Sourdough English Muffins

Once you try these, you will be making them all the time!

½ c. sourdough starter

1 c. milk

1 Tbs. of honey

About 2¾ c. unbleached all-purpose flour

1 Tbs. sugar

¾ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

A little cornmeal for dusting

The night or morning before you plan to cook the muffins, combine starter, 2 cups flour, honey, and milk in a large glass or stone bowl.  Stir to combine, cover with a clean dish towel, and leave out for 8 hours or overnight. (It will bubble up some, so make sure your bowl isn’t too small.)

After the overnight rest, add sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4-5 minutes adding flour as necessary. Roll out to ¾" thick and cut with the large biscuit cutter. Re-roll scraps until you have cut them all out.  Place cut muffins on a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornmeal.  Cover with a clean dish towel and let rest for 45 minutes.

Heat griddle or frying pan to about 325°.  Cook muffins for 6-12 minutes on each side, or until browned and not soft to the touch in the middle.  Be careful not to burn them, as that is very easy if the heat it too high (or you forget about them!)  These are delicious hot off the griddle or toasted, topped with butter and jam! Makes 12.

Spelt Pizza Crust

 

Homemade pizza is a family favorite that we enjoy on a weekly basis!

Mix together in a bowl:

½ c. very warm water (not hot)

2 Tbs. active dry yeast

1 tsp. honey

Let it sit until it bubbles up some.

In a mixing bowl, blend:

1½ c. very hot water

1/3 c. olive oil

1/3 c. honey

2 tsp. salt

Stir in:

1½ c. of white spelt flour, dissolved yeast mixture.

Add

5 c. whole spelt flour.

Knead for 10 minutes. Divide dough into four sections. Roll out onto four greased pans. Bake the crust in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned.

Spread each crust with spaghetti sauce and top with desired toppings. Some of our favorite toppings are: cheese, sausage and bacon (from our own pork!), mushrooms, spinach, sautéed onions, and sweet peppers. Be creative! Fresh local meats and produce are the best! After you top all your pizzas, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each one, and put them back into the oven until the cheese melts. Serve with parmesan cheese. Makes 4

 

Honey-Baked Chicken

A delicious way to serve a fresh all-natural pasture-raised chicken!

 

Whole chicken

May need to double the following sauce ingredients depending on how big your chicken is.

1/3 c. melted butter

1/3 c. honey

2 Tbs. mustard

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. curry powder

First you need to cut your whole chicken up into parts. I have found that this is easier to do with a partially thawed frozen whole chicken (or you can cut a fresh chilled chicken that hasn’t been frozen). Start by cutting the breasts off (leaving the skin on, if desired). Then, cut your thighs/legs off, as well as the wings. The remaining chicken carcass I like to boil to cook the remaining bits of meat and to make yummy chicken broth!

Preheat the oven to 350°. Place your cut up chicken in a single layer, skin-side up, in a glass baking pan. Combine the butter, honey, mustard, salt, and curry powder and pour over your chicken. Bake for at least an hour, or until the chicken is tender and nicely browned. You may also want to baste your chicken with the sauce throughout the baking to help keep it moist. Good served with rice.