Buttermilk waffles

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• From here: 
• http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/09/06/my-favorite-buttermilk-waffles/

My notes in parentheses 

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• 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour (weigh into bowl large enough to mix batter together)
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (add directly to flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (add directly to flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (add directly to flour)
• 3 large eggs, separated (yolks into small bowl that can also accommodate sugar and extract - whites into GLASS container sized to allow for whipping with hand blender/equivalent - I use a 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup- and make sure the beaters are clean when whipping whites!)
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (1 stick - melt in heat safe mixing bowl large enough to accommodate buttermilk, egg yolks, sugar, extract over pot of gently boiling water)
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar (add to yolks)
• 1 and 3/4 cups buttermilk (I keep buttermilk powder on hand - I mix 3.5Tbsp buttermilk powder to 1.5 Cups water - then I add to cooled melted butter)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used 1 tsp Almond extract- really nice! I added it to the yolks and sugar then mixed really well, then added that to the butter/milk and mixed. From there, mix that into flour bowl, then fold in whites gently. 1/3 Cup (on the generous side) per each of 4 waffles per press yields 12-14 waffles which take about 5 min to cook - when the steaming slows/stops, usually waffles are done)

My Fish

 That is Fourtinbras - he was #4 of 6 of the original guppies

 That is Five-el - he was #5 of 6 of the original guppies

 Jeff (White) and Maude (Orange and White) are the goldfish

This is poor Mr. Fighty - RIP little buddy.

Not pictured = Team Green (4 Kubotai), Gary the snail (Nerite) Rammstein the snail (ramshorn) and the descendants of Rammstein.

Lemon Curd

Lemon curd

Banana bread

This doubled really nicely!


Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Spread slices with honey or serve with ice cream.

Bread Machine

I got a bread machine for Christmas! The unit doesn't bake so Oster is sending me a new one and a return label for the broken one, but it mixes, kneads and allows for a nice rise, so I have been mixing doughs to bake in the oven until the replacement arrives. I need a place to stick ideas and resources for the bread machine, so here it is!

Dinner rolls
Recipes
Flour weights and measures

Mussels

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/steamed-mussels-recipe.html

Scalloped/Au Gratin Homestyle Casserole

No ... this is not how to make it from scratch.  This is cooking time adjustments for the boxed Idahoan casseroles.  I have no shame in my love for these, none whatsoever.  I can throw down on some pommes anna and other fussy potato dishes, but these are fast, easy and tasty.  I love these boxed franken-potatoes and I don't care who knows!!!

Best for Golden Browning

1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F. COMBINE potatoes and sauce mix in 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
2. STIR in 1 1/2 cups boiling water, 3/4 cup milk, and 1 Tbsp. margarine or butter with whisk.
3. BAKE uncovered for 25 minutes or until top is golden brown and potatoes are tender (sauce will thicken slightly when cooling).
4. Remove from oven and let stand a few minutes before serving.
5. BAKING NOTES: 

• To prepare 2 casseroles at once, double all ingredients, increase baking dish size accordingly, and bake about 30 min. 
• To bake potatoes and roast meat at the same time, 
• bake at 450°F for about 25 min;
• bake at 425°F for about 30 min or until golden brown;
• bake at 400°F for about 35 min or until golden brown;
• bake at 375°F for about 45 min; 
• bake at 350°F for about 50 min; 
• bake at 325°F for about 60 min.