French Press Review

I received a Mr. Coffee French Press as a birthday gift from my sister several months ago and I have enjoyed it so much that I wanted to write a product review style post about the press. :)

The Mr. Coffee French Press comes in a box like this.

The componets to this french press include a 1 quart glass carafe, a metel and plastic frame with a handle, and a mesh plunger attached to the lid.

The instructions are very simple and easy to understand.

Step 1.
Bring water to a boil on stove.

Step 2.
Measure coffee grounds or tea leaves into the carafe.

Step 3.
Pour boiling water in and position the lid/plunger on top.

Step 4.
With even pressure push plunger all the way down. For tea allow the leaves to steep 3 to 5 minutes before plunging.

Now you can enjoy fresh coffee or tea with minimal effort and less counterspace being taken up by an appliance!

I really enjoy making loose leaf teas with my French Press and Mr. In The Mid-west really likes to make coffee with it.
In fact, he is thinking about buying one that he can keep at work so that he can make fresh coffee while on break.

The parts are easy to wash and it doesn't take a lot of space to store.
We really like our French Press and use it daily. A big, "Thank you!" to my sister for this gift!

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 011

Matthew 16:3

KJV
 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

NIV
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


ESV
 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


NRSV
And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


In which version does Jesus sound like a man, and in which versions does he sound like a pansy?

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 010

Matthew 15:8

KJV
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.


NIV
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.


ESV
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;


NRSV
‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me;

Sourdough Rye Onion Caraway Seed Rolls

I am going to be linking this post with the Sourdough Surprizes blog. This the last time they are doing a monthy challenge. (sniffle)
The theme was Holiday Breads. This recipe is kind of stretch, but since it is the last linky party they will be hosting they said I could go ahead and enter. :) Isn't that sweet! I am kind of sad that they won't be doing their challenges any more, but they have a wealth of sourdough recipes in the archives. :)



This my favorite type of bread to make with my sourdough starter.

Rye Onion Caraway Seed Rolls

1 cup sourdough starter
1 cup kefir
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 Tbs. Caraway seeds
2 Tbs. molasses
2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 cup rye flour
2 1/2 - 3 cups whole wheat flour

In a large bowl stir together the starter, kefir, onions, Caraway seeds, molasses, and salt. 
Stir in a cup of the wheat flour and beat for a minute.
Stir the egg into the mixture.
Gradually add the rest of the wheat and rye flour.
Rest 20 minutes to allow the flour to fully hydrate.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes. The dough should be elastic. You may need to add some more wheat flour if the dough is too sticky to handle, but the dough should be fairly wet.
Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft free area. Allow to rise until doubled, 6-12 hours.
When risen shape into rolls and place on a greased baking sheet, a few inches apart.
Cover with towel and allow to rise, 1-2 hours.
Bake in a preheated 350* F. oven for 25-30 minutes.
Enjoy!

I really like these served warm with cream cheese. I think they are such a treat!

Hummus Recipe

Hummus

• 1 16 oz. can or 1 1/2 cups cooked garbanzo beans
• juice of one lemon or1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cloves of garlic
• dash of cayenne

Blend in a food processor until smooth. Enjoy as a spread or dip with vegetables, warm pita chip, or toast.
 

My Favorite Corn Bread Recipe

There are many styles of cornbread. Cornbread can be sweet, it can be made with flour or without  flour, it can be rich, it can be cake-like, it can be crumbly, and on and on.

I am not a purist that claims cornbread is not "authentic" if it has sugar, if it has eggs, if it is not 100% stone ground heirloom cornmeal.

I am a Northern girl and apparently that means I am not qualified to judge what "real" cornbread is in some circles.

 My jar of bacon grease that I store in the fridge.

 With that being said I have found that I do prefer a cornbread made with bacon grease and buttermilk, without sugar and without flour, and baked in a cast iron skillet. Some would consider this the most "real" or "Southern" (those words seem to be synonyms) cornbread of all.

You can read a really interesting article about where the whole, "Cornbread should not have sugar," sentiment came from HERE.

Mr. In The Mid-West prefers his cornbread to have a little sweetness and with more bread qualities. (More like the recipe I wrote about in this post.) So,I get to enjoy this recipe all by myself. :) It makes a very yummy breakfast after Mr. In The Mid-West is off to work in the morning.

With all of the disclaimers out of the way I am going to share my favorite cornbread recipe.

No Flour Cornbread

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbs. bacon grease

Mix all ingredients, except for the bacon grease, in a bowl.

Heat oven to 425* F.

Heat bacon grease in a 8 inch cast iron skillet on stove until it is about to start smoking.

Swirl the grease around in the skillet to grease the sides. Pour grease into bowl with other ingredients, stirring as you pour.  

Mix well and pour into hot skillet.

Bake 15-20 minutes. 

Remove from oven and invert on a cooling rack to remove cornbread from skillet. Cool slightly before serving.

This recipe can easily be doubled and cooked in a 12 inch skillet.

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 009

Matthew 12:35

KJV
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

NIV
 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

ESV
 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

NRSV
 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.

Quick Tip: Onion Flavored Bagels

I really like onion flavored bagels.

I have not been able to re-create the same onion-y flavor as you would expect from Panera's bakery. I have come pretty close and I will share my tip.

I have tried using dehydrated onion flakes. I have also tried fresh onion minced in tiny pieces. Both with unsatisfactory results.

The most success I have had is by grating the onion with a cheese grater, dipping the bagels (after they are boiled and before they're baked) into the onion juices and spooning some pureed onion bits on top.
This method produces a satisfying onion flavor in the fresh warm bagels. The flavor fades as the bagels age, though, so there is room for improvement.

.
If you know of a better way to make onion flavored bagels let me know! :)