Hawaiian Rolls: Copy Cat Recipe

I am not sure where I found this copycat recipe for the Hawaiian Rolls a couple of years ago; however, no matter the occasion, whether Thanksgiving, Christmas or an everyday dinner they are fantastic and will not last long.

 

Ingredients for Hawaiian Rolls:

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice; room temperature 
• 1/2 cup warm milk (100 – 110°F)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Himalayan salt; my preference
• 2 1/4  teaspoons instant yeast
• 4 1/2  cups bread flour

For baking:

• 1 large egg plus 2 tablespoon of water for the egg wash

Directions for making Hawaiian Rolls:

 

I use a bread maker for making all my breads. At one time, my younger years, I mixed and kneaded it all by hand. I do like my bread maker, however, you use the method most comfortable for you.

1. Combine the pineapple juice, warm milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and yeast.

   

   Egg washed and ready for the oven

2.  Add the flour little by little and stir and mix until it's a ball.  Keep kneading the dough until it becomes a smooth ball of dough. (See why I like my bread maker)
3. Place the dough in a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until puffy and doubled in size, about 1 hour. In the bread maker this step is not necessary, on the dough setting it will mix, heat and rise automatically.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
5.  Spray a 13-inch×9-inch glass baking pan with baking spray. Punch down the dough and divide to 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place in the prepared pan, brush each roll with the egg wash and allow them to rise once again.
6. Bake the Hawaiian rolls for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Homemade Egg Noodles

My family loves homemade egg noodles, therefore, I used this cold snowy day to make, cut and dry the noodles we will eat on Thanksgiving Day.

Homemade Popeye Noodles

When I was growing up my mom made homemade popeye noodles. They are a thicker cut square noodle verses the think cut noodle using a noodle machine. I am not sure when mom purchased the noodle machines and started making them in bulk to sell at the Fall craft show we sponsored, however, when she did a day of making noodles was a huge project.

After mom passed away in November 2009 her things were divided and the noodle makers went different directions. Some time back in the spring my oldest sister asked me if I would like the one she had. She is gluten intolerant so doesn't make noodles like she once did, and I was happy to get it.

I made noodles early summer; some with all-purpose white flour and some whole wheat. The whole wheat noodles were good, however, they are a much heavier noodle.

While I have many times, made the dough by hand with the mixing, punching and kneading method, I have to confess, the bread maker comes in handy to make the job a little easier. 

I still knead the dough a little as it is poured out onto a floured cutting board to get the texture firm enough to run through the noodle maker, however, the bulk of the mixing is done in the bread maker.

Ingredients for Homemade Egg Noodles:

• 6 Eggs
• 3 Cups flour 
• garlic powder; optional
• onion powder; optional
• salt and pepper; optional

 

Instructions for Homemade Egg Noodles:

1. Using a large bowl pour the flour making a well in the center for the eggs.
2. Add the eggs, using your hands mix it all together to get a soft dough ball.
3. Pour it out onto a well floured board and punch it around (knead it) until you have a soft and pliable dough. You want the dough soft yet firm, therefore adding more flour may be necessary.
4. If you are cutting by hand, you will need to roll the dough on the floured board as thin as possible before cutting into noodles. If you are using a noodle maker start on the thickest setting and roll it out until you get to the desired thickness before running through the cutter. 

No matter which way you choose to make your homemade egg noodles they will taste great, however, if you are not going to cook them the same day; lay the noodles out to dry completely before storing them.

Trash Can Turkey: Moist and Delicious

I had never heard of trash can turkey until 2012 when our son-n-law and daughter heard about it  and then made it for us as the Thanksgiving Day main dish. Oh my it was moist and delicious. I have had it since then, once in the summer months, turkey does not have to be saved just for Thanksgiving. If you like grilling out, you need to try trash can turkey.

 

 Supplies to make a Trash Can Turkey:

o 1 Roll of heavy aluminum foil
o A shovel
o 1 foil covered 2-inch x 2-inch wood post, rebar rod or doll rod
o Bricks; optional
o 1 Big bag of your favorite charcoal
o 1 Turkey; big enough for your family event
o 1 New and never used metal trash can
o Wheelbarrow or bucket for ashes
o 1 Pair of Heavy Gloves

Instructions to make Trash Can Turkey:

1. Even though you are using a new trash can, you never know who has been handling it, use hot water and rinse it out. However, just washing the can is not enough. You have to burn it out several times to get all the galvanized chemicals out so they don't cook into bird!
2.  Bury the post, whichever you choose to use, about 6-inches deep in the ground. Then cover it with foil then cover the ground for about 2-3 feet around your post with foil. 
3. Our son-n-law then added 2 foil-covered bricks beside the post for the turkey to rest on. As an added bonus, he made a ring of bricks to go around the trash can and for the coals to rest in.
   Using another large patch of foil start some charcoal burning down to use to bake the trash can turkey.
4. After the coal have started burning good, place your turkey on the post legs down 
5. Place the trash can down over the turkey, making sure to center the trash can over the turkey.
6.  Shovel the burning coals around the outside of the trash can, pile the hot coals around the entire base and up approximately 1-2 inches over the lip of the can. ***This is where the bricks come in handy; they help keep the coals piled up where needed.
7.   Cover the bottom of the trash can with hot coals. Now just set back and let the turkey bake.
8. Using the heavy gloves grab and lift the trash can. The can will be extremely hot, PLEASE be careful. 
9. Carefully remove the baked turkey with a large fork or other of heavy utensils, serve up and enjoy.

Serving up the Trash Can Turkey

 

I teased our daughter that she was serving us trashy turkey, however, this turkey was not trashy, this trash can turkey was moist and delicious. Trash can turkey would be great for a super bowl party treat.

I Have been Busy

Since being home from my Grandparents Day Kentucky trip, I have been playing catch up on many things. I had neglected writing for Bubblews so definitely had to get caught up. Saturday much of the day was multi-tasking doing a bit of everything in-between cooking down my largest pumpkin.

After church on Sunday, I did some Christmas shopping and think I am nearly done, well except minor purchases and wrapping everything. Of course, with my husband being home alone for a week, I had dishes, laundry and a house to clean. I also have my clients that awaiting their turn.

Yesterday Indiana was windy and cold which was perfect timing for baking the pumpkin bread I am taking to church for the Thanksgiving meal for the community and share with our own family in Thanksgiving celebrations.

Tonight is pumpkin soup night, the big pumpkin I cooked down provided me with 30-cups of processed pumpkin puree`.  Friday or Saturday I will make Gluten-free pumpkin bread for my sis.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe on Bubblews

Creating a New Normal with Exercise

OK, not only is it a new year, but also new exercise program has been started. With the closing of 
Curves for Women in my town, I joined a gym that has men and women. To me this was a bit intimidating, I don't like to shake my fat in front of women and the thought of doing it front of men was really not in my plans. Well plans change therefore creating a new normal with exercise.

I struggled at first doing the stepper, the elliptical and treadmill for any length of time. I now try to do everyday, if the machines are available, .5 mile on the stepper, 1.5-2 miles on the elliptical series of reps on weight machines followed with 1-1.5 miles on the treadmill. I also try to push myself for faster times and higher inclines.

I am still struggling with my weight as I really baked and ate to much from Thanksgiving thru the New Year. Therefore, it's my motive to reduce the waistline and improve my health in 2013 by creating a new normal with exercise.