Demi Baguettes

Baguettes! I have a love/hate relationship with them. When I first attempted them, I got baguette pancakes, squiggly baguettes, pale baguettes, and other various mutations of the elusive perfect product from French boulangeries.

I've got to say, I'm really excited about these. Browned crackly and crispy crust, holey interior, and an amazing flavor from two to three days of fermentation make these my favorite baguettes so far.

Rugbrød - Danish Rye Bread

Rugbrød is a Danish dark rye bread that contains two naturally leavened preferments (containing sourdough starter). It is heavy and dense, and is traditionally baked as a long loaf. The traditional version of this bread contains rye chops, which are cracked rye berries. If you cannot find rye chops, you can use a multigrain mix, such as Bob's Red Mill. It also contains ground fennel seeds and blackstrap molasses.

If you like rye, you will love this bread. It is so full of flavor!

Asian Style Halibut en Papillote

This Asian style halibut en papillote would be the perfect dish for a dinner party. It's easy, quick, delicious, and requires very little clean up. It also makes a beautiful presentation.

The fish is cooked in Chinese rice wine in parchment paper, and then seasoned with just a few Asian ingredients after being pulled out of the oven.

Chocolate Sundae Shortbread Cookies

Aren't these Chocolate Sundae Shortbread Cookies the cutest? Everything about them says celebration.

Three Bread Baking Hacks - Bread 101

Have you ever wondered if your dough has actually doubled? Is your kitchen too cold for your dough to rise? Don't have a Dutch oven for baking artisan bread?

These hacks have worked great for me.

Power Bread

Power Bread got its name from its creator, Peter Reinhart. The bread is high in protein and fiber to "power" you through your day. Ingredients include whole grains, bran, raisins, flax seeds, and sesame seeds.

Flax seeds, in particular, have come into their own as a superfood, as "they are high in alpha-linolenic acid, and essential omega-3 fatty acid" (Reinhart). If you eat them whole, you will miss out on their benefits. In this recipe, they are soaked for several hours to start the germination process and activate their enzymes.

Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Bread

This cinnamon raisin oatmeal bread is super easy to make, and is the perfect bread for breakfast toast. It is also wonderful for French toast and peanut butter sandwiches.

There's something about toasted raisin bread spread with melty salted butter for breakfast.... and it's full of whole grains... a little healthy with your butter.