Best Delicious No-Knead Dill Pickle and Garlic Bread

 

Pickles are all the rage these days. I feel as though everyone is finally catching up to my lifelong obsession with dill pickles. This quick and easy no-knead bread comes together in minutes and is perfect for tuna salad sandwiches.

I serve this bread warm with cheese soup. It’s the perfect companion for fish dishes. It is divine when toasted and served with cream cheese and Swedish cured gravlax (salmon).

I use cottage cheese in the dough to add a rich texture and tenderness to the finished bread. Its subtle tang builds a fantastic flavor profile and complements the dill. You can use fresh dill instead of dried, which brings a bright and robust flavor. If fresh dill is used, use 1/4 cup instead of the dry dill. Adding the pickles is optional, but it lends an almost sourdough note to this quick and easy bread.

No-Knead Dill Pickle Garlic Bread

1 package (1/4 ounce) Red Star active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

1 cup 2% cottage cheese, small curd

½ cup finely chopped dill pickles

2 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic

2 Tbsp. dry dill

2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp.  salt

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten

3 cups (360g) Organic Bread Flour

Directions

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add cottage cheese, pickles, dill, olive oil, salt, sugar, egg, and 1 cup flour; beat until smooth.
• Stir in the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, for about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; shape into a 6-inch circle.
• Transfer to a greased 9-in. cast-iron skillet or round baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the bread’s internal temperature is over 180°F, about 35-40 minutes. Remove from the pan to a wire rack to cool.

There you go!

Always My Very Best,

Your Friend Chef Tess

Best Easy Pumpkin Pie Pecan Sticky Buns

I don't know about your house, but at my place, the Pumpkin pie and pecan pie are always the top picks for dessert at the Thanksgiving table. What if those pies' flavors could be captured in a fantastic swirl of spiced flavor-like frenzy embodied in a fluffy roll for your dining enjoyment? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, snack options, and a dessert buffet would be fair game for these babies!

Behold, these glory rolls are about to become your family’s most requested “yummy thing” that must always be made for Thanksgiving and every holiday close to it. 

This recipe features a method of yeast bread called Tangzhong.

Tangzhong is a yeast bread technique with origins in Japan and Asia. It involves cooking some of a bread recipe’s flour in liquid before adding it to the remaining dough ingredients. Milk is the most popular liquid used in this method. Bringing the temperature of the flour and liquid temperature to 65°C (149°F) pre-gelatinizes the flour’s starches, making them more able to retain liquid, thus enhancing the resulting bread’s softness and shelf life.

When used for sweet rolls, the result is a soft, pillowy texture and velvety crumb. You need this method in your life. Please don’t skip it. Please don’t change the recipe. Just accept that this is part of the magic.

Best Easy Pumpkin Pie Spice Pecan Sticky Buns

Tangzhong*

• 1/2 cup (113g) whole milk
• 3 Tbsp. (23g) Bread Flour

Dough

• 2/3 cup (151g) organic hazelnut creamer (or whole milk)
• 2 1/2 cups (300g) Bread Flour
• 1 tsp. (6g) salt
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. Red Star instant yeast
• ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup wheat germ

Filling

• ½ cup (107g) dark brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (113g) Libby’s solid pack pumpkin
• 1 Tbsp. (8g to 10g) pumpkin pie spice

Caramel Nut Topping

• 1 jar, 11.5 oz. Smucker’s Simple Delight® Salted Caramel Topping OR caramel-flavored Spoon-able ice cream topping. Up to 12.5 oz.
• 1 cup toasted pecans, toasted and chopped

Directions:

To make the tangzhong:

• Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk until no lumps remain.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring regularly, until thickened, paste-like, and the spoon or spatula leaves lines on the bottom of the pan. This step should take 1 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.

To make the dough:

• Weigh your flour or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup and sweeping off any excess. Add the creamer, the flour, and the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl in the order listed; the heat from the tangzhong will help warm the creamer.
• Mix on low speed of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Increase the speed by 8-10 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a ball in a bowl and cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a reusable cover.
• Let the dough rise until about doubled in size, about 60 to 90 minutes in a warm kitchen.

