The best ever!!

I am lucky (for many reasons)....because whatever I make...my husband will eat...including all his veggies :-)  But there are some things, no matter how good it is...his mom still makes it "the best ever".  This does not hurt my feelings...though I may not agree :-)...because all mom's have something like that.  It's not always the food itself, but the memory that wraps around our head, our senses and then our heart...taking us back home for a visit in the kitchen....comfort food.  I love my mom's fried chicken! Growing up, I remember going on these family picnics...and even though I don't remember ever seeing her make it...or me helping...there was this picnic cooler full of everything Yogi Bear and Boo Boo could ever want!

For my family...it is my bread.  It doesn't matter what I make - the bread is "the best ever".  Even though they can now make it themselves...and it is just as good...they always tell me that mine is "the best ever".  It is intoxicating to walk into that "fresh bread" smell.  I don't know which is better....fresh bread or fresh laundry...but neither one lasts very long!

My daughter Megan, her husband Tommy, and my awesome grandson Damian are coming for the weekend.  Weekends are made for fun and I especially look forward to them!  They won't get here until late so I am keeping my meals simple today. I need lots of time to PLAY!  Damian has already informed me that we will be playing some Wii, jumping on the trampoline, playing baseball, going on the tire swing, playing the "army game" and having a sleepover! :-)

Barbecue/Broccoli Slaw/Homemade Bread/Mississippi Mud Brownies

Bread
Approximately 6 cups of Bread Flour
2 pkg of rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 C warm water
3 T sugar
1 T salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil

In a smaller bowl - put 1/2 cup warm water and sprinkle packages of yeast over it (do not stir) then sprinkle 1 T of the sugar over the yeast and set aside while you do this....Put 2 cups of warm water in a large bowl, 2 T sugar, 1 T salt, 1/3 C oil - whisk together.  Add 1 cup of flour - whisk until smooth - add 1 more cup of flour - whisk until smooth.  Your yeast should be ready now (foamy) so add it into the flour mixture and whisk it smooth.  Put your whisk away now and get out a wooden spoon.  Stir in about 4 more cups of flour - one at a time.  You might have to get your hands into it for that last cup.  Plop it out onto the counter and knead (heel of your palm - kind of like doing CPR) the dough back into itself until it is soft but not sticky...sprinkle flour as you knead it (if you need to).  Place in a clean, large, lightly greased bowl and cover with a dish towel.  Let rise in a warm place for about an hour.  It should double in size.

Dump your dough on the counter, divide in half and roll out each piece into a rectangle.  Roll up long like a cinnamon roll...pinching down the side and ends.  Grease a cookie sheet and sprinkle some yellow cornmeal evenly.  Then put both loaves on your pan (seam side down) ...slice the tops diagonally, cover and let rise again for an hour.

When it is ready...put in oven @ 350 for about 20 minutes...or sometimes less.  Top should be golden brown.  Spread some butter over the top when you take it out of the oven.  Slice hot with an electric knife.