Julia Child Easy Homemade Bread

I know you don't think Julia Child had easy recipes but in this case she did.  I am still searching for the perfect bread recipe.  I think I am getting closer.  The beauty of this bread is that the dough can be used for pizzas and cinnamon rolls as well as loaves of bread.  I don't know if you do this or not, but while I was making this recipe I found myself talking to myself in my head as Julia Child.  To try out your best Julia imitation and break out the yeast.

Two beautiful loaves of bread, just waiting for butter!  You could also use these loaves for sandwiches.

 Look how easy it is.  Nothing special.  I can't believe I have been afraid of bread all these years.

 1 Tablespoon yeast

 1 Tablespoon sugar

 1/2 cup warm water.  Between 105-110 degrees.

 Let it sit for 5 minutes.

 Measure out 2 cups warm (105-110) water.

 3 cups all purpose flour.

 The yeast is foamy. According to Julia if the yeast is not foamy throw it away and start over.  Much better to start over at this stage than have bread that won't rise.

 2 teaspoon salt

 Add the 2 cups water

 1/4 cup softened butter.  Mix.

 Add the 3 cups of flour.  Mix.

 Then add the remaining 3 cups flour.  You still have 1/2 a cup you can add if needed.

 Mix well.

 Knead dough with the mixer for about 8 minutes.

 Then remove from mixer and knead by hand for a few minutes.

 PUT IN A BIGGER BOWL! After you have kneaded the dough by hand put in a lightly greased bowl.

 Cover and place in a warm area for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  The garage is a really good place in the summer time.

 See I needed a bigger bowl.

 Punch down.  That was fun.

 Split the dough in half and roll out one half.

 Fold the short side over, like folding a letter.

 Then fold the other side over.

 Place the seam side in the bottom of a loaf pan.

 See two nice loaves.  Place back in the warm area to rise for 1 hour.

 After the hour bring the loaves in and place in a preheated 375 oven.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.

 And they come out looking like this.  Remove from the pan right away.

 There is only one thing these loaves need, butter.

I couldn't wait for them to cool so the bread tore and smushed at the bottom.  But it was worth it.

Julia Child Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

2 1/2 cups warm water divided
1 Tablespoon yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
6 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup softened butter

Rise 1-1 1/2 hour.  Punch down put in loaf pan.  Rise another hour.  Bake in preheated 375 oven for 30-35 minutes.

Radish and Cucumber Salad

The radishes bled a little and made the salad a little red.

The rice vinegar was the only different thing I had to buy.

Thinly slice the cucumber and about 12 radishes.

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup rice vinegar.  The vinegar has a rather pungent odor to it but don't let that scare you off.

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

Add the liquid to the veggies.

This is why I like plastic containers for these salads.  Put the lid on and shake to mix well.

Let sit for about an hour on the counter.  It is a nice different kind of salad.

Radish and Cucumber Salad Recipe

12 radishes You can buy radishes with the tops and slice those to go on top.
1 seedless English cucumber
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

Father's Day Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Well since I made cinnamon rolls for Mother's Day I had to make cinnamon rolls for Father's Day as well.  This was a very easy recipe and only had to rise once.  If you are new to making cinnamon rolls or want to learn how to make them this is a great recipe to try.

Daddy just likes a light drizzle or even no icing on his cinnamon rolls so a light drizzle it is.

 See that egg.  Yes I forgot to add the egg.  Don't forget to add the egg when you make these.

 Start with 2 1/2 of the 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour.  You can add the extra flour if needed.

 3 Tablespoons sugar

 1 teaspoon salt

 2 1/4 teaspoon yeast.  Mix those together.

 In a saucepan add 1/2 cup water

 1/4 cup milk

 2 1/2 Tablespoons butter.  Heat in the saucepan to 115 degrees or so.  If you cut the butter into smaller pieces then it won't take as long to heat and won't get too hot.

 I mixed the filling while the rest was heating.  1/4 cup sugar

 1 heaping Tablespoon cinnamon

 Butter melted now I am trying to let it cool a little bit because it was too hot.

 When it is between 115-120 degrees add to the flour mixture.

 Add to the mixer and mix. The egg is suppose to go in now.

 I add 1/4 more of the flour.

 Mix well.

 Then I turned out onto a lightly floured surface and kneaded for about 5 minutes.  This dough really feels good.

 Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

 After that 10 minutes turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

 Roll out.  I am trying to get it thiner that last time.

 The 3 Tablespoons softened butter is then spread on top.  Use your fingers and really get in there with it.  Go all the way to the edges.

 Now the filling that we mixed spread it out on top of the butter.

 Then start rolling.  This dough rolled really well and did not stick.  I really like this dough.

 I cut them fairly small.  Lightly cover with foil and place in a warm place to rise.  I used the garage because in the summer there is no place warmer.  I let them rise for about 90 minutes.

 Now they are ready to go in the preheated 375 oven.  Bake for about 15 minutes, check them and if they are getting too brown cover lightly with foil. For the next 10-15 minutes.

 Now for the glaze.  I put about 1 cup powdered sugar.  I didn't measure.

 Some of my vanilla bean vanilla.

 Heavy cream

 Mix well and wait for the rolls.

 Nice and golden brown.

 Now for the glaze.  Light glaze

Heavy glaze.


Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk
2 1/2 Tablespoons butter
1 egg

Filling
3 Tablespoons softened butter
1 Tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 Tablespoons heavy cream

Preheat oven to 375.  Bake for 15 minutes and check to see if they are getting too brown.  Lightly cover with foil and finish cooking 10-15 minutes.