Crock-pot Meat Sauce

1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef/turkey
2  -  14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes with juice
1  - 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1  -  6 ounce can tomato paste
1 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper chopped (approximately 1 cup - it is fine if you go over that)
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
dash ground red pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparation:

In a large skillet, cook meat over medium heat until no longer pink.

Add meat crockpot, along with all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

Serves 8 to 10. Sauce can be frozen.

6 Reasons to Use a Crock-pot or Slowcooker

Ham and Bean Soup made in the Crock-pot

As I said in yesterday's post, I use the crock-pot all year around, but traditionally this is the time of the year that people seem to use it more. The days are shorter and it is dark by the time you get home from work so making dinner usually is the last thing we might want to do.  A crock-pot can give you inexpensive, healthy, hot meals.  I can tell you that it is the one appliance in my kitchen I know I can't live without and use it at least once a week.

If you haven't used one, please take a look at all these great reasons you should start.....

1. Saves Time - Place food in the crock and then walk away.  You don't have to watch the pot - monitoring or stirring.

2. Easy to use - You just layer the foods in the crock, turn it on and walk away until dinner.  Using a crock-pot doesn't require culinary skills.

3.  Inexpensive - It is an inexpensive kitchen appliance that gives you so much. You can use less expensive cuts of meat because the process of slow cooking makes them tender. It also uses less power than the oven.  So you save money using it several ways.

4. Healthy - Many recipes or foods you cook in the crock-pot don't need butter, oil or fat added.  You can make so many wonderfully healthy dishes full of flavor.

5.  Easy Clean-up with Removable Crocks - After the meal, just take that crock out and soak it in the sink and wash clean.  Some removable crocks are dishwasher safe so cuts your cleaning down even more. It ends up being the dish you use to prepare, cook and serve so less dishes to clean.

6. Good Meals - It creates good meals that taste good and usually gives you extra meals. You can cook a piece of meat that can serve not only dinner for tonight, but freeze left overs and reheat later for a quick meal, or use extra meal to create a totally different meal later. Such as making a pot roast and then using left over roast into beef stroganoff or stew.


Recipe for Ham & Bean Soup in the Crock-pot

Slow Cooking November

I love to use my crock-pot all year round. I like that in the summer it doesn't  heat up the kitchen like the oven does and that  in the cooler seasons of fall and winter the wonderful smells coming from it just makes the house seem warmer. I have 4 crock-pots in the house - 2 aren't even used for food, but wax. (Yes one of the crock-pots is used for kinky use of wax, but the other is for art.)

For the rest of the month here at Domestic Servitude we will having all sorts of helpful posts on crock-pots from what kind to buy, tips and tricks, book reviews and LOTS of recipes. We hope you will come by and read the posts and pass them on to your friends.

So starting this month of slow cooking with a recipe...

Pork and Black Beans for Tacos

2 cans of black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 pound boneless pork loin roast
1 can Rotel (with liquid - 10 ounce can of diced tomatoes with green chiles)
1 can diced tomatoes (with liquid - 14.5 ounce can)
1 can green chiles (4 ounce can)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2  teaspoon ground cumin

Trim all the fat off the pork roast, cut in half. Season with the chili powder, oregano and ground cumin. Place in the pork in the bottom of the crock-pot and then pour the other ingredients in over it.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Shred pork and stir in with other ingredients. Eat immediately or continue to cook on low adding water if liquids begin to evaporate. If there is too much liquid, cook without lid for a bit.

Serve on top of tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Autumn Treats

Here are just a few sweet treats we have already posted on the blog in years past....plus a few links at the bottom from elsewhere that look good too.

1. Pumpkin Cheesecake

2. Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Icing

3. Raisin Spice Cookies

4. Snickerdoodle Pie

5. Snickerdoodle Bars

6. Pumpkin Wonton

7. Vanilla Crumb Cake

8. Apple Butter (no photo)

A few treats I found via Pinterest....

