Bready or Not

Bready or Not recipe blog

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

Posted by on May 5, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, brownies, cake, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

Sometimes you just need a few brownies. That’s the perfect time for this Small Batch Cakey Brownies recipe.

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

These are not monstrously thick brownies. They are thin with a crackled top, with a nice, cakey moist crumb.

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

I created this recipe by combining about four other recipes, trying to find a middle ground recipe that my son would like. This is the one that turned out to be the winner.

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

Even better, I found out these brownies kept well for an entire week in a sealed container at room temperature–and who knows, maybe they could last a lot longer? In any case, there’s no urgent need to gorge on them lest they go bad.

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

These brownies are all about goodness.

 

Bready or Not Original: Small Batch Cakey Brownies

This recipe makes a small, thin batch of delicious cakey brownies. These have a crackled top with loads of chocolate flavor below.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brownies, chocolate
Author: Beth Cato

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cake flour
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees. Line a 9x9 or 8×8-inch pan with foil, letting foil overhang each side. Apply nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and butter on high in 30 second increments, stirring between each burst, until everything is melted. Let cool slightly.
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, in a large bowl beat together the sugar and eggs for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are pale, light, and fluffy. Pour in the cooled chocolate and butter mixture, followed by the vanilla.
  • Combine the salt and both flours in a bowl. Stir in the chocolate chips. Fold flour mix into the wet ingredients. Pour into the prepared pan and even out.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool completely. Use foil onto a cutting board to slice into bars.
  • Brownies will keep for upwards of a week in a sealed container at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    Posted by on Apr 28, 2021 in alcohol, bacon, Blog, boozy, Bready or Not, cheese galore, gluten-free, main dish, pork, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    This Pancetta Risotto is a fantastic meal for two people, or a delicious side for a group. It’s time-consuming but very straightforward to make.

    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    I confess, I spent years being intimidated by the very idea of a risotto. I would see it done on cooking shows. So much stirring! When I finally got up the gumption to give it a try, I found risotto wasn’t hard at all. It really is about lots of stirring.

    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    This recipe here is my fancy occasion recipe, especially when I have some good pancetta on hand, such as the kind carried by Smoking Goose Meatery out of Indianapolis.

    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    As for the wine, I’ve tried this with fancier Sauvignon Blanc from Total Wine (Cloudy Bay from New Zealand) as well as a $6 Trader Joe’s Coastal Sauvignon Blanc. Both versions turned out great! You don’t need to go all-out, but get something that is (hopefully) drinkable with the finished meal.

    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

    Homemade risotto requires time standing at the stove, but makes for delicious results. This recipe takes about 45 minutes to an hour to completion, depending on your stove. Note that a small amount of bacon can be substituted for the pancetta, but it is much stronger in flavor and colors the risotto brown.
    Course: Main Course, pork
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: alcohol, cheese, pork, rice
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • large stock pot
    • medium saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz pancetta diced
    • 1 Tablespoon dried shallots or fresh shallot, finely minced
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
    • 1 cup dry white wine Sauvignon Blanc works well
    • 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock, equal to a 32 oz box or 2 cans
    • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano, plus more to top rice
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large stock pot, cook the pancetta for 10 to 12 minutes, until it starts to turn brown and crispy. At the same time, on another stove burner, use a medium sauce pan to bring the chicken broth to a very low simmer.
    • Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Add dry shallots and garlic to the fat in the big pot. Sauté for two minutes. Add the Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Sauté another 2 minutes, until the rice looks glossy with translucent edges.
    • Add the white wine and stir until it is absorbed. Add chicken broth in 1/2 cup increments, stirring well after each addition until it is absorbed. After about 12 to 15 minutes, when most of the broth has been added, begin to taste the rice. The goal is a chewy, al dente consistency. Add more broth as needed, and remember to turn off the burner for the broth pot when it is empty.
    • When the rice is creamy and al dente, stir in the pancetta and cheese. Taste the risotto again, adding more salt and pepper as needed. Serve with the remaining white wine.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      Posted by on Apr 21, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake, lemon | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      For times when you want some cake, not a huge cake, this Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake is about perfect.

      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      It’s not some huge thing to store. It doesn’t take forever to make. It’s easy to slice up, individually wrap, and freeze portions for later.

      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      Plus, it’s delicious. The cake is like a pound cake, soft and moist, with lemon and orange zest throughout. The bits of candied orange add a different texture in the mix.

      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      Then there’s that luscious glaze. It’s not a heavy frosting, but a boost of sweetness to balance the zing of the citrus.

      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      This is a great spring and summer kind of kind, one that tastes fresh and bright!

      I modified this recipe from my favorite food magazine, Bake from Scratch, the March/April 2020 issue.

