November 30, 2008

Sucked In

I just spent one hour redesigning my blog background and I feel like I just sat down. Amazing.

November 24, 2008

Nothing like the Smell of Fresh Baked Bread


Yes, the aroma of perfectly browned crust enclosing the tender soft center of my bread is permeating my home as I type. It is like a nice fuzzy blanket and I love, love, love it.

You can have this aroma in your house too, if you like. Here is my recipe:

Melissa's Bread
Start with this in your mixer:
4.5 teaspoons yeast (I only use SAF)
2 Tablespoons sugar or any other sweetener you like
2.5 cups very warm water (around 120 degrees)

Then Add:
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour (with the gluten, you could go all whole wheat)

The flour is your variable, so please do not add all six cups at once. Your flour may be feeling bloated that day and you will end up with a brick on bread instead of a loaf.

Let rise once - then shape into whatever you want and let rise until double. For loaves - 350 for 30 minutes. Rolls 350 for 20 or so minutes, until golden.

Now here is the secret...if you want really soft, bakery style - place plastic wrap, bag or whatever over the bread after about 10 minutes of cooling. It "sweats" the bread and makes it oh so soft. This works really well for hot dog buns or rolls.

November 20, 2008

I made Kimchi!



You may wonder why I would spend my precious food budget money on making something stinky and unappealing to most people. Well, I for one like kimchi and I wanted to try my hand at making this pickled/fermented vegetable for myself. I mean, I did not want to spend around $5.00 for a PINT jar of the stuff when I could make 2 large napa cabbages worth of it for far less. It is still fermenting in my garage (for obvious olfactory reasons) and should be good to go by tomorrow. I have visions of eating this delicious concoction with fresh steamed rice and making kimchi chigae - my mouth is watering!

Now for some shameless plugs:

I happened upon a great resource for Korean cooking on youtube. The star of the cooking is Maangchi. She has produced numerous cooking spots on her blog that show in detail, the wondrous art of Korean cooking. If you have a hankering for some kimchi, mandu or some of those tasty side dishes, then please visit http://www.maangchi.com.

If you become inspired to create some of these dishes and need a good Korean Market, then I will point you in the direction of First Oriental Market in Orem, UT. It is on State Street just north of Hancock Fabrics, behind the Greek Grill. They have everything you need and more to create all of Maangchi's recipes. Wahoo!

November 10, 2008

Take a Breather

Proposition 8 passed in California with 52% of the vote. In the days that followed, I am appalled at the "hate" that I read about in the news and on the radio. Yes, this is a heated issue. Yes, there are super strong feeling involved -- BUT -- people should not forget who they are - human beings- not animals, spoiled brats who demonstrate loudly, destructively and embarrassingly. Come on folks! I am not telling you to get over it, but I am telling you to show some respect for other human beings. You may say "Well, they did not show respect to me by taking away my (same sex) marriage." Violence, destruction of property and using profanity only shows how immature and selfish you really are. When Prop 22 was overruled by 4 judges did you see supporters of Prop 22 demonstrating in front of your religious places? Did you hear news reports of bullying and property destruction? No. You saw quiet dignity. I suggest you do the same.

November 1, 2008

Twilight Movie

I am just going to admit it and be done. I am looking forward to seeing this movie. There.

I actually got change!


Yes, that's right! Today when I filled up the trusty jeep, I was shocked and then elated that I was going to receive change! Every two weeks I have $60.00 to fuel the Palmer family transport and during the peak of the fuel pricing, $60.00 would fill me up to half. HALF!! Granted my tank is about 23 gallons, but still - HALF!!
It wasn't a large amount of money, but a few bills and some silver can now be used to perhaps wash the lovely antiqued look off the jeep. I don't even have deer hunting as an excuse for the layer of dust. However, it is going to rain tomorrow - perhaps this change will just have to wait.


Now I know some of you are wondering what change is because of the beauty of electronic money. We have instigated the "envelope system" at our house. This means that I have an envelope with cash for my gas money, food money, household money (diapers, TP, soap, etc...), date night money, and so on. This means once the money is gone from the envelope, you're done spending. This system has really worked for us. I don't carry plastic anymore (ok, I do have a fresh values card) and I just have to plan out my day - meaning no impulse buying. So there you go. If you want to know more, just ask Toby. He loves sharing the Palmer family budget success story.