Baguette

This one is from Sister's Cafe.

I have made this a ton and we love it.

It's really easy and is so good when you slice it and put butter and garlic salt on it.

It's hard to ruin this one.

Baguette

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 1/2 tbs yeast (2 packages)

2 tsp sugar

3 1/4 cups Flour

2 tsp salt

In small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. let stand for about 5 min until foamy.

In large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture mix until dough becomes a smooth ball and knead for 5 min. You can use your Kitchenaid with the dough hook and it makes this process easier.

Cut in half and shape into 2 baguettes. place on a lightly greased cookie sheet or silpat. cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450. with a sharp knife (serrated helps) gently make a slash down the length of each baguette. This gives the authentic look. Pour water in a cookie sheet and place on the bottom rack in the oven. Bake the bread for 15 min. half way through brush with melted butter. If you try Olive oil it's less crispy and not as salty. In my opinion that is less appealing.

Grape Salad

This will make you famous.

Grape Salad

4 pounds Red grapes

8 ounces Cream cheese

8 ounces Sour Cream

1/2 cup sugar

1tsp vanilla

Brown sugar, nuts.

Wash dry and de-stem Grapes

Mix Cream cheese sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.

Mix together with grapes and pour onto a platter.

Sprinkle with Brown sugar and chopped nuts (we like almonds).

Thanks to yourhomebasedmom.

Italian Sausage & Spinach Pasta Bake

My husband Chris' favorite! The original recipe calls for chicken instead of Italian sausage. Both are good in the dish but this is how Chris likes it.

Italian Sausage & Spinach Pasta Bake

8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta cooked according to package directions Al dente (or your favorite pasta)

1 tbs Olive Oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 10 ounce Package frozen spinach thawed

3 cups Italian sausage ( you can get mild to hot which ever you prefer)

1 14.5 ounce can Italian style diced tomatoes

1 8 ounce container chive and onion cream cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded

Oven 375

Cook onion in the olive oil in pan in the oven for 15 min until tender.

Cook sausage and drain.

Drain and chop spinach. To drain well press between paper towels and wring out over the sink.

Combine everything. and cover with cheese.

Bake covered for 30 min and uncovered for 15 min until bubbly.

Banana Bars

Simple and delicious alternative to banana bread.

Good way to use up those ripe bananas.

from your homebased mom.

Banana Bars

Cream 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter

Add 1 cup sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla

Combine and add dry ingredients

2 cups flour, 1tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt

Stir in 2 medium sized ripe bananas ( I say the more the merrier so I add up to four)

Pour into a jellyroll pan.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 min

Frosting

Cream together 8 oz of Cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tsp vanilla, 4 cups powdered sugar.

Spread over cooled Banana bars.

Stromboli's

Stromboli's

1/3 cup Sugar

2 tbs yeast

1/2 cup oil

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 egg beaten

1/2 tsp Salt

4-5 cups Flour

1-2 packages of Pepperoni ( I like turkey pepperoni)

Package of 12 or more string cheese

Mix Sugar yeast, oil and water and let stand for about 5 minutes. Add egg.

Mix 4 cups of flour with salt and add to yeast mixture. Add enough for soft dough. I usually have to add almost the whole other cup. Use or let rise for 10-15 minutes.

Spread plum size chunks in to about 6 inch in diameter circles. Place 5 pepperonis and 1/2 a piece of string cheese in dough and fold up like an egg roll. Pinch and seal. Allow to rest for 10 min.

Bake 375 for 12-15 minutes until barely golden brown.

Rub hot Stromboli's with butter and sprinkle with Garlic salt.

Make Approximately 24 depending on how big your chunks of dough are. I can usually get up to 30.

This is my blog for recipes my family and I LOVE so i don't loose them and so I can easily share them with friends!