Well, it's June, or as we in Seattle like to call it Juneuary. I don't know why, but every year in Seattle May is absolutely glorious, and then June comes in like a jerk with rain storms. But we aren't letting it get us down (really, we are trying very hard)...
The fun thing about having a three year old is that you are constantly challenged to make the best of things, even when the thing is Juneuary. Today we made Dilly Bread (another recipe from my new Good Cheer cookbook!). I don't make bread very often. We live next to a fantastic bakery, and it always just seems like making it from scratch takes more effort and time than it's worth.
...But, turns out, baking bread is the perfect activity to do with a 3 year old on a rainy day. The thing about making bread (at least Dilly Bread) is that it's not actually very hard. There are no frantic cooking moments with hot oil or spatula flipping; it's kind of a slow sluggy gentle activity that can be broken into a few different steps, all of which your little one can help you with. Violet helped me measure out and mix all of the ingredients in the morning which took about 30 minutes-- an appropriate amount of time for a small child-- then we were able to take a break and left the blob to rise on its own while we went to the gym.
...But, turns out, baking bread is the perfect activity to do with a 3 year old on a rainy day. The thing about making bread (at least Dilly Bread) is that it's not actually very hard. There are no frantic cooking moments with hot oil or spatula flipping; it's kind of a slow sluggy gentle activity that can be broken into a few different steps, all of which your little one can help you with. Violet helped me measure out and mix all of the ingredients in the morning which took about 30 minutes-- an appropriate amount of time for a small child-- then we were able to take a break and left the blob to rise on its own while we went to the gym. 
When we got home in the afternoon it had done its growing work, and had doubled in size (which completely blew Violet's mind, and kind of blew my mind too). Then, another fun activity-- punching it back down to its original size, a good quick activity before Violet's nap time.
When she woke up a couple hours later, it was time to bake it. So we popped it in the oven. Then, the most exciting part of all, we got to eat it with dinner. And it was good!
Hooray Dilly Bread!
Dilly Bread
1 package yeast, dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
1 cup cottage cheese
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp minced onion
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground dill
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 cups flour
1) Blend cottage cheese until smooth. (I did this in the cuisinart; Violet got to push the buttons which was a huge thrill for her. Watching her, I realized that the last time I had really used the cuisinart was during my baby-food making days; and that yanked at my heart a bit; but I degress...)
2) Transfer creamed cottage cheese into a large bowl and mix with sugar, minced onion, butter, salt, dill, baking soda, and egg.
3) Add in yeast mixture.
4) Gradually add flour, and kneed until combined.
5) Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise until at least doubled in bulk
6) Punch down and let rise again.
7) Bake in a greased casserole dish or coffee can in oven at 350 for 40-50 minutes.
yum!
ReplyDeleteI make banana bread at least once a week.