Sourdough Starter and Bread

Let's be serious. If you've had sourdough bread before, you know how amazing it is. If you haven't, you're missing out! There's something so good about the taste that makes you crave it. You won't want to make just one loaf! I love making bread. I don't know what it is, but there's something so tasty and so much better about homemade bread compared to store-bought bread. This recipe takes a little longer than your normal bread (because you have to make the starter), but if you keep up with the starter, you'll be able to make loaves of bread whenever you want! The starter is also a fun little thing to give to your friends and neighbors, so that they can enjoy making their own sourdough bread too!

Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Starter:
1 Tbsp. yeast  $.15
1 cup warm water
1 cup flour  $.08
1 Tbsp. sugar  

In non-metal bowl (best to maintain it in a large glass jar), dissolve yeast in water. Stir in flour and sugar. Loosely cover the bowl or jar and let the mixture stand for 2-3 days (the mixture becomes bubbly, frothy, and smells sour. If it hasn't started bubbling after 24 hours, start again).

Once you've prepared the starter (after the 2 or 3 days), store in refrigerator, loosely covered. Once you've used part of the starter, you'll need to replace it if you want more starter for later on. If so, replenish it by adding 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1/2 tsp. sugar. If a dark liquid collects on top of the starter, that's a good thing! Just stir it in.

Sourdough Bread:
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp. yeast  $.22
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup sourdough starter
2 Tbsp. oil  $.06
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar  $.01
3-4 Cups flour  $.32

Mix together water, yeast, and 1 tsp. sugar. Let it set until foamy (a good 10 min). Add starter, oil, salt, sugar, and flour. Mix thoroughly. Add flour as needed to make a firm ball. Let rise for 30 minutes. Shape into a loaf. Let it rise on greased cookie sheet for 20 minutes. Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes.

Total Estimated Cost: $.84
Servings: 1 loaf
Cost Per Serving: $.84

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Fact: I don't like donuts. There's something about them that's not super appealing. But, there are only 2 kinds of donuts I'll really eat. One, Cinnamon-Sugar donuts, and the other are homemade powdered sugar donuts from biscuit dough. This recipe is a lot lighter and tastier than almost more than any donut I've eaten. I don't feel gross after eating them. So, if you're craving donuts, something sweet, or want something delicious, try this recipe! You won't be disappointed!

Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts

oil for frying
2 1/4 cups flour  $.18
1/4 cup sugar  $.02
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. baking powder  $.06
1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg  $.02
1 egg  $.12
1/2 cup buttermilk  $.15
1/2 cup apple cider  $.17
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted  $.31
1/2 tsp. vanilla  $.08

1/2 cup sugar  $.13
2 tsp. ground cinnamon  $.22

Pour enough oil for at least 1 inch deep in a pot. Heat on medium. Don't use olive oil to fry!

In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and nutmeg. In another bowl, mix together egg, buttermilk, cider, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add liquids to the dry ingredients and stir until the dough is thick.
Transfer dough onto floured surface and knead lightly until ingredients are evenly mixed (the dough will still be sticky). Pat out the dough until about 1 inch thick. Cut out doughnuts (I just use the rim of a cup and then a smaller circle for the center, because I don't have a donut cutter). Mix scraps together, pat out again, and cut out more doughnuts until all the dough is cut into donuts or donut holes.

Place 3 or 4 donuts into hot oil and fry until gold on the underside (about 1 minute). Flip them and cook until the other side is golden. Take them out of oil and place on paper towels to soak up excess oil. While donuts are still warm, put cinnamon- sugar mixture into a large container with lid (or a paper bag), add donuts, put on lid, and gently shake to coat donuts. Pull them out. Eat. Enjoy.

Total Estimated Cost: $1.46
Servings: 12 donuts
Cost Per Serving: $.12

Chicken Nuggets

Usually, if you want something quick and easy for dinner you may often think of chicken nuggets, mac n' cheese, etc. I love chicken nuggets smothered in ranch dressing and ketchup! But, if you look into frozen store bought chicken nuggets, only about 40% of a chicken nugget is actually the meat. The rest is primarily fat, tissue, and bone. The breading is often full of preservatives and fillers. There's usually nothing natural or really healthy about the chicken nuggets you find at the store or fast food restaurant. How about you change that by making your own chicken nuggets and knowing exactly what has gone in them. I made my own and they were really good. Plus, I made extra and just froze some and put others in the fridge for lunch the next day. Just pop them in the oven to heat them up and their crispy like when you first made them. Don't take my word on it, give this recipe a try. 

Chicken Nuggets

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts  $3.00
2/3 cup flour  $.05
Salt 
Pepper
1 tsp. garlic salt  $.02
3/4 Tbsp. onion powder  $.02
3 eggs  $.48
2 cups bread crumbs  $1.72
2 tsp. Italian seasoning  $.02
1 cup oil  $.48

Heat oil on medium in a frying pan. Thaw and cut chicken into 2 inch cubes (your preferable chicken nugget size). In a medium size bowl, mix a dash of salt and pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, and flour. Dip and coat chicken in dry mixture. In separate bowl, beat 3 eggs. Dip coated chicken in eggs. In a third bowl, mix bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. Dip the egg covered chicken in the bread crumbs and coat well. Gently place chicken in hot oil. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until chicken is fully cooked. Place cooked chicken on paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Serve hot.

Tips: try doing chicken strips. Mix up your seasonings and find what you like. Instead of eggs, try ranch dressing. the BIGGEST tip I can give you is to coat the chicken in the flour First, before dipping it in the egg and bread crumbs. This will help keep the breading on as you're cooking it, rather than having it fall off into the frying pan.

