Don't worry, you didn't miss anything last month. With the busyness of October, between preschool screenings and fieldtrips to the pumpkin patch, the Cookbook never made it to the blog. But for November, I made sure it would get done.
I'll be honest, while I love Thanksgiving, the meaning and history behind the day is a little beyond my four-year-old's understanding. Trying to explain about Pilgrims in Plymouth and a harsh winter leads to more questions than I can possibly answer. So I take a step back with him and my preschoolers and instead talk about sharing a meal with the people that are most important.
Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving the same way. Not everyone cooks a whole turkey (I don't), or makes pumpkin pie. Some people turn their nose up at canned cranberry sauce, while others insist that cornbread belongs in stuffing. Some families wear their fanciest clothes, while others wear their stretchiest sweatpants. But the one thing we all have in common? We're breaking bread with those who matter to us, who we are thankful to have in our lives.
And then it came to me, this month's Cookbook selection: bread.
It sounds terribly complicated to make (all that kneading and rising time) but I promise it doesn't have to be. The the goal of Cookbook is to share recipes and other ways to get kids in the kitchen, and get them around new foods. The recipe I share below is one I have made many times in my own kitchen, with my own little helper. The result is a delicious sandwich bread that will go great with all of those Thanksgiving leftovers.
And while you're waiting for the dough to rise (twice), Karma Wilson's Bear Says Thanks is a great story to get you in the mood to spend time with those you love. I absolutely love this series. While available on Amazon as well as through the Monroe County Library, click the picture below to find a short and sweet Read-A-Loud!
Basic Sandwich Bread
(courtesy of @living_like_randalls )
Note: Recipe can easily be doubled, etc.
Ingredients:
2 cups warm water
1 pkg yeast
1/4 c melted butter
1/4 c honey or sugar
2 tsp salt
5-6 c flour
Mix water, yeast, and sugar/honey and let it sit for 10 minutes til bubbly
Once your butter is cooled, add the rest of the ingredients to the water mixture and knead for 10 minutes
Let set in a warm place for 1 hour
Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf, then place it in your loaf pan for baking
Let set in a warm place for 1 hour
Bake in oven at 360 for 40 minutes
*****
Happy baking and reading!
P.S. A reminder to all that there is no therapy the week of Thanksgiving :)
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