100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I posted my 100th post! How did I overlook that?!

It's amazing how much this blog helped me, especially in the beginning. I began writing the blog for an outlet, meditation, and studying devotions. It has now turned into a little bit of baking, health information, thoughts, and just plain ramblings.[Here is where I talk about why I started the blog and Here is my first post ever.] I still have so much to share but that will all come with time. Topics I'd love to discuss in the future are Eating Disorders, Depression, Veganism, Vegetarianism, and maybe a "how to" series for beginner bakers.
I would definitely still consider myself a beginner baker who is ready to experiment and take risks. I've lately just been trying recipes so I can get a feel for the process and then I can eventually venture out. I've definitely had flops, forgotten key ingredients, and also had major success! I'm excited to continue on my journey of baking and I hope to eventually be considered a "pro!"

 [Now that I'll be getting married in September, I'll have even more reason to cook!:)]

The other night, after a tough run and a long day at work, Matthew and I cooked dinner for two of our good friends.

When I was on my way home from work, I got a craving to knead some dough so I thought that would be a perfect start for dinner! Does anyone else love kneading dough as much as me?

My favorite bread recipe has been the vegan dinner rolls, so I decided to do those. Instead of using the egg like I did in the last recipe, I made the egg replacer. (1 tbsp chia seed + 2tbsp warm water)

[They come out with spots because of the chia seed, it gives them personality:)]

Along with the bread, we fixed alfredo pasta with chicken and andouille sausage, broccoli, and homemade cookie dough balls. What are these homemade cookie dough balls, you ask?

Let me tell you.

They end up looking like this:

The process is so easy.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls:

adapted from joy the baker

1 stick of unsalted butter (I used Vegan butter)

1/2 Cup brown sugar

1/3 cup sugar (I used sucanet)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup plain greek yogurt

1 cup + 2tbsp whole wheat flour (or you can use plain all-purpose)

1/2 cup semi-sweet choco chips

 (matthew requested less chocolate, original recipe calls for 1 cup)

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and the sugars together for about 3 minutes, until creamy.
2. Beat in the yogurt and the vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a seperate bowl and then blend in with the other ingredients.
4. On a parchment lined baking sheet, scoop out tablespoon sized balls and put in the freezer covered.

Notes: The orignal recipe called for a chocolate ganache where you can dip the balls and cover them in chocolate. None of use are huge chocolate fans so I omitted this step. I like the lightly sweet with a slight chocolate flavor. Also, the whole wheat flour and sucanet produces a grainy-er batter so if you want the batter to be smoother, I suggest using white flour and granulated sugar. I personally like the grainy texture so this recipe was perfect for that.

 I freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What is your favorite thing to bake?

Rising in the Yeast

Today was quite the uneventful day, not too much happened. I woke up at my usual time and not shake spills occurred. During lunch break I went for a jog but didn't get to go as far as I would have liked due to the amount of sweat I was releasing (only downfall of running while at work). Maybe tomorrow will be better. Anywho, last night to end my shaky day I come to find a blown out blow dryer, it died. So after work I ran by Target and picked me up a new one. We shall see if it holds up to the former's standards.

I may my way home and on my way in I go and pick up our internet box! Woot Woot! We've gone three months with no internet and no cable, we have officially entered 2010 ladies and gentlemen. I'm actually sitting in my apartment right now, typing this. It's a dream come true.

On my way home from work I was thinking of what to cook Matthew and I for dinner. Of course I get sidetracked and just focus on what I'd like to bake! BREAD. Oh my gracious, bread is so divine. The smell of yeast is blissful to a nose like mine. So I decided to bake homemade bread but I had to find a quicker type bread. ROLLS. Ok, made my decision. Rolls it is.

I walk in and immediately wrap my apron around my waste and dig into the yeast and the flour.

This would be the yeast, soaking in warm water.

After it's been sitting for a while you will start to smell the yeast, that's when you know it's ready.

Prepare the flour mixture

Sugar

Salt

Now stir this bubbly mixture! Oh heavens this is good.

Now let this baby rise.

Knead it, my favorite part!

Now break of the dough and roll it into a ball and place in the pie pan.

Let them rise to their potential.

While I'm baking rolls, Matthew is setting up our internet! What a good man.

I digress.

At this point, I'm jumping around the apartment singing praises.

My freshly baked yeast rolls. I gave them to Matthew to enjoy while he is moderating study hall. One was for me.

These rolls were soft, light, and very tasty. You can taste the yeast which makes it all the more fresh and lovely. For my first roll, I'm pretty dang happy.

Thanks OSG

Homemade Yeast Rolls:

2 cups AP Flour

1 tbsp Sugar

1 tsp Salt

Active Dry Yeast

1 cup of warm water

Butter

1 egg

Mix your active dry yeast and 2 1/4 tsp of warm water. Let it dissolve and then add 1 tsp of sugar. Let this sit while you mix your flour.

In another bowl, use 1 cup of flour, 1 tbsp and 2 tsp of sugar, yeast mixture and salt. Mix this for a couple of seconds and add the remaining water. Melt 2 tbsp of your butter and add in along with one egg. Mix this all together until it becomes a smooth consistancy. Add the remaining 1 cup of flour.

Cover and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Get your pie pan ready by greasing it (I use butter) and after 30 minutes tear apart your dough and add to the pan. After the rolls are in, set aside in a covered dish for 30 minutes again. They should fill up the entire pan and then you'll know they're ready to bake.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!