BEER BREAD

If you love beer, and like bread, then this is the recipe for you! The best of both worlds is beer bread, which can have subtle differences in flavor depending on the type of beer used in making the bread.
Unlike regular table bread, beer bread has a hard, crusty top, and a soft inside. But the texture of the bread is also course. The bacon grease (and it's only a little) adds to the flavor of the bread, and takes away some of it's coarseness, giving it a nicer consistency and flavor. Since this is a dense, course bread, it lends itself well to stews, chili, soups, and seafood. This bread is delicious with a variety of added ingredients, making it very versatile. And, because of it's unusual texture and underlying flavor, it is always a conversation starter! This is often referred too as "cowboy bread" as well, because of the few ingredients needed, ease of making it, and the variety of additional ingredients that can be added to enhance, the flavor of the bread.
FYI:
"Different types of beer bread can be made by using different beers; for instance, a stout or dark beer, will give a darker bread with a heavier flavor. Using a beer that is spiced, or has a flavor added, will make a bread with a similar flavor, but less intense than the beer.
One can add any flavorings to this simple recipe when mixing the dry ingredients to enhance the flavor of the bread. Some suggestions include: cheddar and dill, sundried tomato and herb, garlic and feta, bacon and mozzarella, etc. A consideration when choosing flavors is that if the beer bread is not going to be eaten straight away then the flavors will become enhanced upon storage."
From Wikipedia

 

 

Prep. Time - 10 min.      Cook time: 50-60 min.      Servings: 1 loaf

 

Basic Ingredients for all Beer Breads:

3 cups of self-rising flour.

2 tablespoons sugar.
12 ounces of "your favorite" beer at room temperature. (I used a Sierra Nevada Lager)
My recipe, adds:
1/4-1/2 cup white cheddar or mozzarella cheese
4-6 slices of bacon, cooked and, crumbled. (set aside drained bacon fat)

 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook bacon until crispy and allow to drain on a paper towel until cool.
• Reserve bacon fat from pan.
• Crumble bacon bits and set aside.
• Grate mozzarella cheese.
• In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and flour.
• Add crumbled bacon bits.
• Add 2+ tablespoons of bacon grease that you had reserved.
• Add beer and continue to mix, first using a wooden spoon, then your "clean" hands.



• Batter will be sticky.
• Pour into a 9 x 5 inch greased loaf pan.
• With a knife, gently slice a crease (making a depression) down the center of the bread, but, not going through it.
• In the crease, add the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean from the center.
• The top of the bread will be crunchy, and the insides will be soft.
• Serve, sliced with butter, a savory brown gravy or your favorite spread.

 Now Enjoy!

© 2013 Jayne's Crazy Kitchen





CINNAMON APPLE LOAF

I am not much of a sweet eater, but... I love having something delicious and satisfying when I do get the urge!!! It's always great to have something "home made", that you already know is awesome, when friends stop by too!!!
This is the time of year that I pull all the "Fall" Recipes out, and... where I look for things that are wholesome, delicious, and don't take too much time to make.
I love this!!! It's not a cake, and... it's not a bread. It is between the two. *LOL*. I look forward at night, to having it in the morning, and so will your family... lightly toasted with a little butter. Mmmm... it doesn't get much better than this!!!
The recipe is quick, and made from scratch. You really can't make a mistake, unless you undercook it. But we will watch this step closely. It doesn't require a lot of ingredients, and... You will be so, happy later... that you took the time. If you have 5 more minutes, then MAKE 2!!!

 

 

Ingredients:
 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup apple juice

1 apple, peeled and chopped

Loaf Pan
Electric Hand Mixer

*missing from photo: milk and apple juice*

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Lightly grease a Loaf Pan. (I use a bit of butter on a piece of wax paper.)
• Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and set aside. (leave a handful aside for the top of your loaf too.)
• Beat white sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy
• Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, mixing
• Add vanilla extract
• Combine flour and baking powder together in another bowl
• Stir into creamed butter mixture.
• Add milk and juice, into batter, mix until smooth.
• Pour half the batter into the greased loaf pan
• Add half the apples and 1/2 the brown sugar cinnamon mixture
• Push down  a little bit on the apples and sugar mixture, into the batter with the back of a spoon 
• Now, lightly swirl apple mixture into batter with a fork, you don't want to mix it, but you do want those nice brown swirls to be seen throughout the batter
• Pour the remaining batter on top; layer with remaining apples and more brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Swirling again, through the dough you just poured. You want to see some nice brown swirls in the dough again.
• Add more brown sugar/cinnamon mixture to the top of your loaf. This will become the nice crumbly topping.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out lean... (about) 40 to 45 minutes. I use an electric oven, so check at 35 min, if you have any doubt.

It doesn't get any better than this!!!

 

NOW ENJOY!

© 2013 Jayne's Crazy Kitchen