Zucchini Bread...one of many batches

Anyone that plants a garden every year knows that no matter what you can't plant only one zucchini plant.  It just doesn't seem right that one meager plant won't produce enough zucchini, right?  Well, since you've planted three or four zucchini plants you will probably have them coming out of your ears in the next few weeks.  We've already got a few.

So, what to do with all that extra zucchini?  Make zucchini bread, of course!  Zucchini bread is a great way to use those zucchini that got a bit too big!  It is a quick bread that can be made in loaf pans, fluted pans and even miniature cake pans!

Zucchini Bread

 

Cream together:

3 eggs

2 1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups peeled, grated zucchini

Add:

3 cups flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup nuts (optional)

Bake in greased and floured pans at 325 degrees F. 

The amount of time you bake the bread varies, depending on the size of the pan used; with a normal loaf pan, it usually takes around an hour; with the miniture cake pans I used, it only took around 25 to 30 minutes.  The best thing you can do the first time you bake is keep a good eye on it, but don't open the oven too much(you don't want to temperature going up and down!)!



County Fair Season is Upon Us!

This weekend has been crazy! Friday was spent organizing the garage (and finding out about more tools than I ever knew we had) and facing a major disaster the day before my entry to the County Fair was due. Saturday was spent at the County Fair grounds helping to check in exhibitors and their exhibits, running kids back and forth for interactive judging and going on an unsuccessful hunt for fresh picked strawberries from any roadside stand. Sunday (that would be today) was spent at a new church (with no one that I knew), I successfully hunted down my fresh strawberries, then I went on to make strawberry jam and a strawberry crisp. And then tomorrow I’m due back at the County Fair grounds to help set up the indoor exhibits for the Fair! I love County Fair time! I don’t currently have any book reviews for county fairs, but I just ordered a bunch from the library that I’m going to check out and read and I’ll update on those soon! God Bless

I just though of this...a really good County Fair song that comes to mind has to be "I Like It, I Love It" by Tim McGraw!

Breadmaking

Saturday my dad made this amazing garlic olive oil for some tri-tip sandwiches and we have a ton left over. He's been on me to make more bread to use for dipping. So finally today I did, it is currently baking in the oven. I use a really simple recipe water, yeast, all-purpose flour and salt, that's it! I got it from one of the heaviest cookbooks we own How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
This cookbook was actually the cook book that introduced me to homemade breads!

The best part about How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman is that the book is set up for the most beginner cook. It is the perfect cookbook for the college dorm! So for all those high school seniors graduating and going off to college this year, this is the book for you!

The book includes sections on equipment, about the difference between different types of pots and pans, knives, food safety, the basic equipment needed in your kitchen. It explains different methods of cooking, like grilling, roasting, stir-frying, and more! Then it goes into appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, grains, breads, pizza, sandwiches, fish, poultry, beans, veggies, fruits, desserts, and the list goes on and on! I have seriously read this cookbook like a novel! It is amazing!

I cannot say enough good things about this book! We acquired it somehow many years ago (I can't remember how...), but it is a cookbook I would rather not live without.

I've become so involved with writing this I almost didn't notice the most intoxicating aroma coming from my kitchen right now, my simple french bread is about to come out of the oven! Oh the heavenly smell and taste of fresh homemade french bread.

For this particular bread it is excellent with spagetti, as sandwiches, and of course dipping in garlic olive oil! Enjoy and God Bless!