Cinnamon Apple Dessert Chimichangas

Petite Pumpkin Donuts

 Caramel Apple Crumb Bars

Whole Wheat Spice Latte Pumpkin Muffins

Scarecrow Crunch

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Simplest Apple Tart

Friday Favorites

DIY Monster Candy Dishes - just cute especially if having a Halloween party
Honey Crisp Sangria - looks yummy and prefect for fall
Using Apple Slicer for Potatoes - great tip
Painting Tips - from Martha Stewart
13 Reasons You need a Cast Iron Skillet - something I am wanting to get

It is time for...Fall Cleaning

I love fall cleaning almost more then spring cleaning. I think it is because I just love that chill that starts hitting the air. Nesting kicks into high gear for me.....cleaning, cooking, and doing crafts and decorating in prep for the holidays. So this weekend, I have been making lists,  going over things to make sure I have supplies on hand and mapping out my schedule.

Fall Cleaning Lists - Download and Print:

Kitchen
Dining Room
Closets and Laundry Room
Living Room, Family Room and Office
Bedroom
Bathroom
Basement, Attic and Garage
Outside
Smaller General List


How-to's:
Cleaning Your Ceiling Fan
Cleaning the Kitchen Trash Can
Tips for Vacuum Care
Cleaning Your Computer
How-to Wash Pillows
Cleaning the Toaster
Cleaning the Microwave
How to Clean Your Dishwasher


General Information:
5 Decorating Mantras to Live By
10 Simple Things to Make You Happier at Home
10 Habits for a Well-Run Home
100 Reason to Get Rid of It - this link has all sorts of resources for items you want to get rid of

Friday Favorites

Shorten Jeans and Keep the original hem - This is a fabulous way to keep the original hem on pants or jeans but still make alterations to them.

Use a Golf Tee to Fix a Door Hinge  - how to fix that wiggle door when the screw has been stripped and left with a hole that won't hold anything

10 Simple Things to Make You Happier at Home  - nice list of simple things

Learn to Sew - an eight part series on learning to sew

Heirloom Tomato Pizza - from Martha Stewart

Friday Favorites

Warm Black Bean Dip - with football season here having an afternoon snack with the game is a must so this recipe looks pretty good for that

Free Wash Cloth Patterns - knitted wash clothes - I know both the crocheted and knitted washcloths I have received as gifts are some of my favorite wash clothes.

Storage Boxes - she just covered ordinary boxes in jute to make cute storage boxes (she has another photo of them here)

10 Recipes using Ground Beef - we always seem to have some ground beef or turkey in the freezer so having some recipes to refer to is always a good idea when in a pinch and needing a meal. These might help you find some go-to dishes and it looks like none of them use a cream of something soup...which although very convenient is a nice change.

How to Paint a Door like a Pro - Our front door is in desperate need of painting. The sun hits it all year around - and heats it up and creates sun spots which eventually lead to cracking in the paint and then flaking. I can't hang a wreath on our front door or anything really because it melts it not matter what it is made out of it something always melts on it - glue or other materials it is made out of so the sun is not my friend for the front door. So really needing that how-to as it is that time to paint the door.

Crab Rangoon

When I was growing up, I was the only odd ball in my family to not like Chinese food. My family would go to a Chinese restaurants and I would have to find something to eat. One thing I liked was Crab Rangoon. Over the years Chinese food is my go-to food as I love it almost as much as chocolate. 

I started making crab rangoons was because I wanted to make something for a party. I have served these at all sorts of parties as well as when I entertain at the holidays. I have made them for Thanksgiving as an appetizer even though they don't really go with the Thanksgiving food theme, but they were a nice change that people seemed to enjoy.  

Crab rangoons is time consuming because you are filling each little pocket of crabby cream cheesy goodness. But the end results are always worth it. I fold my differently then you will normally see, because I have found that the filling doesn't come out as much folding it half  to form a triangle. I have tried to make the ones that are baked before, but never had luck with them working. But that was before I switched how I fold them/seal them - now in the triangle. So I should try that sometime, but for now my go-to recipe for Crab Rangoon....

Crab Rangoon

8 ounces of cream cheese (softened - at room temperature)
1 cup flaked imitation crab meat (or fresh)
3 green onions (minced)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 package won ton wrappers
water (for sealing edges)
oil (for frying)

*  In a bowl combine the cream the cream cheese, sugar, soy sauce, green onions and garlic powder. Stir in the crab meat. (Make sure the crab is flaked and/or chopped into small pieces - although when mixing it in it will start to flake apart more and that is works even better)

* Lay out a won ton wrapper so it forms a diamond shape and place 1 teaspoon of filling just below the center of each wrapper.

* Moisten edges with water and fold over the edges of the wrapper to make a triangle. Press to seal with either your fingers or a fork.

