flour Archives - Simply Sells Kitchen

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Sandra Sells — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:24:01 +0000

I know what you are thinking, “What am I going to do with all those ripe bananas?” Well, I know what you should do—make banana bread! I mean, most of us have more than one banana going a little too ripe anyway. Banana bread is my usual go-to solution, but sometimes we make our paleo banana pancakes or smoothies. I was thinking of how to make the recipe better. Chocolate chip banana bread was the perfect answer! Bananas in our home In our household we love bananas. We go through bundles and bundles every month. The kids have grown up loving them as well. They’re really perfect to incorporate into any sweet treat and add another depth of flavor. One of our favorites is something we call banana whip. We freeze a few bananas and then blend them in our Vitamix blender for a sugar-free treat you can’t beat. This chocolate chip banana bread recipe is a great one that your friends will love! I wrote this as a two-loaf recipe in hopes that you will share one with a friend, or you can freeze it if wrapped well! This past weekend I brought two loaves to our precious friends at church for a post-service snack. I definitely got some thumbs up! It just warms my heart when everyone shows me their mouthful smiles! Banana bread recipe This recipe is so simple! It can be made using a bowl and a whisk or right in your mixer. I opted for our KitchenAid stand mixer. I would ordinarily say to mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine them, but let’s be real and save a dish. So, just put the bananas in the bowl (or mixer), and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix them until just combined. It is better not to over mix, so just mix the ingredients until a smooth batter. Add the evenly split batter into your greased loaf pans and bake at 350℉ for 45-50 minutes. I advise you to look at them at the 45-minute mark and decide your desired brownness. We like to spread butter on the bread right after it comes out of the oven, and if possible serve it warm. There is just nothing like a warm slice of this chocolate chip banana bread with a spread of smooth and creamy butter, along with your favorite hot drink! This is something that we had often growing up. I really hope you and your loved ones enjoy this banana bread!

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Matzah

Sandra Sells — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 19:27:32 +0000

Homemade matzah tastes fresher and better than anything you’ll ever get out of the box. No, we weren’t raised Jewish, but we have grown up eating matzah from time to time. Mainly it’s when we take communion, whether at church or at home, and use matzah bread as one of the elements. I’ve never really liked the taste of matzah, as it is usually very bland. However, I recently found out how different fresh matzah tastes right out of the oven. Years ago, I started making fresh Challah bread, and I much prefer the flavor and texture of fresh bread (you can find our Simply Sells Challah bread recipe on our website). The first time we tried making hot fresh matzah bread, was another “oh wow” moment! History of Matzah… Historically, matzah has its roots in the ancient Jewish tradition and culture of the Passover celebration. Every year, Passover falls around our modern holiday of Easter. Passover is centered around the Exodus story of the Israelites fleeing bondage in ancient Egypt. Matzah bread is traditionally a flat bread with no leavening—no yeast or rising whatsoever. Some say the matzah was flat because the Israelites were fleeing so quick it didn’t have time to rise. Others say it was made that way to be easily portable and less likely to spoil. Research of regional matzah from over 4000 years ago shows it wasn’t made from the same type of flour or grain we eat today. In fact, the Bible sometimes refers to “cakes” of matzah. We can be sure that the matzah then wasn’t in a perfect square like the industrialized boxed version we eat today. It was probably much rounder, like a disc shape, and not as thinly rolled out. Whatever the case, today’s boxed matzah usually doesn’t taste great as it’s only made with two ingredients: flour and water. This past year with my church, I’ve started fasting for one week every three months. I found that not only is it a benefit spiritually, but also health wise too. During a recent fasting week, I felt to only eat matzah. I bet you can guess how quickly I was done with the flavor of store bought matzah. Haha! So, during that week, I decided to try and make my own. What a difference! I should let you know that our recipe is not kosher, if you’re looking to follow kosher standards. Recipe Preheat the oven and cookie sheet to 475℉. I start out by putting unbleached flour in my KitchenAid stand mixer. (You can also use whole wheat flour or try to mill your own from wheat berries). Second, I add just a touch of salt, and then, with the dough hook attachment, I mix in a tablespoon of water at a time. This way the mixture doesn’t end up in one big flour clump. When the dough comes together, I remove it from the KitchenAid stand mixer and put it on a lightly floured surface where I knead the dough for about 1-2 minutes. This way, the dough is easier to work with. I then separate the dough into 3-4 pieces. Using a rolling pin, I roll the dough into very thin discs, and then pierce it all over with a fork to help ensure the matzah doesn’t rise. Next, I place the pieces of matzah dough on the preheated cookie sheet in the oven and cook them for 3 minutes on each side. I’ve found that if you like a crispier texture, add an extra 1-2 minutes per side. When they reach your preferred crispiness, immediately remove the matzah from the oven and enjoy the taste of your labor! I recommend brushing some olive oil on top. Homemade matzah really is delicious on its own, but we also add it as an accompaniment to meals. We sometimes add spices to the dough as well. Try mixing in an Italian seasoning or everything bagel seasoning for a matzah that’s extra special! If you’re up to the task of making the bread in under 18 minutes and supervised by a rabbi, then you can make it kosher style. Which every way you make it, I hope you enjoy this delicious ancient bread recipe!

