English Muffins – From Scratch

Bet you like knowing what is in your food, just as I do. I prefer to avoid all those nasty things on the label I can’t pronounce. My mom had a recipe for English Muffins which fulfills a desire for yummy food without the chemicals. Just think of all the great breakfast sandwiches and little pizzas you can make – now a little healthier. Watch for ideas on some of these recipes to be posted soon!

How old is this recipe? Note the reference to hand mixing or using a mixer. Don’t see that too much around here anymore. Enjoy!

English Muffins  – Serves 18

Ingredients

1 1/2 C Milk, 1/4 C Butter, 2 T Sugar, 1 Tsp Salt, 1 pkg Dry Yeast, 4 1/2 C Flour, 1 Egg, 1 C Flour, 2 C or so Corn Meal

• Heat in a saucepan until very warm (130 degrees F) 1 1/2 C Milk and 1/4 C Butter (or margarine)
• In Large mixer bowl, combine 2 T Sugar, 1 Tsp Salt, 1 pkg Dry Yeast, and 1 1/2 C Flour.
• With mixer at low-speed, gradually beat liquid into dry ingredients.
• Increase speed and beat 2 minutes or beat vigorously by hand.
• Beat in – 1 Egg and 1 C Flour.
• With spoon, add 2 C Flour or enough to make stiff dough.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead just enough until well mixed, about 2 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball and place in greased large bowl, turning once.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down
• Turn onto lightly floured surface. Cover with bowl 15 minutes and let dough rest.
• Meanwhile, place cornmeal in a pie plate.
• Roll Dough about 3/8″ thick.
• Cut into 3″ circles (18)
• Dip both sides of each in the cornmeal and place on cookie sheets.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 45 min)
• Brush large skillet with salad oil and heat to medium hot.
• Cook muffins on each side or until brown.

Making Homemade Yogurt With Kids

       Want a fun and nutritious project with the kids? Or even with just yourself? Making yogurt is both fun and economical. A Yogurt Maker is my preferred method for convenience and consistency. For some fun and experiments with the kids, or to satisfy the mad scientist in you, make yogurt from scratch using unconventional methods.

Items you will need:                                                     

• 1 Quart Warm Milk
• 1/2 C Plain Yogurt
• Meat or Candy Thermometer
• Bowl, prefer Glass
• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Whisk or Spoon
• Pan – large enough to hold the quart of milk
• Light Weight Towel for Experiment #1
• Glass Covered Casserole Dish for Experiment #2, #3 and #4
• Heating Pad for Experiment #4
• Small Jars or Glass Casserole for Experiment #4
• 2-3 Towels for Experiments #1 and #4

Experiment #1  Camping Yogurt                                                                                                                              Out in the woods, camping or just wanting to “rough it” for a bit, make yogurt with a wood burning stove or a range. After cooking dinner, place a bowl or clay crock holding the mixture of one quart of warm milk and 1/2 cup of plain yogurt on the back of the stove over night.                                                                                                                                                                            Keep the container covered with a light weight towel. In morning, your yogurt will be ready.

Experiment #2  Solar Yogurt                                                                                                                                     Here you will see how to use the sun outside to cook yogurt. This is definitely a little different and an energy saver.                                                                                                                              Pick a warm (not extreme heat) sunny day with a location that will be sunny for 5 or 6 hours.Simply place the yogurt and warm milk mixture in a glass casserole dish with the glass lid. Keep the lid on and the bugs out.                                                                                                     Check the consistency  in 4 – 5 hours. Depending on the heat from the sun, it may take a little longer. 

Experiment #3 Baking Yogurt                                                                                                                                  Start this after dinner or before going to bed. After warming your oven to 100 degrees F, put the 1 quart warm milk and 1/2 cup of plain yogurt in a covered casserole or baking dish. Glass is preferred to prevent any possible metal taste.                                                                               Leave the casserole in the oven, turned off, over night. In the morning, you will have fresh yogurt.

Experiment #4  Heating Pad Yogurt                                                                                                                       The kids may enjoy this. After the warm milk and yogurt mixture is poured into a large glass container or several small glass containers, wrap them up in an electric heating pad. Use towels to then wrap all to keep int he warmth and keep the heating pad in place.                  Set the heating pad to medium heat for 5-6 hours. Test the texture and enjoy!

Finishing Touches                                                                                                                                                       Add fruit, nuts or oatmeal for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert.

TIPS

1. To prepare milk, warm the milk to 100-110 degrees F in the pan. Use a meat or candy thermometer to check the temp.
2. Mix the mixture using a wisk.