeds on our plain loaves.
  4. Bake 20-30 minutes. Baking time varies by loaf size. 

Freezing Loaves for Later Use

  1. Wrap warm loaves in foil. Place in freezer bag. Cool completely. Freeze for later.
  2. Thaw early in the day you intend to use the loaf. Serve challah at room temperature or reheat in foil covering to serve warm.

Shabbat Shalom!

Love,

b




Steak with Peppered Gravy and Mashed Potatoes

Dear Sis,

Josh has always enjoyed chicken fried steak. He has even made it from scratch for us, but we both agreed it was a lot of work! I decided to try making it without messing with fuss of breading it. This meal comes together quickly and nothing is missing from the taste:)

Steak with Peppered Gravy

b
All the flavor of chicken fried steak without the extensive preparation.
Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 thin sliced beef steaks
  • 1 c milk
  • 2 T flour
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat skillet over medium high heat. Arrange steaks in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Turn over and season other side.
  • Pan fry steaks to desired doneness. Remove to a serving platter and cover with foil.
  • Stir flour into pan drippings. Whisk in milk, stirring until thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle grazy over steak and serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.




Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

b
The creamy rich delight of homemade mashed potatoes in less time.
Print Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 red skin potatoes
  • 5 c water
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/4 c salted butter
  • 1/4 c heavy cream
  • 1/4 c sour cream
  • 1/2 t garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Slice potatoes into 1/4 inch slices. Place in pressure cooker with water and salt.
  • Seal and pressure cook 8 minutes.
  • Quick release pressure. Drain water.
  • Add remaining ingredients and mash until smooth.

Love,

b

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Fabulous Fish Party

Dear Sis,

It’s hard to believe that Evelyn is three already! She looks amazing in her Fabulous Fish Party Dress. It was nice that we had a half dozen kids to craft, snack, and play together. A proper big girl birthday party!

Crafts

Paper Plate Fish Bowl Craft

We started with teal colored paper plates. I squeezed out a bit of white school glue on the bottom of each plate and the kids arranged dry beans in it. Then we taped, pipe cleaner, seaweed down with scotch tape. Finally, the kids added foam stickers. I found these particular stickers at Michaels. 

Painted Wooden Whale

I found these wooden whale cutouts in the dollar bins at Michaels. I gave each kiddo a squirt of gray and blue acrylic paint and a sponge brush. When they were finished painting, I let them dust it with silver glitter. Here is a picture of our little artists at work:

Sand Art

I purchased kits to make this craft at our local Dollar Tree. 

Menu

Fish Sticks

Seashell Mac n Cheese (recipe below)

Cracker Barrel Carrots

Cake and Ice Cream

Cake inspired by Fish Cake Tutorial on My Cake School

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

b
Creamy dreamy homemade macaroni and cheese to bake, slow cook, or freeze for later.
Print Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound medium shell pasta cooked al dente
  • 3 c medium cheddar shredded
  • 1 c gouda shredded
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 3/4 c mayonnaise
  • 3/4 c sour cream
  • 1 t onion powder
  • 1/2 t dry mustard
  • 1/2 t ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Rinse cooked pasta in cold water. Combine all ingredients.
  • To bake: place in a large casserole dish, cover with foil, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more.
  • To slow cook: place in the crock of a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1.5-2 hours. Stirring as needed.
  • To freeze for later: portion in foil pans, cover with wax paper, wrap in foil, and seal in a ziplock bag. Thaw and bake when needed.

I got this recipe last fall from my neighbor Nina. It is now a family staple!

 

Happy Birthday to a very special niece!

Love,

b

Asparagus Supreme

Dear Sis,

I’ve been in the market for an easy asparagus recipe for some time. I stumbled upon it by chance in a cookbook (Taste of Home: Almost Homemade 2013) I found at our local little free library. It was a great trade for a dozen kids books we don’t need anymore! I’m always looking for time-friendly ways to cook for my family.