To make the filling:

• Combine all ingredients for the filling in a small bowl until smooth.

To assemble the rolls:

• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled work surface and roll the dough into a 10″ x 12″ rectangle about 1/2″ thick.
• Spread the filling over the dough, covering all but a 1/2″ strip along one long side.
• Starting with the filling-covered long side, roll the dough into a log.
• Score the dough lightly into eight equal 1 1/2″ to 2″ pieces, making large, saucer-sized cinnamon rolls. Cut the dough at the score marks. We use unflavored dental floss for the cleanest cut: pull off a long piece of floss, loop it underneath the log at the score mark, and pull the ends in opposite directions to cut the dough. Repeat until you’ve cut all of the rolls. Note a bench knife or sharp knife will work; be sure it is sharp and serrated is preferred.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
• Place the rolls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2″ apart and 2″ away from the edges of the pan. Tuck the ends of the spiral underneath the rolls to prevent unraveling during the rise and bake.
• Lightly coat the top of the rolls with melted butter or oil, cover them with plastic wrap or a reusable cover, and let them rise for 45-60 minutes (depending on the warmth of your kitchen). They should be very puffy.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F 20 minutes before you bake, and position a rack in the top third of the oven.
• Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes, until they’re a light golden brown, and a digital thermometer inserted into the center of one roll reads 190°F. Bake for less time for extra-soft rolls and extended time for rolls with a bit more color and slightly firmer texture.
• Remove the rolls from the oven, place the pan on a rack, and brush the hot rolls with 1 ½ Tbsp. (21g) of the melted butter.

To make the caramel topping:

• Combine the sauce with the toasted chopped pecans.
• Scoop several Tbsp. Of the nut mixture over each roll, allow the caramel to drizzle down the sides. Serve warm.

Judging the National Festival of Breads

2 years ago at my first Home Baking Association meeting, the Co-founders and directors of the National Festival of Breads from Manhattan, Kansas asked me to be a judge at the 2019 festival. It seemed like a long time away...but it sure came fast! This was my first trip to Kansas and I have never felt more loved and welcomed into a community!

I arrived a few days early to get ready for my demonstrations and I got a glimpse at all the preparations that happen. I can tell you, it was really remarkable! I worked really hard to be ready, but also had so much fun.

One of the best parts was that my mom and dad were there...way ahead of time. Ha ha!

The co-founders and directors Cindy Faulk and Julene Derouchey are two of the the most outstanding women ever. It was truly an honor to work with them!

Apparently my parents liked it there too...

Part of the trip included a visit to the wheat fields of Kansas and the working farms in the area.

My dad loved looking at all the farm equipment and getting a first hand view of the growing techniques. So did I!

We also got to see the Kansas Wheat Commission's  Innovation Center at Kansas State. The greenhouse was growing heirloom wheat varieties from all over the world and I was in grain geek heaven!

 The labs are state-of-the-art!

 So is the Wheat Genetic Genomic Resources Center Gene Bank!

 The greenhouse tests and grows thousands of varieties and keeps the seeds viable.

 It was phenomenal to see the process in person!

 It was also remarkable to see the actual testing of the genetics!

Look how tall some of these wheat varieties are!

The wheat variety seed vault was awesome!

Then it was back to the festival for more dough prep and getting ready for the big event.

 My view from the stage was pretty epic!

 The winners were great!

I will never forget this experience!

Thank you so much National Festival of Breads for having me as a judge and for allowing me to demonstrate my breads. It was an amazing honor!

Always My Very Best,
Chef Tess

Sweet Potato Buttermilk Sticky Bun Mix and Gift Kits

Gifts of Good Taste never go out of Style

During the month or two previous to the Christmas season, I spend a lot of time making Gifts of Impeccable Taste Mixes and Chef Tess 52 Method Jar Meals to give to friends and family. Don't you wish you lived closer to me?  Today I'm sharing a new mix recipe for sticky buns! I'm so excited!  I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse, having amazing buns ingredients on-hand for whenever the urge to have sticky sweet potato buttermilk caramel pecan rolls overcomes your better judgement...but I'm thinking it is a blessing. You know, like chocolate is a blessing? Oh...and cheesecake is a blessing. Oh...count your blessings! One sticky bun, two sticky buns, three...mrfllrh brrunnns (stop counting with your mouth full). If you want to make the sticky buns without using a mix you can see my evil-genius post Pumpkin Spiced Peach Sticky-Buns-o-Glory. It works magnificently well.  I love to give out baking kits to busy families. It gives them an excuse to bake with the kids without having to measure ingredients. 

