Bread Machine Peanut Butter Rolls

I was experimenting again with the bread machine. This time, I made these peanut butter rolls. I have to admit, my first attempt was a miserable failure because I tried to substitute the chocolate chips with carob powder.

Not a good idea. At all.

This is attempt number two. Instead of chocolate chips, though, I used some of the chocolate nut mix from the Whole Foods bulk bins.

These seemed to be well received. They didn't last very long, anyway.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

This was my first attempt at whole wheat bread with the bread machine. I can't eat it (gluten sensitivity), but my husband said it was really good.

This one will make some good sandwiches and french toast sticks.

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I made this cinnamon swirl bread Friday night. Actually, since I failed to read the directions in advance it's not a swirl, rather just cinnamon bread. Details.

The fam loves the way it tastes. I love that it doesn't have any preservatives. I doubt it will make it to the 24 hour mark, but if it does, I'll make some french toast sticks with the leftovers.

A Whole New World

You know the bread maker I told you I got for Christmas? Here it is, in all of its bread making glory (cue the Hallelujah chorus):

I went to Whole Foods to pick up some bread flour, because I knew I would need it. I also picked up some items that are on my Mellman diet, because I'm back on the wagon starting Friday. Which means I need some fresh-baked bread. Stat!

So I broke it in last night with the help of my daughter. I chose the recipe for the Challah loaf. 'Cause I had all of the ingredients and I love challah bread.

Once we pressed the Start button I read the directions and found out I did it wrong. Well, not so much wrong, as not exactly right. Directions, Schmirections.**

**If I were a guy, I'd put a piece of furniture together and congratulate myself on finishing the job with parts left over.

Everyone else was asleep when the buzzer went off, signaling that it was done. Of course, the smell filling the house was another big clue. It wasn't perfect. It ended up with a huge air bubble, which translated into all crust and no bread on the top. Details.

The directions said to let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Puh-Shaw. I dug into the ginormous loaf while it was still steaming and slathered it with organic strawberry jam.

Ho. Lee. Cow.

It hasn't even been 24 hours and there are only three slices left, one of which is the air-pocket-all-crust piece.

There's a loaf of zucchini bread baking right now. I can make pizza dough and fresh bread for my family and know that there won't be any preservatives or chemicals in them. It was an amazing gift and my family will definitely benefit from it.

Definitely.

Merry Christmas

Stephen and I have the most generous parents ev-ah! I am so excited about all of the neat-o kitchen gadgets I received for Christmas. I can't wait to experiment with my new bread maker, dehydrator, hand blender and various kitchen tools!

Those fresh herbs in my Urban Acres share will be able to be dehydrated and saved for later use. I can also make homemade (non-corn syruped) fruit leather and dried fruits for snacks. I can make homemade bread now with a list of ingredients I can pronounce. And smoothies and fresh soups are in our future.

We are so, so fortunate.

But most importantly of all, in our family we celebrated. We celebrated being together. I relished the time I spent with my grandmother and having four generations of my family in one house. I am grateful for the time with my husband's family and the fact that my kids have cousins they are super excited to see. And we celebrated a very important birthday. Happy Birthday Jesus.