Asparagus Supreme

b
Print Recipe
Course Side Dish
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. asparagus 1 inch pieces
  • 2 T onion soup mix
  • 1 T butter melted
  • 1/3 c mozzarella or monterey jack shredded

Instructions
 

  • Bring 1/2 inch water to a boil in a saucepan. Add asparagus and cook 3 minutes. Drain. Pour into a square baking dish.
  • Combine seasoning and butter. Drizzle over asparagus. Top with cheese.
  • Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes.

I prep-ed dinner during nap time, while William built this “Tower of Powder!” He decided to build it on the table so baby sister wouldn’t wreck it upon waking:)

Love,

b

 

Homemade Bread Bowls

Dear Sis,

William has been asking about getting broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl from Panera. We made it at home, since it’s so much trouble to go out at the moment.

Homemade Bread Bowls

Print Recipe
Servings 8 bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 3 c warm water
  • 1 1/2 T dry active yeast
  • 2 T sugar
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/4 c butter melted
  • 7-9 c bread flour
  • 1 T milk
  • 1 egg white

Instructions
 

  • Combine water, yeast, and 1/2 t sugar in a small bowl. Stir to dissovle yeast. Cover and stand until foamy.
  • In large bowl combine, salt, 2 t sugar, butter, yeast mixture, and 4 c flour. Mix, adding additional flour 1/2 c at a time until dough pulls away from the bowl.
  • Knead until smooth. Oil bowl and dough. Cover and rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Divide dough into 8 pieces. Form balls. Place on parchment lined sheet. Cut an X into the top of each ball. Cover with plastic and rise 30-40 minutes more.
  • Make egg wash with milk and egg white and brush over dough. Bake 25 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
  • Remove bread from loaf center to create bowls. Ladle in soup and serve.
  • Freeze loaves wrapped in pastic and inside a freezer bag. Thaw on counter and warm in over before using.

Enjoy!

Love,

b

Homemade Pizza Dough to Share

Dear Sis,

We have given out cookies four times in the last week and a half. Today we decided to share something a bit different with some of our neighbors and friends.

Each kit contains dough for two pizzas, wrapped in plastic wrap, a small bag of cornmeal, and an instruction print out in a freezer bag.

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

Homemade Pizza Instruction Printable

Happy Sharing!

Love,

b

Mac n Cheese… Can You Guess the Secret Ingredient?

Dear Sis,

Today we made Macaroni and Cheese with a secret ingredient. One would never guess it was butternut squash!!!!!

 

Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Serves 8
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Save Recipe
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Ingredients
  1. 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  2. 2 c chicken stock
  3. 2 t dijon mustard
  4. 2 c shredded Gouda
  5. 3 c shredded Cheddar, divided
  6. 1 c whole milk
  7. 3/4 c greek yogurt
  8. 1 pound mini penne, cooked
  9. 2 T butter, melted
  10. 1 c Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Simmer squash in stock for 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
  3. Stir in mustard and 2 c each gouda and cheddar until melted and smooth. Stir in milk and yogurt until smooth.
  4. Stir in cooked pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
  5. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs, remaining c of cheddar, and melted butter.
  6. Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly and warmed through.
Notes
  1. When smaller batches are desired, I used two 8x8 pans and freeze one for later. Don't bake the one for the freezer until it is thawed and ready to go on serving day.
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

This is my new favorite mac n cheese recipe! Though I probably still use my old one on time crunch days:)

Love,

b

Personal Pan Pizza

Dear Sis,

William and I are have been working to plan his third birthday party. He has decided on a Construction Theme and he wants pizza, so we will have a “Build a Pizza” Bar for the kids and picky grown ups and just make a few larger pizzas for those who aren’t interested in building their own:) In any case, we had to test our recipe for yield and baking time.

Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

This recipe yields 6 personal pan pizzas.

Baking time 12-14 minutes.

Along with our usual Broccoli Chicken Ranch and Meat Lovers Pizza, we tried a few new things too that were just as good if not better than our old favorites:)

BBQ Chicken Pizza: BBQ Sauce, Shredded Rotisserie Chicken, and Shredded Mozzarella 

Caprese Pizza: Ranch Dressing, Diced Tomato, Shredded Mozzarella, Torn Fresh Basil

Love,

b