My practical side takes over because I usually use an empty can from one of my many Thrive adventures as the containment unit (oh stars...I just sounded like a science geek) for the kit.

Decorate it however you like. Today I just tied a cute ruffly Christmas apron around the can and just added a note inside with baking directions. 

Chef Tess' Sweet Potato Buttermilk  Roll Dough Mix

4 cup Artisan Bread Flour or Panhandle Milling  whole wheat blended flour

1/2 cup sweet potato powder

1T tsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup sugar 

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 T Whole Egg powder

1/4 cup powdered butter 

To Prepare Dough You will Add:

1 3/4 cups water (cool to the touch)

Spiced Sugar Smear Mix:

1/2 cup powdered butter 
1/2 cup sugar
2T Cheftessbakeresse Wise Woman of the East Spice blend or 1 T cinnamon and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

To Prepare Smear you will add:

3T water to this mix and spread inside the cinnamon rolls

Sticky Bun Cream Caramel Glaze mix:

3/4 cup  brown sugar 

1/2 cup  powdered butter 

2T buttermilk powder

1 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts 

Prepare you will add:
3T water

Directions:
1. Combine everything in the dough mix in one-gallon size bowl or mixer. I like that. Knead 5 minutes by hand or 3 minutes in a mixer on medium setting. This is a less developed dough as far as gluten is concerned.
Form into a ball and place in a bowl covered with plastic or a lid for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Take out of the bowl and place on a floured table or countertop. On a lightly floured counter top, roll into a rectangle, 2 feet long by one foot wide. It will be about 1/2 inch thick. Make sure you lift the dough a couple times and dust underneath with more flour so it doesn't stick to the table.

3. Prepare the smear by adding 3T water to the smear mixture. Spread the smear over the dough in a light coating. Leave about 1 inch on the ends and sides that don't have butter and/or sugar mixture. It will help the rolls seal better.

4. Combine the caramel topping ingredients and heat in a saucepan with 3T hot water, just until the sugar is dissolved, do not boil longer than 2 minutes.

5. Pour nut caramel mixture into a 9 inch by 13-inch casserole pan or divide among individual jumbo muffin pan.
Place rolls in the pan,  1 inch apart (or just in each muffin compartment). Now...lightly mist the tops of the rolls with oil and cover with a loose fitting piece of plastic wrap (or lid). You are going to have to raise the rolls completely, about 1 1/2  hours.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and invert onto a serving dish immediately, using caution to not let the hot caramel coating burn your skin.

More detailed Directions...

Baking Directions:

Combine everything in the dough mix in one-gallon size bowl or mixer with 1 3/4 cup cool water. Knead 5 minutes by hand or 3 minutes in a mixer on medium setting. This is a less developed dough as far as gluten is concerned.

Form into a ball and place in a bowl covered with plastic or a lid for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

 On a lightly floured counter top, roll into a rectangle, 2 feet long by one foot wide. It will be about 1/2 inch thick. Make sure you lift the dough a couple times and dust underneath with more flour so it doesn't stick to the table. Prepare the smear mix by adding 2T water to the smear mixture. Spread the smear over the dough in a light coating. Leave about 1 inch on the ends and sides that don't have butter and/or sugar mixture. It will help the rolls seal better.

Now roll them up tightly. Pinch seam tightly. Slice the roll into 12 sliced pieces.

Combine the caramel topping ingredients and heat in a saucepan with 3T hot water, just until the sugar is dissolved, do not boil longer than 2 minutes.

Pour nut caramel mixture into a 9 inch by 13-inch casserole pan or divide among individual jumbo muffin pan.

 Place rolls in the pan,  1 inch apart (or just in each muffin compartment).

