Author: Kelly Donlea
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees F
- 2 (1/4-ounce) packets RED STAR yeast
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- topping such as rock salt or sesame seeds, if desired
Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl. Using a dough mixer, or a large spoon, stir well and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and mix until the mixture comes together.
Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional flour 1/2 cup at a time to make a stiff dough, either stirring with a spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed. Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour (less for quick-rise yeast). Punch down the dough. Place dough on a cutting board, and cut in half, then half each piece, then again and again until you have 12 equal portions. Form each piece of dough into a ball. Press and establish a hole in each center. Place on a lightly greased surface, cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled in a draft-free spot, 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil. In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Sprinkle with toppings if desired. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
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Author: Kelly Donlea
Basic Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/8 oz. dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup very warm water (120-130 degrees)
- 1 tablespoon oil
In a medium bowl, stir together half of the flour, the yeast and the salt until well blended. Add water and oil. Mix by hand until almost smooth. Gradually stir in remaining flour to make a firm dough. Cover and let set for at least 15 minutes. Generously prick dough with fork.
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Author: Kelly Donlea
Homemade Italian Gondola Bread
This delightful bread looks and acts like Italian bread, but has a much sweeter taste. It is delicious when used for sandwiches (hence the name), or served on its own or as a side to soups and pastas. While it has a few fussy steps, it really is quite simple to make.
Ingredients
- 1 -1/4 cup warm water
- 1 4 oz. package dry yeast
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Dissolve yeast in water. Separately, mix together oil, eggs, salt and sugar.
Add flour 1 cup at a time until mixed. Knead until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise for 1 ½ hours. Punch down, flip dough over, and repeat. Cut dough into 4 pieces for sandwiches, or 2 pieces for dinner-sized loaves. Shape into oblong loaves, and place on greased and floured cookie sheets. Cover loaves, and let rise again for approximately one hour. Slash loaves 3 x with knife. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes.
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Author: Kelly Donlea
As useful as always having what you need on hand to make dinner, is having on hand appetizer Smart Ingredients. In my refiregerator you can always find sour cream, cream cheese and or mayonnaise. Any combination of those three ingredients can be the base for a multitude of dips that can be served with any fresh vegetables I might have on hand, and some delicious and easy Beer Bread. As with many of my recipes, I think you will find you have most of these ingredients on hand, and can whip up a great beer bread to dip in one of my quick and easy dip ideas in no time.
Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 3 cups flour, sifted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 bottle of beer
Grease a loaf or 8 x 8″ pan with some of the butter. Mix dry ingredients together, and stir in the beer. Put dough in pan, and top with remaining butter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 55 minutes.
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