      Bready or Not: Glazed Citrus Loaf Cake

      This loaf cake is infused with citrus flavor and sweetness. A slice is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert! Modified from Bake from Scratch March/April 2020.
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
      Cuisine: Dutch
      Keyword: citrus, lemon, loaf cake
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 9x5 loaf pan
      • parchment paper

      Ingredients

      Loaf

      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
      • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
      • 2 medium lemons
      • 1 medium orange
      • 4 large eggs room temperature
      • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
      • 2 cups cake flour
      • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1/3 cup milk room temperature
      • 1 teaspoon cake flour
      • 1/2 cup candied orange slices finely chopped

      Vanilla Glaze

      • 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar plus more if needed
      • 2 Tablespoons half & half or heavy cream
      • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

      Instructions

      • Wash, dry, and zest both lemons and orange. Set aside the fruit for another use.
      • Preheat oven at 325-degrees. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit into a loaf pan and extend up the long sides, like a sling. Apply nonstick spray in pan, then press in parchment and add more spray. Set aside.
      • In a big bowl, beat butter, sugar, and zests together until they are fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl often. Add eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla paste. The batter may look a bit curdled.
      • In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add it into the butter mix along with the milk. Batter will now be thick.
      • In a small bowl, toss together the candied orange bits and the teaspoon of cake flour to coat. Fold it into the batter.
      • Pour everything into the prepared loaf pan and even out the top.
      • Bake for 40 minutes. Rotate pan in oven. Bake for another 40 minutes. Test the middle with a toothpick for doneness, and bake for another 5 to 20 minutes, until the toothpick comes out clean.
      • Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then use the parchment to lift it onto a rack to cool completely.
      • Make the vanilla glaze by mixing together all the ingredients until they are smooth and at a thick, pourable consistency. Immediately drizzle and smear over the top of the cake, letting excess artfully drip over the sides. Let glaze set for 30 minutes, then slice in.
      • Wrap cake and keep at room temperature. It can also be cut into individual slices and frozen for later enjoyment.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        Posted by on Apr 14, 2021 in alcohol, Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, yeast bread | 2 comments

        These Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls taste as good as they look. Seriously.

        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        When the pandemic sent everything topsy-turvy in spring 2020, my husband ended up working from home more often. That meant I needed to feed him more often.

        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        So, like so many people, I started baking more bread. These rolls were among the first of my experiments, and they were a major hit.

        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        The original recipe from New York Times Cooking made a huge batch of rolls. I needed enough rolls to feed one guy, with a extras frozen for later.

        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        I rewrote the recipe to delicious results. I used a Guilt Lifter beer to make these, which lent a refreshing hoppy flavor. A heavier and darker beer will create heavier and darker flavor. Try different beers to suit your tastes and match your meal.

        Bready or Not: Cheddar Beer Bread Rolls

        Make a batch of about a dozen cheesy rolls with this straightforward yeast bread recipe! Beer lends some hoppy flavor to the dough, along with a boost of yeast. These rolls are fantastic fresh, but can also be frozen and heated up later for a delicious side dish. This recipe is halved and otherwise modified from a New York Times Cooking recipe.
        Course: Bread
        Cuisine: American
        Keyword: alcohol, beer, cheese, yeast bread
        Servings: 12 rolls
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 2 8-or 9-inch cake pans
        • 2.5-inch round cutter
        • plastic wrap
        • basting brush

        Ingredients

        • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter divided
        • 3 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
        • 1/2 Tablespoons instant yeast
        • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
        • 2 Tablespoons honey
        • 1 cup beer room temperature
        • 1 cup shredded cheese 120 grams

        Instructions

        • Divide the two tablespoons of butter in half, separating them to soften at room temperature.
        • In a stand mixer with a bread hook attachment, stir together the flour, yeast, and salt. Follow up with 1 tablespoon of softened butter, honey, and beer. Mix on low speed for 4 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed. Increase the speed to medium for another 2 minutes, pulling the dough from the hook a few times. Add about half the cheese, reserving the rest to go on top later. Mix the cheese until it's distributed through the dough.
        • Lightly grease a large bowl. Transfer the dough there and cover with plastic wrap or a towel to let it rise until it's about doubled in size, about an hour.
        • Grease the two cake pans. Prepare a lightly floured surface and tip the dough onto it. Pat the dough out into a thick, even layer. Use the cutter to slice out rolls. Place them not quite touching in the pans. Reform scraps as much as possible to shape into more rolls. The rolls likely won't quite fill both pans.
        • Cover pans with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise again for 35 to 45 minutes. They may not increase a lot in size, but they should look puffy.
        • Preheat oven at 400-degrees.
        • Pull out remaining pat of butter and cheese. Brush the soft butter over the rolls, and follow up with a sprinkling of cheese. Try to keep the cheese from touching the edge of the pan, where it could burn.
        • Place both pans in the oven and bake until the rolls are browned and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. A digital thermometer in a center roll should read 190-degrees at minimum.
        • Let cool for at least 10 minutes before (carefully) pulling apart and serving.
        • Rolls can keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen and thawed for later enjoyment. They taste best hot. For best results, wrap them in foil and bake at 400 for about 10 minutes to warm them through.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          Posted by on Apr 7, 2021 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate, no-bake dessert, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          When you need a dessert in a hurry, these delicious No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars are the way to go.

          Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          I especially enjoy this recipe because it doesn’t involve the oven, which is a wonderful thing during Arizona summers.Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          These bars come together in minutes thanks to a microwave, and they only need a few hours to set. You end up with an entire casserole dish of candy bars. Yum.

          Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          Use crunchy or creamy peanut butter. I used a jar from Trader Joe’s that had flaxseeds mixed in, and my son didn’t like it. This recipe gave me a way to use it up by sending the result with my husband to work!

          Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          This would be an easy recipe to dress up, too. Add sprinkles, nuts, or cacao nibs atop the chocolate. Have fun with it!

          Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

          This quick and easy microwave-based recipe uses most of a pound jar of peanut butter to whip up a whole casserole dish of delicious candy bars.
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Cuisine: American
          Keyword: chocolate, no bake, peanut butter
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 13x9 pan
          • large microwave-safe bowl
          • uneven spatula

          Ingredients

          Bars

          • 2 cups peanut butter crunchy or smooth
          • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
          • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
          • 2 cups confectioners' sugar

          Ganache

          • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips semisweet, dark, milk, or a mix
          • 1/4 cup peanut butter crunchy or smooth

          Instructions

          • Line a 13x9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
          • In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt together the peanut butter and butter by zapping in short increments and stirring well between each pass. Once they mix together, stir in the graham cracker crumbs and confectioners' sugar. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan. Use a hands or maybe a piece of waxed paper and a heavy glass to compress the layer as much as possible.
          • Use the same microwave-safe bowl to bowl for the chocolate chips and peanut butter, again zapping in brief increments and stirring well between each burst. Once they can mix together smoothly, dump dollops atop the layer in the pan. Use an uneven spatula to even out the chocolate to the edges.
          • Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
          • Use the foil to lift the contents onto a cutting board. Let sit for about 10 minutes, enough time to soften the chocolate so that it doesn't shatter when sliced. Use a long knife or sharp bench knife to cut bars. If desired, cut off edges first to produce neater pieces to share.
          • Store bars in a sealed container in the fridge with waxed paper between the layers. Keeps for days.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            Posted by on Mar 31, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, brownies, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            These Triple-Chocolate Brownies are loaded with three kinds of chocolate, cocoa, and a unique blend of flours: all-purpose along with chickpea flour.

            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            What does the chickpea flour do for the recipe? Well, it handles moisture differently. That makes these dense, moist, in a texturally more complex way than the usual all-wheat-flour brownies.

            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            The flavor is also more complex. Soon after baking, these brownies taste almost like they have breakfast cereal mixed in. You can tell something is different.

            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            Like a lot of chocolate baked goods, though, these taste better after a day. In these brownies, that means the complicated flavors deepen. They taste more chocolaty, more delicious.

            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            If you don’t want to fuss with a big bag of chickpea flour, check out your local grocery or natural goods stores that have flours in bins. In the Phoenix area, that includes Sprouts and WinCo.

            Once you make these brownies, though, you may want to make them again soon, so maybe a larger amount of chickpea flour isn’t a bad thing.

            Modified from February 2020 Bake from Scratch/Bob’s Red Mill lesson.

            Bready or Not: Triple-Chocolate Brownies

            These luscious brownies are loaded with three kinds of chocolate, cocoa, and a unique blend of flours: all-purpose along with chickpea flour. These brownies will taste better after a day to chill in the fridge. Modified from February 2020 Bake from Scratch/Bob’s Red Mill lesson.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Cuisine: American
            Keyword: brownies, chickpeas, chocolate
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • 9×13 baking pan

            Ingredients

            • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate divided
            • 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips divided
            • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, cubed
            • 1 cup white sugar
            • 1 cup brown sugar packed
            • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1/2 cup chickpea flour
            • 1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder sifted
            • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
            • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
            • 4 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten
            • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
            • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 325-degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
            • Using a double boiler on the stove top or a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, melt together 1 cup of dark chocolate/semi-sweet chocolate chips, 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips, and butter. Heat until it can be stirred smooth. Remove from heat and stir in all of the sugar. Set aside.
            • In a medium bowl, mix together both flours, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso powder. Set aside.
            • Return to the chocolate bowl. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, and follow up with the rest of the three kinds of chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
            • Bake until the center passes the toothpick test, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely at room temperature or speed the process in the fridge. Use the foil to lift the contents onto a cutting board. Slice into bars.
            • Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to a week. Like many chocolate baked goods, these brownies will actually taste better after the first day as the flavor intensifies.

            OM NOM NOM!

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