Cheryl's Bread

So good toasted with tea. Use your KitchenAid mixer, or not.

Dissolve in a warmed bowl:
2 cups lukewarm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp traditional yeast

Melt 1/4 cup butter or margarine, add to bowl. Add:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups white flour
2 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar

If you're using a mixer, put it on speed 2 until it forms a ball, then add more white flour until it's not so sticky. Don't add too much flour, it's supposed to be nice and moist. Let it knead for a few minutes. If you're not using a mixer, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.

Let it rise in a greased bowl in a warm place for an hour, punch it down. Split it in half, roll it out and shape it into two loaves. Let it rise again in greased loaf pans, then bake at 400 for 30 minutes. When it comes out, I spray the tops with non-stick spray so they're soft.

Cheesecake

Nobody will guess how quick and easy this is!

Buy a premade Keebler graham crust and a can of fruit pie filling.

Mix until smooth:
2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Phew! That was tough. Pour it into the crust and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

A shot or two of Bailey's in there is nice, as I imagine Amaretto or chocolate liqueur would be too. These make nice little gifts.

Mediterranean Chicken and Sausage Stew

Make this one on a cold day, serve with steamy garlic bread and cold milk. It's a favourite of ours.

Modified from Chatelaine magazine.

Brown and set aside:
4 big sausages, sliced (Italian or mild Italian are best)
2 chicken breasts, cut in 1" cubes

Saute:
1/2 each green and red pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms

Place meat and veggies in a biggish soup pot, and add:
2 cups chicken broth
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil

Bring to a boil. Add:
2 potatoes, cubed, (Yukon gold won't go to pieces, but whatever)

Simmer 20-25 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Apple Chicken

4 chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
1 medium-large apple peeled and cut into slices
1 cup apple juice
1 T brown sugar
1 T cornstarch
2 tsp chicken oxo
1/8 tsp each cinnamon and nutmeg

Brown chicken in a large pan, then add apple to warm through. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients, pour over chicken and apple. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes.

Barbecue Chicken

Brown and set aside:
4-6 pieces of chicken (with bones, peel off skin)

Into the pan (to brown) goes:
1 medium onion
1 clove garlic

Add:
1 cup water
3T soya or Worchestershire sauce
1/2 each green and red pepper
2T vinegar
2-4T brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup lemon juice

Place all in slow cooker for 3-4 hours on low, or bake 1 hour in a large lasagne pan.

Cabbage Rolls

12-14 cabbage leaves, separated and boiled 3-4 minutes
toothpicks, 14-20 or so

Mix together:
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 cup cooked white rice
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup minced onion
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper

Scoop about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture into each of the cabbage leaves and roll it up, securing with a toothpick (or two). Place in a large lasagne dish in a single layer.

Cover with
2-3 cans of tomato soup*

(I've tried other, more flavourful and complicated sauces but really, simple is best.)