Sourdough

I began a sourdough starter a few weeks ago and after getting several jars of it put away in the fridge, I finally got brave enough to try and do something with it.  I attempted to make a loaf of sourdough bread, but it was a flop.  I forgot to set the timer on it and so the oven turned off after only about 30 minutes and I had gotten busy and didn't hear the oven beeping.  When I finally thought about the bread, it was the next afternoon.  I took the bread pan out and the top had caved in, upon taking the bread out of the pan, it was gooey and doughy.  I will attempt to make a couple of loaves tomorrow.
I did make sourdough pancakes.  The first time, I didn't let the starter get very sour and the pancakes were really good.  The second time, I let the hooch develop (it's what gives the sourdough it's sour flavor).  Those pancakes were a hit!!!!  My children ate them up and my son ate the left overs for lunch.  They were full of flavor and the texture was just simply smooth and amazing.  YUM!!!  The were truly delicious.
Needless to say, we will have those more often.
I have yet to try the sourdough tortillas.  I may be trying those in a few days though.  I'll keep you posted.

Baby It's Cold OUTSIDE!!!!!!

I didn't go to work on Tuesday because the weather forecast said we would have freezing rain beginning at 9 AM and around Noon we'd have sleet. I opted to stay in the safety and comfort of my home with my cherubs.
I started our day with a pot of malt-o-meal and homemade biscuits. Yum! However, we started our day so late, that it was actually brunch. HA HA
As the day progressed I began to think about what we would have for dinner. I thought a pot of chili would be good for a cold night...we were getting down into the 20's. Hmmmmmmm, we had no crackers to go with our chili and we love having crackers with it. So I googled home-made crackers and wasn't very impressed with the first recipe that came up. However, the next one was the one. I made the home-made crackers and they were a hit. We had to stop ourselves from eating them up before we had our chili to eat them with. Below is the recipe and then I'll explain what alterations I made.

Homemade Crackers

2 Cups Flour (I used unbleached all purpose, wasn't ready to experiment with wheat)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2/3 Cups Warm Water
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (I used vegetable oil, it was all I had)
Herbs of your choice

Preheat oven to 400*

Lightly grease cookie sheets.
No grease needed if using a pizza stone.

combine dry ingredients then gradually stir in the water & oil mixture. Mix until a smooth dough forms. If you want to add herbs you can at this time. (In my first batch I added fresh rosemary, in the second batch I added Italian seasoning).
Divide the dough in half and flatten on cookie sheet or pizza stone. Once dough is spread thin, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut into squares. Brush lightly with an egg wash or spray lightly with olive oil.(One egg white & 2 Tablespoons water...I did this but next time will try the olive oil)
Sprinkle with sea salt if desired (I didn't have sea salt, but used Kosher salt).

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy. (not all will be the same golden color)
These crackers are great with soup, dips, or cheese...Ask me how I know...LOL

Now the recipe said to sprinkle your desired herbs on top of the crackers. I opted for mixing my herbs into the dough itself.

OUR REVIEW: Simple, quick, DELICIOUS!!! These crackers had more taste and flavor than any store bought cracker we have ever had. So guess who is really ready to get the mixer I want so I can make bread and crackers for my family every weekend?!