Deliciously Moist Banana Bread

The smell of freshly baked banana bread wafting through the house is enough to get everyone running to the kitchen.  This is such a super way to use up those very ripe bananas.

Olive Nut Bread

This is one of those fabulously quick bread that stays fresh and moist for days afterwards - definitely my favourite bread recipe for the moment.

Buttermilk Bread

Anchovy, caper and Olive Bread

The smell of fresh bread baking in an oven is one of those simple irresistible smells.  This is a simple bread recipe which can then have almost anything added to it.  I find that by adding the bicarb of soda the bread seems to be softer and lasts longer.

Fabulous Pizza

FABULOUS PIZZA
I love Pizza, and living out here in the bush, we seriously lack restaurants or any take-out places, which means making your own.  This recipe is my favourite.  It is super easy and makes 4 wonderfully thin pizza bases which can be topped with whatever topping tickles your fancy.  After making this very easy recipe, you may wonder why you ever go out for pizza, when you can make it even better at home.

Ingredients:
6oog White bread flour
10g Sachet dry instant yeast granules
2ml salt
350ml luke warm water
30ml olive oil
Crushed garlic
Tomato paste
salt
Cheese (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gouda)
Parmesan cheese

Method:
- Put flour, yeast and salt in a mixing bowl, mix up evenly.
- I put mine in a mixer which is equipped with a dough hook, and leave it running on low.
- Add olive oil and warm water slowly.
- The dough will form into a big ball, It must not be sticky.  Keep kneading with the mixer, or by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough is quiet pliable.
- Put a tea towel over the bowl and leave in a warmish spot to double in size (about an hour)
- Preheat oven to 220 degrees C
- beat down the dough and roll into a short fat sausage.  Cut evenly into 4 pieces and roll into 4 balls.
- sprinkle some flour on the kitchen top surface
- sprinkle flour on baking tray
- Roll each ball out into a thin circle shape - place on the baking tray
- Spread some garlic, and tomato paste over the base, sprinkle with salt.
- Add your toppings of choice (see below for some cool ideas)
- Sprinkle a healthy dose of cheese (whatever you choose or a mix).
- bake in a hot oven (220 degrees C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese just starts getting golden splodges.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, top with fresh rocket or Avo

Topping ideas
- Sliced pear and blue cheese, (with fresh rocket added after baking)
- Fig, brie cheese & walnuts
- Brinjal  (Egg plant), sun-dried tomatoes and  pepperdews (mild chilli)
- Artichokes, Capers, olives and anchovies, (with fresh avocado after baking)
- pizza is a great way of using up bits and pieces in the fridge!  Anything goes really.

Tips:
- I do 2 pizzas at a time, and freeze the dough of the other two pieces.  Next time  I just take the dough out the freezer in the morning, put in a bowl covered with a tea towel to allow to defrost and rise.

This post is linked to:
Bread and Pizza Pinterest
Cooking for the Seven Dwarfs

Rye bread

RYE BREAD

Ingredients:
500ml Rye Flour
200ml Corn Flour
5ml Bicarb of Soda
10ml Baking powder
3ml Salt
1 egg
100ml butter-melted
400ml water
60ml Sunflower Seeds
60ml Sesame Seeds
60ml Pecan Nuts
Method:
Mix all Ingredients well.
Place the dough in a well buttered loaf tin and bake at 160°C for 1 hours.

Wheat free bread

WHEAT FREE FLOUR MIX

Notes:
Make a wheat-free flour mixture to use instead of wheat flour in all recipes.  Almost all these ingredients you will find at a health shop
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups Rice Flour
1 cup Potato Flour
1 cup Tapioca Flour
¼ cup Corn Flour  (Maizena - if you live in SA)
¼ cup Chickpea Flour
2 Tablespoons Xanthan Gum  


WHEAT FREE BREAD
Ingredients:
3 cups Wheat free flour mix
500ml Plain Low Fat yoghurt
1 ½ teaspoons Bicarbonate of Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Mixture of seeds and nuts (optional)
Method:
- Mix all Ingredients well.
- Place the dough in a well buttered loaf tin and bake at 180°C for 1 ¼ hours.

Herb Brown Bread

HERB BROWN BREAD

Notes:

I just love this bread recipe, none of that hanging around waiting for all those rises.  Just pop it in a pap, one rise, straight in the oven and done!  Died herbs of your choice - I love rosemary and thyme.  A lemon thyme is yummy.  Also add whatever seeds tickle your fancy.