Favorite Yeast Bread w/ Pinto beans



           Most every Sunday, we have bacon for breakfast.  We cook a whole slab, and make sandwiches or what ever later in the day.  I have taken the bacon and put it in bread with fresh onions, and black olives.  It is so good that I have made it three different times.  So today's blog is pinto beans and this wonderful bread.

           To start with put the yeast in the bowl.  I now use three teaspoons of yeast instead of the two and a quarter teaspoons it calls for per loaf.  I have also changed the flour to four and a half cups instead of three and a half, to get that nice round top.

           Another change I have made in my bread baking is the mixer.  I use the wooden spoons I make to mix and I believe it taste better.  After sifting my flour we are ready.  I a mixing cup I put two tablespoons of sugar, one tablespoon of butter, one tablespoon of honey ( do not measure just add), then a quarter cup of milk and microwave for one minute.  When it comes out add a cup of water, then check the temperature.  We want one hundred degrees.  Let that set for a minute while chopping 8 to 10 black olives, half an onion, and crumble about six or seven strips of bacon.  Lightly flour these before adding to the bowl for mixing, so they don't stick together.  Add one teaspoon salt, and stir in one hundred degree liquid to three cups flour, and other ingredients.  After mixing well about a minute or so add another cup flour, then add the other half a cup or so kneanding.

             If using Bread Machine Yeast like I do just let bread sit on counter for ten minutes.  If using Rapid Rise place in oiled bowl and cover for one hour, until rise double.  Took me awhile to understand the differents in these two yeast.

            Next step is bunch down and roll flat with bread roller.  Form a rectangle brush with olive oil soaked in chopped garlic. (yum good stuff, good on pizza, french bread, or just plain toast.)  Roll dough and place in bread pan make you slice marks in the top.  Place in a warm spot to rise for one hour.  While this rises, put half a bag of pinto beans in a pot of salted water and turn on medium.

This will simmer while the bread rises.

While we are waiting let's admire one of my spoons.

Here we have added the rest of our left-over bacon and diced onion.

            Our bread should be ready.  Preheat oven to 375 and when oven is ready, put in your bread and turn the oven down to 350.  After fifteen minutes take bread out brush with olive oil, garlic mixture, and return to oven.  Place aluminum foil on top of bread to prevent burning.  Total bake time about thiryfive minutes.

My reward the first slice.

For the bread

3 tsp yeast

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp butter

2 tlb sugar

1 tlb honey

crumbled bacon

chopped black olives

chopped fresh onion

For the beans

1/2 bag of beans

salted water

chopped onions

bacon or ham



Sweetgrass Baskets



          I lived in the Low Country of South Carolina and I vacation at the beaches.  Never forget the cast net or the fishing poles.  Whether you fish or you just go to relax, you can't miss the Sweet grass Ladies.  I have done several painting of the ladies who weave these beautiful baskets, and they sale right off.  Maybe I should do a couple of them.  What I did do, is made these baskets myself.

          As always, out side working in the yard.  I spotted the little red wagon full of the leaves from the Iris flowers.  Mom had cut them back as always, and was taking them to the back to burn.  I can't tell you how many time I have burned these leave, but this time I set them to the side.  I'm going to try to weave a basket.

  

           The hard part was getting it started, and with this first one the center shows that I'm just learning.  Keep in mind I have never done this before.  I have stood and watched the Sweet grass Ladies in awe, many times.  "Amazing" is all my Mother keeps saying.  I'm a little surprised myself. 

           Going into the house checking the size, with plates and such in the kitchen.  Trying to decide where to start bringing up the side.



Well, that went well.........now I'll have to put on handles.

How high up the side to go? 



Taking in the moment to look at my handy work.  Looking perty good if I do say so myself.  All my Mother keeps saying is "Amazing"

           I asked her why do you keep saying that?  She said;  "You just amaze me with the stuff you keep coming up with."  With that said here is a look at the finished basket.

 

           There it is!  My first basket and still have a lot of material to do another one.  I'm not sure about this material, it might just dry up and crumble. 

 

            This is basket number two.  It is made much tighter, and heavier.  I also started this one much better.  Basket II is made much better.  Still not sure how they will hold up.  I've decided to polyurethane them. 



           The request now is make it fit this dish. 

           Not enough material for handles, but considering until now, I have been burning these leaves.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing my baskets.  I'm sure I'll never be burning Iris leaves again.



          As I put the final touches on this last basket, I want to thank-you for coming to the Corner and seeing "Amazing" things I come up with. Tell your friends about Charles Kenneth's Corner.  Leave me comments, but only if they are nice.

           I'll leave you with a taste of other things at the Corner.