* Cover the completed Crab Rangoon with a damp towel or paper towel to keep them from drying out while preparing the remainder. If they dry out before cooking, they tend to break their seal when frying. 

* Heat deep pan or a wok with oil for deep-frying. When oil is hot (360 - 375 degrees),carefully place the Crab Rangoon into the oil in the pan. Do not to overcrowd the pan or they will stick together. Deep-fry until they are golden, about 3 minutes, turn once during cooking. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Serve hot with Sweet and Sour Sauce or Chinese Hot Mustard.



NOTES:
* I always just use water for sealing my won tons, but if you are having problems with them sealing you can use an egg wash

* Each batch that is done, I put on a cookie sheet in the oven on low to keep warm before serving. But they are good room temperature if you have to transport to a party. 

* I have frozen fried Crab Rangoon and then reheated in oven so they retrain their crisp exterior. 

* If you have any left over crab rangoon cream cheese mixture - which I do sometimes and other times I don't even though it is the same recipe - I will heat the crab mixture in an oven safe bowl and use as a dip with some pita chips. 

Cleaning Your Ceiling Fan

About a month ago I posted a tip on dusting the ceiling fan, but today I am going to actually write about cleaning the ceiling fan that uses the same technique with the pillowcase, but takes it one step further when the blades are really needing to be cleaned not just dusted.

When you have blades that are dusty and just holding on to dirt, it can send all that flying when you turn on the blades.  That means allergies can be kicked up and as if we don't have enough allergens in a normal house and seasonal living.

I like to actually clean not just dust the ceiling fan during my seasonal cleaning. And soon I will be throwing myself into my fall cleaning routine so thought I would share how I clean the ceiling fan during my seasonal cleaning.

Supplies:
Old Pillowcase
Extra cleaning cloth such as a microfiber cloth
Spray bottle with water and vinegar
Ladder
Optional: Drop cloth


1. If you want for extra protection, place down drop clothes over furniture and under the area of the ceiling fan.  I often don't do this often, because I use the nifty pillow case trick, but also I start my cleaning a room by cleaning the ceiling fan so any dust and dirt that falls from it will be cleaned up during the rest of my normal cleaning.

2. Take a spray bottle and fill it with warm water and 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. Spray the inside of the of the pillowcase with the mixture.

3. Standing on a ladder, slip the pillowcase over a blade and pull it back and forth to clean the blade.

4. You will notice dirt on the inside of the pillowcase as you take it off and move to the next blade. Spritz a clean part of the pillowcase and slip it over the blade and pull it back and forth like you did on the first blade. Continue doing this with each blade.

5. Take your cleaning cloth and clean the light fixture, base of the fan and any residual dirt and grime on the blades.

6. Take the pillowcase outside and shake out the dust and dirt and then launder.

If you have a ceiling fan that is very high, I don't recommend climbing on a ladder to clean it. If it is over 12 feet from the ground, I would get an actual ceiling fan duster from your local hardware store. They even have extensions to buy if you need to to go even longer.

Friday Favorites

Feta, Cheddar and Spinach Muffins - They look pretty and sound tasty
Plywood Painted Floor - seems like a way that would be inexpensive but able to cover up some ugly flooring 
Guide to Knives that you Actually need - getting my knives up to what I think I need has been a task I have been working for several years. 
Blank Printable Calendar - to help get more organized - would be great if you do a household binder. 
Adding a New Tree to your Landscape - video has tips for planting trees

2 Beauty and Body Care Book Reviews

Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homeade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin and  a Vibrant Self
by Stephanie Tourles

Although this book is put together nicely and has some good information, I wouldn't say it offered me anything I can't find online and some information in the book to me wasn't good for you.  This book has a nice introduction about eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, getting rest - but again all the stuff you can find online. It has a nice listing of how long things last, but not sure I would trust it though.  This book doesn't offer a lot vegan options either.  It has many animal based products in it with no alternative mentioned. The thing that really bothered me and I felt was bad information was that it uses things like borax and petroleum jelly in recipes. Borax while being a natural based product is still toxic and putting that on my skin doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Again the same thing with petroleum jelly - not something I really want to use as an ingredient on my skin when I am trying to move away from things like that. Of course there were plenty of recipes in there that actually were organic non-toxic and using things around your house such as honey or oatmeal. But over all I am not sure that a book that uses borax as something you use on your skin - is a book a trust with the rest of the recipes or information provided.

