Challah made with Honey and Fresh Ground Wheat!

I have recently discovered Challah.  Oh YUM!  Let me just say that I could easily live on this bread!  It is an "eggy" bread and a sweet bread; or at least I make it sweet.  I have worked on this recipe for a while to make sure that it is as simple as possible.  You'll notice in this picture that I applied the egg wash and then let it rise. That is why you see dry spots. So let your bread rise and then apply the egg wash so the whole bread looks nice!

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water...at least 125 so it will not take as much time to rise
4 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 cup honey
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 eggs, plus one to brush on the bread
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 to 5 1/2 cups fresh milled hard white or hard red wheat

Directions:
Combine water and honey in a pot and warm on a stove.  Once it is warmed good, add that to your mixing bowl and turn on mixer.  I use a DLX, but a bosch will work just fine.  Add the eggs one at a time being sure not to cook the egg.  When the mixture is at approximately 125 to 130 degrees, add in your yeast, two cups of flour and then the butter and salt.  Mix well.  Let it rest for 20 minutes.  Turn your machine on again and add the remaining of the flour and set to knead for 8 minutes.

Remove from bowl and rub with oil.  Place back in the bowl and put a damp towel over the bowl.  Let it rest from 30 minutes to 3 hours; depending on your needs.  Honestly, this is very forgiving bread!

Remove from bowl and place on a cutting board with flour.  Knead it for about one minute and cut into three equal pieces.  Roll into logs about 12 to 16 inches long and then braid them together on stoneware.  Let it rest for another hour or two.  Brush with an egg.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven to a cooling rack and enjoy!

Pumpkin Loaves

I cook with whole wheat every day. Here is a favorite of my family. I often make this for breakfast as it is easy to whip together and is healthy!

3 1/2 to 4 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/4 cups honey
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin
1 cup Extra Light Olive Oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 cup water

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Comine the pumpking, oil, eggs and water; mix well. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until combined. Divide evenly between two loaf pans that have been buttered. Place in a pre-heated oven of 350 for 45 minutes. Cover with foil and drop the temp to 325 for another 25 minutes or until knife stuck in the center comes out clean. Cool for about ten minutes before removing from loaf pan.

ENJOY!

Cheese Sauce for Brocolli

You may divide this recipe if you would like. I have a large family and this makes enough sauce to cover six large florets of broccoli. We love fresh vegetables and a healthy sauce to dress them up, makes for a great side dish!

Cheese Sauce for Broccoli

1/2 Stick of butter
1/2 cup of fresh ground flour
1 1/2 cup whipping cream or fresh cream from your cow
4 to 5 cups grated cheddar cheese

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over a medium high heat. Slowly add the flour to create a thick paste. While still on the heat, slowly add cream...whisking the whole time. Once the sauces is smooth, add all of the cheese. Whisk until smooth. Taste to make sure you have enough cheese, if not, add more. Feel free to add Worcestershire sauce for added flavoring!

Add to broccoli or cauliflower or even mashed potatoes...and then let me know how you enjoyed this recipe.

Happy Cooking with Fresh Flour!