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Gluten Free Oat Flour Pancakes

Sandra Sells — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 05:09:55 +0000

Our Simply Sells gluten free oat flour banana pancakes are the easiest way to make whole grain pancakes for your family. So, for all the gluten free peeps out there – you deserve pancakes too! I love that the recipe calls for pantry staples because I always have the ingredients on hand. I have made pancakes that use store bought mixes, like in my paleo banana pancakes recipe, but if you don’t have a pancake mix on hand these gluten free pancakes really are the next best thing. Another plus with this recipe is the protein content that will keep you going for the day because of the number of eggs used! I only use natural ingredients to sweeten the pancakes, and they win my kids’ approval every time. It can be hit or miss with other foods, but I always seem to hit the mark with these. To be honest, I would rather save the sweetness for the toppings anyway. 😉 These Pancakes are Easy! For this recipe, I mix the pancake ingredients right in my Vitamix blender! I always say the less dirty dishes the better – can I get an amen? Haha! I start by putting two cups of whole grain, old fashioned, gluten free rolled oats in the Vitamix and blending the oats for approximately 10 seconds to flour consistency. Next, I add the bananas, eggs, almond milk (or milk of choice), honey, and vanilla. Admittedly, first mixing the liquid ingredients, and then adding the rest of the ingredients would be better, but as a busy mom I am just fine blending it all at once. One of my favorite kitchen hacks is to use the ladle that comes with my Instant Pot. The ladle has a little hook on it that can rest on the edge of the blender, and its scoop size portions the pancake batter just perfectly. Yes, I love finding little tricks – you’re welcome! Cooking the pancakes With the mixture ready and my ladle in place, I heat my griddle up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. I prefer the griddle heat a little low so I don’t burn the pancakes and they cook evenly. Also, I only butter the griddle for the first batch to prime the griddle. The color of the pancakes seems to turn out better after the first batch and they don’t seem to stick to the griddle after this, but use your best judgement. It is a known fact that the first pancakes are not always as pretty as the following ones so don’t feel bad. I can fit eight small pancakes on the griddle. You can tell that they need flipped when the edges are slightly browned and look slightly dry (not shiny like the raw batter). The pancakes will also start to bubble a bit in the middle when they’re ready to flip, and they should be a light golden brown. I serve the pancakes with toppings of choice. Making ahead of time & storage I like to make extra pancakes and freeze them for when the kids want a quick morning breakfast before school. I lay the pancakes out on a cookie sheet and freeze them right on the cookie sheet. Once frozen, I store them in a zip lock freezer bag. You can either microwave a frozen pancake for 25-30 seconds or place it in your toaster to warm it up. On the weekends, to create a fun experience I love to set up a pancake bar for my kids. I lay out lots of fruits, chocolate chips, and even rainbow sprinkles in small bowls and put out a can of whipped cream. The whipped cream brings a huge smile. We even plan this same fun experience when hosting our adult friends around special occasions like Thanksgiving, Valentine’s day, or Christmas time. These Simply Sells gluten free oat flour banana pancakes really are a favorite staple in our house and we make many variations. They ensure a nutritious but delicious breakfast. We have been known to even make them for dinner. I really do hope you enjoy! 🍴

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Tres Leches Cake

Sandra Sells — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 14:55:06 +0000

