Bread & Butter

Mmmmmm.....What is that wonderful smell?  Could it possibly be the smell of Fresh Bread Baking? 

The aroma that comes from fresh baked bread is enough to make any of us gain several   P o u n d s .

The smell of Bread Baking triggers hunger in almost all of us.  It is just so enticing and just the thought of eating a fresh warm slice of bread makes our saliva glands go crazy!

I remember many years ago, we would drive past the bread factory and the smell of that fresh baked bread would make us think we were starving to death.  

  Sam once told me about how he and his buddies would go to the factory store and purchase a loaf of bread that had just come out of the big ovens.  They would then go to the Dairy Queen which was just down the road, and buy a big milk shake.  They would indulge in one of  the finest meals ever.....BREAD AND MILK SHAKES!   Talking about POUNDS....  Wow! 

Bread is just a way of life.....Is it good for us?  It's good enough to make us want to eat it every day......

And to make it even better, you have to add a spread of flavored butter to every slice....

Try these recipes......I think you'll fall in love again.

Vanilla Butter
Blend 1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the seeds from 1/2 of a vanilla bean into the softened butter in a mixing bowl. Roll into a log using parchment paper. Chill until ready to use.
Strawberry Butter
In a small saucepan cook together 1/2 cup fresh hulled strawberries and 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely and then mix into butter. Form into a log using parchment paper. Chill until ready to use.
Orange Sunshine Butter
Blend 2 teaspoons orange zest together with 1/2 cup tupelo or orange blossom honey along with the butter in a mixing bowl.. Form into a log using the parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve.
Italian Sundried Tomato Butter
Combine together 1 minced clove garlic,1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice,2 tbsp. minced sun dried tomatoes, drained oil packed ,1 small tomato, chopped, cored and seeded,1/4 teaspoon dry Italian seasonings into a mixing bowl with the 8 tablespoons of butter. Use parchment paper to form into a log. Chill until ready to serve.
Herbed Bacon Butter
4 slices cooked, drained bacon crumbled fine,1/2 teaspoon oregano, fresh ground black pepper 1/8th teaspoon. Combine all together in mixing bowl with the butter. Form into a log using the parchment paper. Chill until ready to use. Can be used over a variety of vegetables such as greenbeans, corn, squash, etc.
Spicy Pecan Butter
1/4 cup finely ground pecans, 1 tablespoon ground crystallized ginger,1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Combine all together with the butter in a mixing bowl. Form into a log using the parchment paper. Chill until ready to use.

Shug Sez........

Enjoy the freshness of today....