Crusty Bread

Crusty Bread 

Ingredients:

3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon Instant or Rapid-rise yeast

1 1/2 cups water


Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours. Overnight works great.

Heat oven to 450 degrees. When the oven has reached 450 degrees place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating.

Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough. Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.

Fried Spinach Bites

Fried Spinach Bites

Ingredients:

3 packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 8 oz can water chestnuts, finely chopped

2 green onions, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

Black pepper to taste

Canola oil, for frying

1 egg, beaten

½ cup flour

½ cup panko breadcrumbs


Directions:

Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl. It is best to use a hand mixer here. Add spinach, cheese, bacon, green onions, water chestnuts, garlic, and black pepper, and mix.

Chill the dip in the refrigerator until firm. Roll the dip into bite-sized balls-- you don't want them to be too big or the ratio of spinach dip filling to crunchy outside will be off. Set the balls on a baking sheet.

Heat oil in a heavy pot or wok over medium-high.
Beat the egg in a shallow bowl. Place the flour in another shallow bowl, and the panko breadcrumbs in a third.

Coat the balls in flour, then egg, and then panko. If it seems like they have empty spaces, double-coat them.

Fry 4-5 at a time until golden brown, flipping half-way through. Using a slotted spoon, remove the Spinach Dip Bites from the oil and let drain on a paper towel lined plate.