GREEN BEAUTY RECIPES: Easy Homemade Recipes to Make Your Own Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care and Body Care Products
 by Julie Gabriel

I liked this book better but again it has some problems. The editing on it isn't great. There are missing ingredients, words spelled wrong and I read the kindle edition is just a draft of the book and even worse.  It has the use of a product called Cetyl alcohol which is used in one of the first basic recipes of the book as emulsifier is actually an emollient. So the basic recipe in the book doesn't work from the start because of bad information. It also will mention an ingredient or how long it lasts in the description, but down in the recipe it either leaves out that ingredient or has different information all together.  So it can get confusing.

One thing I am looking for also that I can't seem to find a positive answer to is how long products last.  Some books say one thing, another says something different and then some books tell different time frames on the same products.  It just doesn't make much sense.

Out of these 2 books, I did like the recipes in Green Beauty better.  I am not sure I would buy either of these books, but checking them out from the library to take a look at isn't a bad idea. You might find some recipes or information that is helpful.

Dusting the Ceiling Fan

A house I lived in years ago practically had a ceiling fan in every room and I got to the point of hating them not only because I am not especially fond of their looks, but cleaning them has always been a pain.  Here we only have one ceiling fan and it is in the bedroom.  It is needed in the summer time or we would never stay remotely comfortable when the temps reach 109 degrees during July and August.

I really dislike this ceiling fan because it is pretty much right over the bed no matter how we arrange the room.  I have used all sorts of cleaning methods over the years to dust the blades, but I have always been annoyed that I was basically dusting it on to the bed creating more work for myself.  Finally....I found the solution....using an old pillow case.

* Slide a pillow case over a blade of the ceiling fan.
* Hold one end and pull it along the blade. The dust and debris fall into the pillow case and not all over the room. 
* After doing this to each blade, take the pillow case outside and turn it inside out, shake out the dust and debris, and then launder. 

Friday Favorites

DIY Drop Cloth Stenciled Curtains  -  I think this would be an inexpensive way to replace curtains throughout the house.  I just wonder if they look as nice as they do in the photo as I really am thinking this is something I am going to do for our bedroom and the kitchen and dining room.

Staining Oak Cabinets Espresso  - again something I would love to do and this blog makes it look not as difficult as I thought it would be

Organization Board Tutorial -  a board with all the things  I need in one place. Very stylish too! I love the idea of putting them in frames and using them as dry erase boards with the printable check list under the glass.

Clean and Regrease a Kitchen Aid Mixer  - just something that might be helpful to those of us with Kitchen Aid Mixers

Thai Peanut Slaw - this is a different recipe then I usually see...I love the thought of the dressing. I really want to try this and add some grilled chicken to it for a good summer time meal

Tomato Bacon Salad

We had a BBQ to go to and of course about about a week before the party I started to worry about what to bring.  It said to bring  a "side" on the invitation.  Well, I normally bring desserts to any function I go to because I love to bake and people know I bake and enjoy my baked goods.  So seeing side meant to me bringing something to go with the main entree which was grilled venison. Add in we were going to be out of town up til the morning of the party so I needed something I could just easily pick up the ingredients that morning on our way back in town or have on hand at home.  It needed to be something that didn't require a lot of prep work or cook time as I just wouldn't have the time. 

I was flipping through an old Food & Wine magazine and came across a recipe that I adapted because it wasn't exactly what sounded good to me - as I don't like blue cheese and I didn't like the sound of dijon vinaigrette at that moment - but I am sure it would be good with it too.  This is what I ended up making...

Tomato Bacon Salad
3 lbs tomatoes at least 3 different kinds chopped- I did 4 kinds
1/2 lb cooked bacon - crumbled
1 small container feta cheese
balsamic vinaigrette (homemade or bottled) - to taste - start with 1/2 cup and keep moving up - I think I used about 1 cup.

Toss all ingredients to mix. Refrigerate until serving. The flavors will soak in and marinate the tomatoes.  

Refrigerate any leftovers - if there are any.  We came home with less than 1/2 cup.

Cleaning the Kitchen Trash Can

Even with a trash bag in your trash can liquid and food particles can escape and cause nasty things to grow and create bacteria that not only smell nasty but produce things we don't want to touch or breath . Every time I change the trash bag out, I spray my normal all-purpose cleaner on the inside and outside.  It has disinfecting properties to it.  I let it air dry before putting in a new bag.