Total Estimated Cost: $5.79
Servings: 4
Cost Per Serving: $1.45

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad

In my cooking class we made this salad and I was in love. I'm not a huge fan of eating tomatoes in large chunks or by themselves. But, when they're smothered in pesto and with mozzarella cheese, I couldn't help but stuff myself! This is a super easy, quick, but amazingly delicious recipe as a side or appetizer for your next meal. Don't be shy, try this recipe out! You won't be disappointed.

Tomato- Mozzarella Salad

1 batch of pesto (find my recipe here)  $3.95
1 lb. heirloom tomatoes  $.80
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes  $1.00
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt 
black pepper
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella  $2.89

Make pesto, set aside. Slice tomatoes, cut cherry tomatoes in half, slice mozzarella. Arrange however you want. Drizzle olive oil on top, sprinkle salt and pepper. Top with pesto. Serve cold. 

Total Estimated Cost: $8.64
Servings: 6
Cost Per Serving: $1.44

Pesto Pasta

Pesto, pesto, pesto. That is my husband's love (besides me and Legos). For Latter-Day Saints (the religious denomination I am affiliated with, also known as Mormons), it is normal for young men and women to go throughout the world and preach the Word of God. For my husband, he was privileged to serve in Italy. Can you imagine how jealous I was that he got to serve in a country known for it's food!?
Well, because of this, he fell in love with pesto. Now, I have to share with you a super delicious and easy dinner idea that is sure to please the whole family.

Pesto Pasta
1 pound bow tie pasta  $.88
1/2 cup walnuts  $.12
1 can pinto beans  $.69
1 container of pesto (or use my pesto recipe)  $3.95
Parmesan cheese
salt

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until done. While pasta is cooking, finely chop walnuts, drain pinto beans, and make pesto sauce. Drain pasta once it is cooked, put into a bowl or back into the pot. Stir in walnuts, beans, pesto. Add cheese and salt to flavor. Enjoy!

Tips: As you can see in my picture, I added chicken. Try adding chunks of tomato, ground sausage, or lots of cheese!
Total Estimated Cost: $5.64
Servings: 6
Cost Per Serving: $.94

Pesto

Pesto is everything good and fresh in life, packed into a delicious sauce to use at your leisure. I have altered the recipe for a more budget-friendly chef. Instead of using pine nuts (if you can use them, do! They may be pricey, but they are super delicious) Here's the simple, but super delicious recipe for it.

Pesto

kosher salt 
pepper
1 1/2 cups packed fresh basil leaves  $3.37
2 tablespoons almonds or walnuts  $.04
1 clove garlic  $.06
1/4 cup olive oil  $.28

In a saucepan, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. add 2 tablespoons salt. Add the basil leaves and boil for 30 seconds. Drain basil and place under cold water to cool. Squeeze the leaves to remove excess water and place in a food processor or blender. (Blanching the leaves helps them keep their bright green color). Add the nuts and garlic and process until finely chopped. (If using blender, you will have to prechop the nuts and garlic to fine pieces, depending on how sharp the blades on your blender are). Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and have it mix into a fine paste. If not using within 2 hours, press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the pesto.

tips: trying eating on pasta, mixing with your red sauce and put it as sauce on pizza, mix with a white sauce and create pesto lasagna. Be creative and have fun. Seriously, you'll want to eat pesto with everything!

Total Estimated Cost: $3.95
Servings: 1 recipe (up to 6 portions)
Cost Per Serving: $.66

Try comparing that to store bought pesto. Yours is fresh and cheaper. The average cost I've seen is anywhere from $5 to $6 for one little container.

Bagels

I'm not one to eat bagels. There's something about them that I don't really like. BUT, I finally tried a bagel that I was in love with. This is revolutionary guys! This has never happened! I ate 2 in one sitting, but was too full to continue eating the ones I made (even thought I wanted to).
This recipe is from my cooking class I'm taking here at Brigham Young University. The recipe is for plain bagels, but I'll be sure to give you some ideas on how to spice them up like I did. Try this recipe out and you won't be disappointed. Also, look and see what the cost per bagel is, it's crazy cheap!

Bagels

2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons active dry yeast  $.14
3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon  $.09
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour  $.40
2 teaspoons salt  $.01
2 teaspoons vegetable oil  $.20
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal  $.06

Toppings (as seen in photo): 

1/2 cup dehydrated onions  $.02

2 tablespoons poppy seeds  $.02

2 tablespoons sesame seeds  $.04

1 tablespoon kosher salt

Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and mix until the mixture comes together.

Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional flour 1/2 cup at a time to make a stiff dough, either stirring with the wooden spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed. (Dough should be heavier and stiffer than regular yeast bread dough.)

Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

Remove from the bowl and punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces, about 2 to 3 ounces each, measuring about 4 inches across. Form each piece of dough into a ball. Roll each ball into a 4 to 6-inch log. Join the ends and place fingers through the hole and roll the ends together. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on a lightly greased surface, cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled (about 20 to 30 minutes).

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil.

In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Tips: You make make the bagels plain, add cinnamon and sugar, or add the toppings suggested. This is a chance for you to be creative.

Total Estimated Cost
          with toppings: $.98          without toppings: $.90
Servings: 12
Cost Per Serving:
         with toppings: $.082         without toppings: $.075


Look at that! Stop buying your bagels for $.75 or more! You can make them for less than $.10 a bagel. It's worth the time and effort; and trust me, there are Good!