BIG NEWS, Gallery & Garlic-Olive Bread Recipe

 

 

Cassidy & Proud Papa

 

Cassidy's "Big News"

On Friday,December 2, our extended family was summoned to an impromptu party at my daughter's house to "reveal news about one of the girls." (Since Cassidy had told me about her AFJROTC* application, I guessed this was the only thing big enough to drag everyone out on 90 minutes notice.) And yay, hurray, I was right. About 4:30 that afternoon her father got a call from Cassidy's colonel to say she was one of 300 in the whole U.S. to be chosen for an 8-week training program next summer, all expenses paid. At the end of the program she will have earned her private pilot's license! (To say we are thrilled is putting it mildly.) But Cassidy was at work and did not get home until around ten that night, as we all tried to keep our normal faces on and let her father break the news. 

*Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

Before clicking on the video link below, you should know that Cassidy's colonel gave her the "handle" "Ramen" because of her curly hair.

To see Cassidy's reaction and a close-up of the remarkable cake her father Mike and cousin Lionel made, on almost no notice, please  click here.

 

GARLIC-OLIVE BREAD

Warning:  this bread is a two-day process as it must chill overnight.  

3/4 cup warm water (105-115°)

1 package active dry yeast

 

½ cup milk

2 TBspn sugar

2 TBspn butter

1 tspn salt

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

½ cup grated Asiago cheese

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2½ cups all-purpose flour

Cooking spray or  olive oil

Cornmeal

 

1 egg

2 tspn water 

 

Day 1:

Crumble or grate cheese, if necessary. Mince garlic. (This can be done up to 24-hr ahead & refrigerated until needed. Allow to come to room temperature before using.)

In a large bowl stir together the 3/4 cup water and the yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan heat and stir milk, sugar, butter & salt. When milk mix is warm, add the cheeses & the garlic. Stir.

Stir in flour. (Dough will be sticky.) Lightly coat a medium bowl with cooking spray; transfer dough to greased bowl. Lightly coat a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray; cover bowl with greased plastic wrap and chill overnight.

 

Day 2: 

Using a dough scraper or spatula, carefully loosen dough from bowl and turn out onto a floured surface. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let stand for 30 minutes.

Grease a baking sheet; sprinkle lightly with cornmeal. Gently shape dough into an oval loaf. Using a dough scraper or spatula if necessary, transfer bread to baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place until nearly double in size (about 1 hour).

Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl whisk together egg and the 2 teaspoons of water; brush over loaf. Bake about 25 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in loaf registers at least 200°. If necessary, cover with foil during last 5 minutes to prevent overbrowning. Remove from oven; cool on wire rack. 

Loaf may be frozen. 

 

GALLERY

 Our choir's annual Lessons & Carols was on Saturday, December 10. Below, chorus and orchestra & close-up of choir. I'm middle row, right, next to the lectern. Susie is the second person to my left.She did a great solo on "Sing Noel."

 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, 

Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate

and and an Outstanding New Year!

 

Family photo taken at Central Florida Chorus Concert

Susie was singing in that concert too. (Would you believe she's the same person as muddy Susie seen sitting on a boulder on the cold coast of Kent, displaying her fossiling tools?)

~ *~

For a link to Blair's website, click here.

 For a link to Blair's Facebook Author Page  click here.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)