But every so often (about once a month to every 6 weeks), I wash and do a more thorough cleaning of the trash can. This will not only work for your kitchen trash can but all the other trash cans in your home. When cleaning the trash cans I bring to the curb, I just do this process but outside with the hose.

We have a shower that as detachable sprayer/hose so that it isn't fixed position. I use the sprayer on it to rinse off with hot water.  I  fill it up about 1/3 of the way with hot water and liquid dish soap and let it soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.  Then take a scrub brush to it and give it a good cleaning.   Making sure I get all the corners, around ridges and the lip of the trash can.

If you don't have a shower you can use, then use your tub and a pitcher to fill with water and pour over your trash can.   You can also use the outside hose even though it isn't hot water working with all purpose cleaner and soap will get it clean.  

After you have washed it in the shower (or tub or outside), let air dry or pat dry.  Then spray with an disinfecting all-purpose cleaner and either dry with a towel or allow to air dry.  You can also leave it to dry in the sun and the sun will help in destroying any other lingering bacteria.

Friday Favorites

Mojito Cheesecake Bites - when I shared this earlier this week with someone she called me an evil temptress. I can think of worse things to be called. :) They looks so good how could I not share!

Mother Earth News Canning Guide - shares the science behind it, why we should can, lots of resources and recipes. 

How to Clean Stoneware - I think this sounds interesting. There are times I wish my stoneware was clean again. But I do like the baked on look it has - makes it easier to peel things off of it too. But do read the comments on this one too. I saw at least one comment talk about their stoneware broke in the high heat.

DIY Body Butter Recipes - I have been looking through a lot of body lotion recipes. I have been wanting to make my own for a long time as I break out from so many lotions on the store shelves because of added scents and no doubt other ingredients I don't understand on the list of ingredients. I was also gifted a block of beeswax not too long ago so put me on the path to looking into this sooner than later.  So hopefully I will have some photos and recipe posted here soon. But at least wanted to share this link for now. 

Coursera - they partner with top universities to offer FREE classes. Many don't deal with domestic arts but some might come in use in household management such as some of the nutritional classes or finance. 

Vintage Pillowcase Apron Tutorial

A few months ago, I found some hand-embroidered vintage pillowcases at the thrift store.  I picked them up for a screaming deal and figured I'd find a use for them if not for a bed then maybe a quilt.  I made a skirt from one that I have to say is so cool and comfortable I know I'll be living it in during the hot days of July and August.

Another I turned into an adorable apron and figured I'd share just how you can do it too.

Step 1.  Cut the pillow-case to the desired length.  Leave the bottom edge in tact (if possible) so that it becomes the bottom of the apron and doesn't need hemmed.

Step 2. Cut the pillow case sides, so that it's no longer a tube but rather two separate pieces of fabric.  Hem the raw edges.  Do this by rolling the edge over and pressing with an iron, then roll and press again so that the raw edge is tucked inside.  Sew a stitch all the way around these rolled hems. 
 
Step 3.  Make the aprons strings.  From the leftover pillow case fabric.  Cut two strips 3 inches wide and as long as needed to tie around the waist.  Fold the strips in half, long-wise.  Run a seam down the open end, using 3/8" allowance.  Do this on both strips.  Turn the strips right-side out.  I use a knitting needle to do this but chopsticks, even pencils work.  The strips are basically a long tube at this point.  Fold the raw open ends of the tube inside and press the entire strip flat.

Step 4: Attach the strings by running a stitch in the shape of a square around the string and top corner of the apron.  Seal the other end by running a stitch down the edge.

Step 5: Wear proudly! 

Guest Post: Laundry Soap Recipe

Guest Post by teacup

 Trying to budget? To make the most of a dollar? Me too. Seeing a recipe online for some homemade laundry detergent was an inspiration...Yeah, I am certain there are many recipes out there (even one here by kaya) and they may all do a fairly decent job.

My goal is to save some money where it counts....bottle detergent just seems to be getting higher and higher in cost. When using less expensive detergent, it seems to come out of the bottle like water. So I  am not sure how much detergent is actually in there.

