Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[smkchick]

Quote:
Hey, I know where you live!!

Just finished cleaning up the kitchen from dinner last night. I invited my daughter's newish boyfriend over for a "family" dinner, which is kind of a joke since we never eat as a family anyway.

Homemade Italian bread (new recipe which was easy and great), corn chowder (another new recipe which is a keeper), roast chicken (no one we know) with pan roasted red potatoes, sauteed zucchini and apple pie for dessert. All from scratch. My kitchen looked like a bomb went off!

Around the time I found out I was losing my job, my daughter broke up with her boyfriend of 6 years. I took it hard - he was like a son to me. Now she's dating a terrific guy from the firehouse. For awhile there, my whole world felt a little rocky and even now I'm still getting used to the new situation (job and "son"). But as hard as the change was, everything is so much better now. There was a lot of grieving, but the change has been good.

I think there's a lesson in there somewhere, but it's too early in the morning to find it...

 

[lichick28]

Eat one for me! Jeez here I am crying again looking at my dogs laying by the window enjoying the sun with their toys all over the house like as if I had little kids again. Where did the time go???

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Hey, I know where you live!!

Just finished cleaning up the kitchen from dinner last night. I invited my daughter's newish boyfriend over for a "family" dinner, which is kind of a joke since we never eat as a family anyway.

Homemade Italian bread (new recipe which was easy and great), corn chowder (another new recipe which is a keeper), roast chicken (no one we know) with pan roasted red potatoes, sauteed zucchini and apple pie for dessert. All from scratch. My kitchen looked like a bomb went off!

Around the time I found out I was losing my job, my daughter broke up with her boyfriend of 6 years. I took it hard - he was like a son to me. Now she's dating a terrific guy from the firehouse. For awhile there, my whole world felt a little rocky and even now I'm still getting used to the new situation (job and "son"). But as hard as the change was, everything is so much better now. There was a lot of grieving, but the change has been good.

I think there's a lesson in there somewhere, but it's too early in the morning to find it...

Suzanne, could you please post that Italian bread recipe.

Glad to hear you are moving to better and better places of mind. I always find it amazing how one door closes and another opens to lead us to that better place.

Thanks for the lovely PM. Yeah, he was the wonder dog.

 

[ChickenAl]

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I hope they are tears of Joy. Our designer mutt, Bisquit, has been staying by my side so closely since yesterday. No matter where I go he wants to be close. Only at night does he sleep curled up next to my wife. They do know they are family members and all have emotions too.

 

[lichick28]

I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Our kids are all grown & we have 3 dogs & their toys all over the house which made me remember our little boys running around but all is good here & I am grateful for that. Bisquit does notice that things are different around the house

 

[smkchick]

Here's the bread recipe. I like it because it only makes one loaf. I've had a lot of trouble with bread lately (Bobby thinks it's because I was depressed over my job!). But this loaf was great. I didn't use a mixer - I kneaded it by hand for about 5 minutes. I also would bake it a little longer for a slightly darker crust. I like sesame seeds, although I made it with poppy. Also, next time I'm going to use extra-virgin olive oil for a little more flavor. All personal preference.

Basic Italian Bread

Ingredients

1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
2 to 3 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Combine yeast, sugar, and 1 cup warm water in bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer; let stand 5 minutes. Add 2 cups flour, oil, and salt to bowl, and beat at low speed, using dough hook attachment, 1 minute. Gradually add additional flour until dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl and pull together. (Note: The dough will take on a "shaggy" appearance as the flour is being added. When enough flour has been added, the dough will look soft and smooth, not wet and sticky or overly dry with a rough surface.)
Increase speed to medium, and beat 5 minutes. Cover bowl of dough with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down, and let stand 10 minutes.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into a 12-inch loaf, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. *or a pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal* Cut 3 (1/4-inch deep) slits across top of dough with a sharp paring knife. (The slits release interior steam and prevent the loaf from blowing apart at the side.)
Bake at 400° for 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy!!

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
That sounds simple enough that even I can do it. I need to find my pizza stone that somehow disappeared.

It was so hard to get good Italian bread when we first moved up here. They cannot bake it the same as down in the city. Must be the water or something. Finally, about 10 years ago enough of us city slickers moved up that they started importing Italian bread from the Bronx. It is fantastic when you can get it fresh. Going to give this a shot and see how it comes out

Sounded like you are making a feast over there from what was in your earlier post. I'm sure all will enjoy and have a great time. It is sad when we are so busy and the kids grow up that we have less sit down dinners at home. Still, great to have them only once in a while than not to at all.

 

[chickendude]

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Very tempting, but I will be getting some 5 month old BO's from my neighbor very shortly. Thanks for asking.

 

[mjuenem]

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I made some for the kids (girls 11 and 14) last week and they think they are great. So easy for the girls to do themselves when they have friends over.

Mark

 

[smkchick]

Quote:
I made some for the kids (girls 11 and 14) last week and they think they are great. So easy for the girls to do themselves when they have friends over.

Mark

Okay, okay. If 11 and 14 year olds can do it, I'll have to give them a try.

So hungry right now, may just chew off a foot or something!