October 8- No cooking class

We will not have class on Friday, October 8th. Sorry... we will be away on a teacher workshop.
Keep adding to the blog your comments and what you would like to make for future classes!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

(Makes 12 muffins)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Line twelve 1/3-cup muffin cups with foil muffin liners.
3. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl.
4. Mix mashed bananas, egg, melted butter and milk in medium bowl.
5. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients just until blended (do not overmix).
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
8. Bake muffins until tops are pale golden and tester inserted into center comes out with some melted chocolate attached but no crumbs, about 32 minutes.
9. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

Why All Purpose Flour?

Flour is milled from different varieties of wheat containing different amounts of protein. And it’s the different levels of protein that give each type its own unique qualities.

In general, flour made from harder wheat (like bread flour) is higher in protein and gluten, making it ideal for crusty breads and yeast-risen products. Flour made from softer wheat (like cake flour) contains less protein and gluten, making it more appropriate for lighter, more tender goods like cakes and biscuits.

A combination of hard and soft wheat is milled to produce all-purpose flour. The resulting medium protein content offers just the right balance of strength and tenderness for the everyday baker to make chewy breads, delicate tarts and everything in between.

All-purpose flour is available bleached or unbleached. Bleached flour has been treated with bleaching chemicals after milling to make it whiter.

What do you really want to learn how to make?

We want to know what you are dying to make? What is your favorite dish? Make a comment and let us know!

Oven Baked Mac and Cheese

(Serves 6)

Ingredients

• 1 8 oz box of elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 2 Tsp. butter
• 2 Tbs. flour
• 1 c. milk
• 1 c. cream
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 c. shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 c. shredded Gouda, Monterrey Jack, Swiss, Mozzarella, or other hard cheese
• 1/2 c. buttered breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C)
2. Grease a 2 qt. casserole dish.
3. Prepare macaroni by directions from the package, and drain well.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
5. Add flour and stir until thickened (about 5-10 min).
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Add cheese gradually and stir until melted.
8. Turn off burner.
9. Add macaroni and stir.
10. Pour mixture into 2 qt. greased casserole dish and bake 40-45 minutes.

**If using breadcrumbs, sprinkle them on before baking.