WELCOME!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!
For a while now, I have been posting my montly menus on Facebook. Well, I decided to create a blog so that more people will have the opportunity to check in and hopefully be inspired. As for the name of the blog, Sherri's Sanity, that is what montly menu planning is for me; my sanity. With 3 young kids, I do NOT have the patience for the clock to turn 5 and have no plan for dinner, it just adds to the craziness to the "witching hours" (those insane hours at the end of the day where we, moms, try to jam-pack 4 hours worth of stuff into 2) I HATE the hours of 5pm-8pm. BUT I have found that in my (almost) year of planning monthly menus, I have been so much less of a headcase during that time. When mom is happier, hubby and kids are happier. AND their tummies will be filled with yummy homemade food; even better!!Now, this blog will definitely take time to put together. Once again, I am a mother of 3 small kids and although I wish I could just sit down and crack it all out, that just isnt going to happen. So, check back often and I will try and keep things rolling. :) Another thing that fills my bucket, so to speak, is crafting! So I'm sure that will come along on the blog shortly too. Happy planning!!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Homemade Ezekial Bread tutorial

**(Sorry for the interruptions by my son in the videos! I put a show on for him, but that obviously didn't work. Guess hearing Mom talk to herself was distracting!)


Ezekial bread is not only delicious, but because it is made with legumes and grains other than wheat it is much higher in nutrients and protein than other breads. Adding chia seeds only adds to the nutritional value. You get extra fiber, omega 3, anti oxidants, protein and iron.

***You obviously can't make this recipe without a food mill/grinder. I will also post a wheat bread recipe that you can use store bought wheat flour. If you don't have a Bosch, you can use a Kitchen Aid, but cut the recipe into 1/3 and make 2 loaves.


Homemade Mix:

5 C Hard Red Wheat
3 Cups Spelt
1 C Hulled Barley
1/2 C Millet
1/2 C Green Lentils
1/4 C Great Northern Beans
1/4 C Red Kidney Beans
1/4 C Pinto Beans

Ezekial Bread:

Grind 3 1/2 C Homemade Mix and
3 C Hard White Wheat

Add about half of the fresh flour to your Bosch and add:

6 C very warm water
1 C Honey
2/3 C Canola Oil
1/2 C Powdered Milk
3 Tbs Vital Wheat Gluten
3 Tbs Dough Enhancer
4 Tbs yeast
3 Tbs Chia Seeds (optional)

Mix with whisk attachmet until well blended and then let sit until bubbly (about 20-30 min)

Change to your dough hook and add:
The rest of your fresh flour
2 Tbs Salt
4 eggs

Turn on your mixer to level 1 and slowly add high gluten flour until dough starts to pull away from the bowl (about 4-6 Cups) (Video 1)(very boring, but I want to keep things detailed for you!)

Let mixer run for about 8 min and check dough for elasticity. Check every 2 min if additional kneading is necessary. (Video 2). Under kneaded dough will be very sticky or gooey and hard to work with. Over kneaded dough will be very tough and yield a loaf of brick not bread. So tend to your kneading dough after the initial 8 min.

Oil your hands and your countertop and remove dough from bowl. Knead it a few times by hand and then divide into 6 equal parts. Form into 6 loaves and set in oiled loaf pans. (Video 3).  Cover with a lightweight towel and allow to rise until about 1-1 1/2 in above pan. Dough will continue to rise in the oven.




Preheat your oven to 425* Immediately after putting your bread in lower temp to 325*. Bake for 15 min and then insert a temp probe. Bake until temp reads 185*. Remove immediately from pans and cool completely on a cooling rack before bagging.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Two minute breakfast burrito or sandwich

This is my first time blogging from my phone so we'll see how it goes!! One of my favorite things for breakfast is an egg sandwich. But did you know you can make an egg sandwich without dirtying a pan!? You can microwave your eggs!! And those little Gerber baby bowls that almost all moms have are the perfect size.

Decide what kind if toppings you like and prepare extra for the week. Whether its bacon or diced peppers or whatever you like. I simply like real bacon bits and a little cheese, both of which I usually have on hand. Today I had some leftover chorizo so I decided to make a burrito!

So, grab your add-ins and whip them with 1 or 2 eggs and a tsp of water. If you're doing just whites I'd go with at least 2. Make sure they're nice and foamy (aerated) or they will explode in your microwave! Microwave on high for about 75 seconds. Toast some bread in the meantime and you've got a two minute hot breakfast :)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Funeral Potato Casserole

I love Funeral Potatoes! Yummm!! If you could eat them as a main dish, like me, this is a great way to do it.

Follow THIS recipe and add

*2 cans of chicken, drained (I get mine from Costco). You could even use grilled chicken but I like the quickness of canned.

*12-16oz (your preference) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained. Or add your own blanched, chopped fresh spinach. I blanch about 5 or 6 big handfuls, then whirl them in the blender for a quick second with the ice water, then drain with a mesh strainer.

For an even healthier version use Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream.

I like to top mine with corn flakes :)

Bake at 375* until bubbly and hot, about 35-45 min for a 9x9 or 50-60 min for a 9x13. This makes 2 meals for my family of 5, so I make 2 9x9's, I cook one and freeze the other.