I had seen a recipe on Pinterest. I went out and bought the ingredients and in less than 15 minutes I had made a couple years supply of detergent for less than $25.00 that was including a fabric softener in there. If that was excluded, it would be less than $15.00 for a couple years supply so my mission was accomplished. Having detergent and saving money. (An alternative to fabric softener is vinegar.)


The test was using the detergent I made...it went very well. The clothes were clean, had a great scent to them, and clothes that I typically hang were soft and held the nice scent of the fabric softner. The clothes that were dried in the dryer came out very nice. Towels were soft and fluffy and no static cling at all...so meeting those requirements were a plus for me.  At this point, I am totally happy with the results and even more with the cost...using only 2 Tblsp of the end product will make the detergent last me a very long time...most likely years. I typically do no more than 2 loads of laundry per week.  I re-used the bottles that the Purex fabric softener Crystals came in to put the detergent in for easy pouring and the cap filled half way or so was all I needed.

Ingredients:
1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing soda  ($3.49)
2 boxes of baking soda (2 boxes for .98 - I used generic)
2 bottles Purex Crystals ($10.46 - optional all-together - you can use just one too...but I prefer a stronger scent so I used 2 )
2 bars of Fels-Naptha bar soap  ($2.08, I used a cheese grater to start but it was taking too long...so I broke out my old salad shooter and in 2 min. I had both bars grated...and I just crumbled it into the bucket...I hear using a food processer works too)
1 box of Borax ($3.38)
1 3lb box of Oxi Clean ($3.25 - got on sale.)

for a total of $23.64

To mix it all up I reused a clean old kitty litter bucket, but using a 5 gal bucket to mix it all in is recommended.

also add OxiClean 

grating soap

upcycle the Purex Crystal containers to use for easy adding to  washer

teacup Bio: Sometimes one just needs to be given the right map and then there are times when one just needs to make a leap of faith into the unknown. I'm a service-oriented slave from the suburbs of Chicago even though my heart lies in the beauty of Colorado. Even though the distance seems vast sometimes, I can't wait for opportunities to venture west to be with my family. I may be a little late comer to the lifestyle, but I'm forever amazed at what I've been missing out on. I have a wide array of interests and likes including photography, day trips, night excursions, football (Go Bears!), my pets and finding more efficient ways of doing things whether it's on the computer or the chores we all seem to have. FetLife Profile

Hoagie Rolls

It seems I have been making rolls about once a week this summer.  We like sandwich type meals in the summer time. I use the rolls for hamburgers, brats, Italian sausages with peppers and onions, Philly cheese steaks, steak torta, pulled pork or chicken,  deli lunch meat and just every type of sandwich under the sun. 

Recently I had a roast in the freezer I wanted to get rid of it.  I threw it into the crockpot with a whole onion chopped and several cups of beef broth.  When it got tender and just ready to fall apart, I took 2 forks and shredded it and then we had it on hoagie rolls with cheese. I used the liquid in the crockpot as an au jus to dunk our sandwiches in.  It was a nice way to have a roast in the summer. 


I use this recipe to make hamburger buns as well as hoagies. 

Rolls
Recipe adapted from The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons instant potato flakes
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour 
2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast (or 1 1/4 teaspoons SAF yeast)

Optional:
2 tablespoons herbs



1. Place ingredients in machine according to the manufacturers instructions. Program with Dough cycle.

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or spray with cooking spray. When the cycle ends, press Stop and unplug the machine. Immediately turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With a knife, divide into 8-12 equal portions depending on size you want your rolls. For hamburger dough form each into tight rounds. For long hotdog buns or hoagie rolls, flatten each portion into an oval about 6-inches long and rolling tightly from a long end to form a cylinder. Place rolls on to the baking sheet at least 1-inch apart. Press with your palm to flatten each roll slightly. Cover loosely with plastic wrap that is coated with cooking spray and let rest for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

4. Bake for 15 to 22 minutes, depending on the size of roll until lightly browned. Remove the roll from the baking sheet with a spatula and let cool on a rack. Slice horizontally to serve.


My Notes:
*My bread machine has a timer that goes off when you can add in items such as herbs.  So I add it in there. If you have one that doesn't, just add it in when you would add in sugar and salt.  My favorite to add is basil - fresh or dried - either is great. 

* I like making the hoagies slightly smaller than a traditional hoagie but that allows me to have 2 instead of one. Just easier to handle when eating also.