Thursday, June 04, 2009

Kitchen Duty

Day 4 of a month of me brings us to my favorite room in the house, this was hard because I love my house, the whole thing! But the kitchen is truly the heart of the home, a place to gather, learn and create. Meals aren't the only products coming from the kitchen, memories are made, ties bind and traditions are everlasting, all simmering in the kitchen.

This isn't my dream kitchen, but it's close. My idea of a kitchen that fits me is a much bigger one, room to house a old fashioned hutch, the kind with the flour bin. A fireplace is a must have too, and with a fireplace you have to have a sitting spot, even if it's just a rocking chair. A walk-in pantry to house a years supply of canned goods, with a built in drying rack for herbs that grow just outside. Big windows to allow the sunshine to cheer up the space all year round! I may never get that perfect kitchen, but it's ok. I make do with what I have and I turn it into the kitchen that fits the house and my needs.

Any kitchen can become the perfect kitchen, as long as it's filled with homemade love! And here's some lovin from my kitchen to yours. This is one of my favorite bread recipes using fresh oregano from the garden. If your like me, I don't do alot of baking in the summer, so stash this recipe away for cooler months ahead. It probably can be converted to a bread machine but since I have yet to use mine.......I know, I'm bad!

Oregano Cheddar Bread

1 pkg. active dry yeast
5 1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 3/4 c. milk
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. minced oregano or 2 dried
1 tsp. salt

Stir together the yeast and 2 cups of the flour in a large mixing bowl. Heat together the remaining ingredients (except the rest of the flour) till luke warm. Add to flour yeast mixture.
Beat on low speed of mixer for 30 seconds, scrapping bowl when needed. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can with a spoon.
On a lightly floured surface knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead another 8-9 min. till dough is elastic and smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease all sides. Cover and let rise in warm place till doubled, about a hour or so.
Punch down dough and divide in half. Cover and allow to rise for 10 min. Shape into 2 loaves and place in 2 greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise again till doubled, about 45 min. Bake in a 350 oven for 45-50 min. Cool.

10 comments:

  1. The bread recipe sounds yummy!

    Right now, my kitchen/dining room is also my favorite room!

    XXDenise

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  2. Hi Sue! I like the idea of a month of me. I'd be all me'd out by day 3 but you being such a good writer will always have something to say. Good for you. MB

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  3. Your dream kitchen sounds just like mine..I want my big so I can easily entertain and I want a huge island in the center to do all my holiday baking..thanks for the recipe..I might just do this in my bread maker to see how it comes out..sounds yummy..thanks for sharing..:)

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  4. Your dream kitchen sounds so nice! I would like one really similar to that :) The recipe sounds great! I love any kind of bread LOL.

    All the best,
    Allison

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  5. I love your collection of utensils! What a warm, homey kitchen.

    My kitchen is far from perfect, but I make it my own by filling it with things I love!

    Blessings,
    Mandy

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  6. your kitchen is dreamy :)

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  7. Hi Sue!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my place and wishing me a Happy Birthday. :) I LOVE your blog(s) and am now following it. :) This bread sounds fabulous! I am not very good with yeast but I think I will try my hand at it one more time. ;)

    Have a great day!

    Michelle

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  8. Hi Sue
    Boy does that bread sound to good! Catch you later,Lori

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  9. Your kitchen looks very comfortable and user friendly. Mine is quite tiny. Our kitchen redo is supposed to start shortly. Can`t wait!

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  10. Cheese bread is one of my favorites, but I never thought of adding oregano to it. Thanks for that tip. I love your kitchen. Wish sometimes mine wasn't so small in this tiny apartment, but you never know. Retirement looms and maybe it will be time for my relocation someday. :) xxoo

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Thank you for visiting Country Pleasures, I welcome all comments, always nice to hear from my readers! Blessings!

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