Michael Ruhlman's book, Ratio, has been a turning point for me. I've never considered myself a baker. But he sure can make it easy, as was proven by the amazing ciabatta bread recipe.
Apple Fritters on the Griddle
Ratio by Michael Ruhlman
4 oz. flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 oz. (1/2 cup) milk
1 egg or 2 oz. egg replacer
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 medium apples
Peel and core apples. Chop well or shred them in a food processor. Set aside.
In blender, combine remaining ingredients to make batter. Blend until dry ingredients are incorporated. Stir apples and cinnamon into batter. Heat griddle to 300 degrees. Pour batter onto griddle to shape 3 inch pancakes. Cook five minutes on each side or until nicely brown.
I'm posting this in lieu of a Menu Plan for this week because I'm still waffling on the menu. We're expecting visitors, and I have been negotiating menus with Paul, but even this morning, I was changing my mind. Anyway, I just can't wait to share this recipe.
Recipe for Ciabatta Bread (For Bread Machine)
Recipe from Ratio by Michael Ruhlman
20 oz. High-gluten Flour
12 oz. water
1 teaspoon yeast
2 teaspoons yeast
Put water in bottom of bread machine. Top with flour. In one corner of the machine, add salt. In opposite corner, add yeast.
Set machine on dough cycle, which should include the first rise. When the machine is done, knead dough again, let rest 10-15 minutes before shaping. Shape by pulling dough until it is about 12 inches long and 1 inch thick. Allow to rise, covered, for one more hour.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 375 and bake another 30 minutes.
Mr. Ruhlman does a fabulous job of explaining the details for using a regular stand mixer instead.
I want to preface this story by pointing out that I am far from creative enough to think this up. I credit my mother-in-law for the idea. And I'm happy for experiencing new things because of it.
You might call this a replay, but it didn't matter because it went over so well. I made kabobs alternating in new particular order carrot slices, sweet potato slices, Redi-Burger chunks, sweet pepper slices, and chunks of onion. It is recommended to pre-cook the carrots and sweet potatoes. Grilled would have been much more fun, but I was running out of time. Instead, I brushed the kabobs with oil and broiled them. Hence the crisped skewers.
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