So what do you do when it"s cold outside?

So it is  still  cold here today.  Yes  I know it is February.........  but  it  usually  is  warmer then this.  Yes this  weather  has  been really crazy  here  this  winter, one day or  two  in the  60's or 70's and then into the  deep freeze  we  go.   My poor chickens  keep  looking at me like they  want  me to make them some sweaters or mittens.   Today  at  3 in the afternoon it  was not  even 40 degrees.  So  it has been so cold the last  few days  I barely  have  gone outside.  I  love  to be outside  .........  usually but  this cold  is  not usual.  I have  managed  to start my  walking program again and  I have  managed to walk for 45 minutes with my  music  but  I do walk  faster  just to stay warm  and  keep the  joints working.    I know  that  I feel better  when I get out there but tonight  they are  calling for freezing rain or  snow  over night  for us  I  hope they are wrong  but if not I may be  walking in boots tomorrow.

  So what  do you do when it is  so cold  out that you want to stay in?  Me I just  want to keep those  knitting needles or crochet hooks working ,  as I have  an addiction to yarn and  I must  satisfy it  by  handling it, making it into something pretty and warm.  If I am not  feeding my addiction then most likely  I am in the kitchen baking.  Thank goodness my husband  does not mind me  baking,  in fact he  encourages it ........ a lot.   I  love  to make  bread and  I used to do it  the  old  fashioned way  of  mixing and  kneading it  by  hand  .   Well  for Christmas  I got  a  new best  friend and  now I have  found that  he  loves to help me  with the bread !!    I  gladly  let  him and he  does an wonderful job, much better then I can do it.

So I found this  fabulous recipe for  whole wheat  hamburger buns  that  I make  but I have  found that  the  recipe also makes  wonderful  bread  .  This  recipe  will make  one  good size  loaf  if you  let  it  rise  for about an hour  and them shape it and rise  it in a pan  for about a  half hour and then bake it in a 375  degree oven  for about a half hour. 

So below the  first picture is  the  recipe for the  buns,  It  really is  delicious and I have  found that  I  just recycled a large tuna can and  washed it  very well and  I use that  to  cut  out the buns , place them together  on a pan , let them rise  for about  20  to 25 minutes and them  bake them ,  You  really must  try this  recipe they are  soo  good .,

Hamburger Rolls 

• 2 tablespoons rapid yeast, room temperature
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110 F)
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups all purpose flour

In a medium size mixing bowl (or kitchen aid mixer) dissolve yeast in water, add oil and sugar, set aside undisturbed for 5 minutes. Add egg, salt, and enough flour to form a soft dough.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding remaining flour as needed. (Do not let rise) Divide into 8 pieces, forming each piece into a ball. Place dough balls approximate 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. (or use parchment paper)  
Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rest 20  minutes.

Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.


This  next recipe  is  so wonderful and  I found it on a lovely blog  called Rosa's Yummy Yums.  She  has  the  best  recipe's and this one is  hers.

So  if  you prefer  a no  wheat  flour roll here is another  very  good very easy  recipe that  makes up quickly and  easily.

 Ingredients:
1 Cup (240g/ml - 250g/ml) Water, lukewarm
2 Tbs (30g) Unsalted butter, at room temperature and creamed
1 Egg (~63g)
3 1/4 Cups (433g) Plain white flour
1/4 Cup (53g) Castor sugar
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tbs Instant yeast
1 Egg yolk (+ 1 Tsp water)
Sesame seeds

Method:
1. Sprinkle the yeast into the water and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir to dissolve.
2. In a big bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
3. Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured working surface and knead for about 10 minutes until you've made a soft, smooth dough.
4. Place the dough in a clean and lightly greased bowl.
5. Cover it with a towel and let rise for about 1 (or1-1/2) hour, until doubled in size.
6. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a flattened ball.
7. Place the buns on greased baking sheets, cover with a towel and let rise 30 to 40 minutes, until they're quite puffy and doubled in size.
8. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
9, Glaze the buns with the egg yolk and water mixture, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
10. Bake the buns for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are golden brown.
11. Remove them from the oven and cool them on a wire rack.

 So  I hope  you all are  staying warm and  cozy inside this winter.  Well  I must  be  going , so I will see you soon.