Baking at the Sells household is always a fun family affair. Whether brownies, cookies, or cakes it doesn’t matter. Kodi and I love it, the kids love it and, of course, neither of us can hardly wait to lick the spoon! This tres leches (three milks) cake is no exception. Baking as a family For us, baking dessert is a sign that we are relaxed and happy. Out come the kid’s stepping stools shortly followed by the young ones slightly arguing about who will be the closest to the mixing bowl action. We get so much happiness from our family coming together. I really do believe baking is therapeutic and brings a sense of hope that something good is just on the horizon. I know that might sound slightly dramatic but it does bring tons of joy in our house! We’ve always had a sweet tooth – who doesn’t – so we want to share a tres leches cake recipe that is sure to cure sweet tooth cravings. Besides satisfying your own sweet tooth the recipe is fantastic for a potluck, party or family gathering. History of Tres Leches Historically, canned evaporated milk used in tres leches started being made in the 1850’s and became more popular in the early to mid-twentieth century during both world wars. At that time it was popular to soak sponge cake in evaporated milk to preserve or sustain the cake’s life. In trying to keep up with demand for canned evaporated milks, companies expanded operations to Central and South America. Some say Nicaragua was responsible for using canned evaporated milk to create the delicious tres leches treat while others trace its origin to England in the Middle Ages. Miami even tries to stake claim to the origin of the popular dessert. Either way, regardless of who’s responsible, we can all agree that tres leches is truly a heavenly and magical dessert! The back story Our recipe started as a cure for Kodi’s sweet tooth back in his college days. It was originally a budget branch-off recipe of a coconut cake that he learned to make while living in Boston, which always hit the spot. After moving back to Florida, he discovered and grew a love for Spanish flavored foods. Tres leches cake has been a favorite of his since. In the beginning, he started with box cake, a few milky toppings, and then covered in sweet whipped topping. The cake was quick, easy, delicious and required very little effort. Now that we are well beyond college days, the cake has been reinvented into an upgraded version made from scratch. The result gives bragging rights to any baker! The tres leches recipe can be adapted for any holiday by decorating the top with colored sprinkles, berries or any other seasonal fruit. By doubling the recipe you can make a very large sheet cake that will really impress at your next gathering. Have fun and let us know what you think! Feel free and be creative!

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Happy “Challah” Day

Sandra Sells — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:40:56 +0000

Bread… We love bread! I could say that again and again! We especially love fresh homemade bread – sourdough, challah, whole wheat, focaccia, pan de queso, baguettes, brioche – there are so many choices! All I can say is the taste of fresh baked bread must be one of the most delicious things we can experience. No matter what, just the idea of warm fresh bread right out of the oven brings excitement to my heart. For quite a few years now our family has made homemade fresh bread as one of the center pieces at all our holiday meals. Some of our relatives have a family tradition of making what they call all-bran rolls – a tradition we gladly indulge. All they have to say is, “The rolls are ready” and everyone comes running. They’re seriously that good! A couple years ago my brother decided to make a copycat recipe of Texas Roadhouse restaurant rolls and honey butter from scratch. They were a huge hit. They were so warm, yeasty, and delicious with just a touch of sweetness from the honey butter. I think they were pretty accurate to the restaurant experience. As long as I can remember and especially since we’ve been married, Kodi has made the most amazing loaf of fresh challah bread every Thanksgiving holiday. Why challah bread? Honestly, I’m still not too sure how it became our tradition but it has. Challah is a bread traditionally eaten at different Jewish holidays and braided a variety of ways. We’re not Jewish; we just enjoy the comfort of a good loaf of bread! Challah traditionally contains no dairy products, however, recipes were altered as they were passed down generation-to-generation and adopted in several eastern European cuisines. Our Simply Sells challah bread recipe is an egg version that Kodi decided to make one day. We both tried it and thought it would be amazing at Thanksgiving dinner with warm turkey, gravy, and green beans. Honestly, making a turkey sandwich with Thanksgiving leftovers and all the fixings in between the freshly sliced Challah is divine! Challah has a grand look. A double batched, triple braided loaf with poppy seeds adorning the top as it comes out of the oven can make you drool. Not only does the appearance make you want to hang around the kitchen the smell is incredible! It takes a lot of patience to make the bread, and then wait for it to come out of the oven but it’s worth it. The challah is almost an appetizer for us because it’s the first thing we want to try. It always seems to get swarmed over and devoured in no time, even before the Thanksgiving meal. Pats of butter melting on the warm bread is so delicious with hints of both sweet and salty. The bread’s texture is perfectly fluffy and moist. Try it out. You won’t be disappointed. Simply Sells challah recipe will make a great addition to your everyday family table and a wonderful addition to your holiday meal plans. Go ahead and double-batch the dough; the crowd will be more than pleased! Yum, I can smell it cooking now, as we are just days away from our Thanksgiving day celebration.

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