Finally back in the kitchen with homemade bread

I am back! It seems as though I am finally out of the fast lane and can stop to smell the roses. It has been a very hectic 6 weeks or so. Saying "good-bye to my parents was very difficult. Packing them up had some pretty emotional moments, but they are happily and safely living in Rosharon, Texas with my younger sister. I have popped in on your blogs as much as I could and it is safe to say that I am way behind. While packing my parents I pretty much lived on bean and potato burritos, falafel, and toast. I am so ready to eat GREEN!!!!! I miss living food. After checking so many of your blogs I don't know where to start. You are all such wonderful and inventive chefs! Thank you to all of you who kept checking in on me and not forgettng me. Look out kitchen here I come! It is so nice to back in your own kitchen with the supplies you need to make VEGAN meals.

On a perfect note, our grandson is doing wonderful. Growing like and weed and melting our hearts every time we seem him. He has spent the night with Gma and Gpa twice and slept through the night for us on both occasions. He has rolled over from his tummy to his back and is now beginning to grab for things. Especially Gma's hair. :o)

Mommy leaving her pride and joy overnight with us for the first time. Poor Brandie was being brave, but was crying before she walked out the door. Just in case you all wondering, Brandie and her husband had a wonderful time together even though they missed there little one immensely.

Here we are getting ready to leave for church. We had to wake him up to dress him for church. I don't think he really woke up until we got to church. Gma loves her little man.

Gpa isn't proud or anything is he?

Being so ready to get back in the kitchen I was asked to demonstrate homemade bread at the ladies preparedness night at church. I did not want to do it, but I just don't ever say no. It was good to be cooking again and had a blast doing it. Just the kind of therapy the doctor order. I used the Dave's Killer 100% whole wheat Bread Recipe over at Everyday dish. Julie has amazing guests and recipes for all of us to try. Stop by and check her site out. I only have 2 bread pans and was on a roll so I improvised and made "whole wheat french loaves" and "whole wheat muffins" along with regular sandwich loaves. I made the recipe as it is written for the sandwich loaves, but went from molasses to honey for the "french loaves and muffins" This bread is KILLER bread. Thanks Dave and Julie!

Tradition Sandwich Style Bread

French Style

Tasty muffin or roll style

Spicy Vegan Italian Sausage and Whole Wheat Bread

First let me tell everyone thank you for your kind thoughts during our past couple of weeks with the loss of Eddie. I was told that the best place to be during sadness is in the kitchen so here you have what I have been cooking.

Spicey Vegan Italian Sausage! Yes, folks you heard it right. Julie did it. She made a wonderful Vegan Italian Sausage and shared the recipe with all of us. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of a "chicken seasoning". Julie uses Bills Best Chik'Nish seasoning and advises that if you use another one be careful about the amount of salt you add. I used Bryanna's homemade "Chicken seasoning" and wasn't sure so I cut the salt way back in my recipe. Next time I will keep the amount of salt in the recipe the same. I guess Bryanna's is not too salty. Anyway the amount of spice is fantastic. I did use the optional fennel seed and red pepper flakes. AWESOME taste and texture. My uncle has a Summer Sausage recipe that is out of this world. I am hoping to use his seasonings with this recipe and make a vegan version. I think this recipe has limitless possibilities. I hope everyone out there give it a try. No kneading, boiling, or baking. These are steamed!

Here you see them after cooking and cooling.

Sliced browned up in a non-stick skillet and ready for eating. My dear omni hubby loves them. He ate them right out of the foil. Brandie came over and decided baby kidlet (she's pregnant) needed them too. lolDH has asked to have them in spaghetti and a dish I used to make with

Kielbasa and sauerkraut. I told him add them to the weekly menu. :o)

Vivacious Vegan makes a very light and completely whole wheat bread. Very simple recipe that she adapted from another blogger. You use whole wheat flour, vital wheat gluten, salt, olive oil, molasses, water, and yeast. Try going to a store and seeing those few ingredients in a loaf of bread. After my 2lb loaf was done cooking DH couldn't believe it when he picked it up. Light as a feather. We were both amazed. I usually make a hearty, heavier bread, but thought

I would give this a try. Fantastic!

Look how light and fluffy this bread is. Yum!

Enjoy everyone! See you in the kitchen. :o)