Now...lightly mist the tops of the rolls with oil and cover with a loose fitting piece of plastic wrap (or lid). You are going to have to raise the rolls completely, about 1 1/2  hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and invert onto a serving dish immediately, using caution to not let the hot caramel coating burn your skin.

There you go!


Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Orange Cinnamon Roll Pretzel Bites

 While walking through a crowded Houston airport anticipating a 3-hour layover between flights, I felt a hunger pain. I realized it had been over eleven hours since my last meal and I had a long way to go before I could make it home. Right about the time of the growl, I walked past a very popular soft pretzel restaurant chain that had married its pretzels with a very popular cinnamon roll franchise.  I found this to be a brilliant move on the part of the pretzel company, as they had many savoury bread offerings and the cinnamon bun company had a national following of avid bun grabbers...err...roll eaters. "Bun grabbers" sounds inappropriate. Looking at the menu I found some cinnamon pretzel bites that sounded promising.  Though they were pretty delicious served warm, as soon as they cooled down a bit, they became really chewy. I thought to myself, as I often do...,"I bet I can make these better and cheaper at home....and give them a heck-of-a-lot more awesomeness in the flavour universe!"

A few months ago, I ordered this Wild Groves Blood Orange Olive Oil and instantly fell in love with the rich buttery flavour with remarkable orange notes. It was and is the perfect pairing for sweet pastries. Full disclosure, I loved it so much that I wrote an email to the owner of the company.  He generously sent me several more bottles of some of the finest olive oils on his website, including the Wild Groves Robust Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil (that recently won one of the most prestigious rewards in the country at the LA International EVOO Competition). It won Best in Show Northern Hemisphere in the domestics category! Woot! Way to go!

Anyway, I used the orange olive oil on my pretzel bites. It was a huge, sinful, blessed mistake. If something sinful can be blessed? Can it? Not sure.  I just know that the mistake is that they are freakishly addictive! Evil. Evil. Evil. Gooooooooood.

Enters...the Orange Cinnamon Roll Pretzel Bits of glory and honour. 

These little nuggets of love have all the flavour of an orange infused cinnamon roll without having to zest any oranges or make any cream cheese frosting. The dough is soft and slightly chewy, like a pretzel and made in the same way that most deli-style pretzels are made.  For an authentic pretzel flavour, I use an alkaline solution of baking soda and water. To save on the mess...I don't dip the dough into the solution. Instead, I lightly brush the pretzel ropes in the solution. To save time, instead of rolling the pretzel dough into a knot, they are cut into 1-inch bites. They're perfect for snacking, travelling, and enjoying warm or cool.

Orange Cinnamon Roll Pretzel Bites

1 1/2 cup Milk

1 Tbsp. Active Dry Yeast

1/4  cup Sugar

1/4 cup Wild Groves Blood Orange Olive Oil

4 Cups Organic Grains Bread Flour

2 tsp salt, fine 

1/3 cup baking soda

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. Cinnamon or Chef Tess Wise Woman of the East Blend

1/4 cup Wild Groves Blood Orange Olive Oil

Directions: Combine the milk, yeast, sugar, Olive oil, bread flour and salt. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic on a lightly floured surface, about 5 minutes. Shape into a ball, place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and grease a large baking sheet. Punch the dough to deflate it, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. If the dough seems tight, cover and let rest until it relaxes. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll and stretch each piece with the palms of your hands into an 18-inch rope, holding the ends and slapping the middle of the rope on the counter as you stretch. Form each rope into a long snake on a parchment lined baking pan one inch apart. 

Dissolve the baking soda in 3 cups warm water in a shallow baking dish. Gently dip a pastry brush in the baking soda solution and paint each pretzel. Allow to dry slightly and "paint" again.  Cut the ropes into 1/2 inch segments using a pizza cutter/roller. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. 

Combine the cinnamon sugar mixture in a small bowl. 

Lightly brush the pretzel bites with the Wild Groves Blood Orange Olive Oil. 

Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Roll the parchment paper up and turn over the pretzels into a pile. 

Drizzle with additional orange infused oil and cinnamon sugar if desired.

 Serve warm. Serve them anywhere anytime. You'll be freakin' happy! 

There you go.

Always My Very Best,

Your Friend Chef Tess