Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This, unfortunately, did not make it through a day. Next time, I would suggest making two loaves...that way you have at least a chance to freeze one for later...or to enjoy for the next day`s breakfast.

I made the icing that you would normally put on top of a cinnamon roll with this, but it did not really need it. Also, the longer it sat, the better it tasted...which was difficult to do!

I saw this recipe on Pinterest, but it had been modified a few times from the Pioneer Woman`s website, so I decided to go straight to the source to modify it myself. She has many fantastic recipes, but I`ve only made a few so far.

What you need: (seriously, go ahead and make 2 loaves right away, you won`t be disappointed)

1 cup milk (I used skim)

 6 Tbls butter
12.5 g (about 2 packages) hefe (yeast)*
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp salt

For the inside:
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbls cinnamon

1 egg for brushing over the top
softened butter

*If you have Active Dry Yeast available, check the original source for the amount

On medium-low heat, put the milk and butter in a pot. Heat until thoroughly melted and mixed, but do not boil. Let cool enough that you can touch it, but don`t let it get to room temperature. Add the yeast packet and mix gently. Let sit while doing the next part.

In a large bowl, add the sugar and eggs. Mix well

Add the milk, butter and yeast mixture. Stir until combined. 

 Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl. Add 1/2 at a time to the sugar and egg mixture. Beat until well combined before adding the second half.

Continue to mix well until the dough is relatively un-sticky. About 10 minutes. If you don`t have an electric mixing bowl with the dough attachments, it is easiest if you knead by hand (which I did)

If it is still sticky, keep mixing and add a little flour at a time. In a clean bowl, add a little räpsol (canola) to coat the bowl so the dough doesn`t stick. Roll the dough around so it is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm spot to rise. Let sit for 2 hours

On a large, clean surface, roll the dough into a rectangle. You can measure it against your loaf pan, so that it is no wider than the pan. Roll it out to about 45-60 cm (18-24 in). Use your softened butter to smear over the length of it. 

Mix the cinnamon and sugar together. You will have a lot, but make sure you use all of it when sprinkling over the buttered dough. I didn`t, and wish I had. 

Starting at the end farthest from you, roll the dough, as tightly and evenly as you can, towards you. Don`t worry if it is not perfect, as it will all be jammed into the loaf pan anyway :)

Using some more of your softened butter, coat the loaf pan and then place the dough, seam down, inside. 

Sadly, you must now cover it with plastic wrap again for another 2 hours. Don`t worry though, you are almost done!

See how nicely it rose again?

Lightly beat an egg and brush it over the top. 

Heat your oven to 180 C and bake on a middle - low rack for 40 minutes until nice and brown. 

Remove from the pan (this is where the butter comes in as it should just tip out) and let cool. 

This is where you must make a decision...let everyone know it`s done (unfortunately they will probably smell the yummy-ness) or enjoy the first slice yourself. If you want to freeze it, let it cool completely first. Thaw it on the counter to enjoy. 

Pastry Wrapped Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

This is one of my favorite things I have made recently. I love mushrooms, so it`s not really a big surprise. Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding the portobello mushrooms right now, but the beauty of this recipe is that you can actually make it without them. My husband and I both agree that it is better with though. This also freezes beautifully. This is something I have been working with as well recently.

What you need: This is for 4, but you can half it, or freeze half as needed (or double of course)

 4 portobello mushrooms, insides removed

1 package (about 500 g) of fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbls butter
2 large cups of spinach - I haven`t measured yet, I just add about 3/4 of a bag of baby spinach or 1/2 a bag of regular. Depends on what I can find at the store.
2 Tbls olive oil
2 shallots, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp balsamic vinegar. I use the Aceto Basalmico because I think it tastes great
1/4 cup of pine nuts. I buy the small bag at Coop or Migros and use about 1/2 of it
1 Tbls bread crumbs. I use panko as I like the texture. I wouldn`t use the tiny grain sized bread crumbs if you can help it.
1 cup Gruyere, though I don`t use quite that much. You can also use the Gruyere/Emmentaler mix for a good flavor.
Salt and pepper to taste
1 sheet of Blätterteig. (puff pastry). Be sure to get the rectangular one as it is easier to cover the mushrooms.
1 egg

Pre-heat the oven to 190 C.

Rinse the mushrooms and take out the stems and the gills

Brush each side with a little bit of olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes, with the cap side up, and for 5-7 minutes down. Take out of the oven and set them on some paper towels to catch any extra liquid. 

While the mushrooms are cooking, in a large pan, add a little olive oil. Add half of the shallots and garlic. Cook about 3-5 minutes, until lightly browned. 

Add the spinach and mix well. 

Right when the spinach begins to melt, add the balsamic

Remove from the pan and place in a bowl. 

Put the butter in the same pan and add the rest of the shallot and garlic. Let cook about 2 minutes and then add the mushrooms

Add a little salt and pepper and cook the mushrooms until most of the moisture is gone

Remove the mushrooms and add to the spinach mixture. Mix and let cool (10-15 minutes).

While cooling, in a dry pan, toast your pine nuts. Remove when slightly browned and add to the mixture. 

Add the bread crumbs (or panko) and the cheese. 

Lay your puff pastry out and cut it into 4 even rectangles. Place one of the portobello mushrooms in each section, cap side down. Divide up the mixture and stuff the mushrooms. They will be over flowing. As long as you have a large puff pastry, this is fine. (And tasty!)

Very carefully, flip the filled mushrooms over

Bring up each side of the pastry to make a little package. One corner, side, corner, side, and so on. 

In a small bowl, mix up your egg and then brush some over the top of the dough to give it a nice brown color when cooked. I cut out extra pieces of dough for fun the first time I made this. 

Bake in the oven for the time and temperature directed on your blätterteig package. Usually at 200 C for about 15-20 minutes. The top should be a nice brown when it is done. 

If you would like to freeze this, simply place in a freezer bag, without the egg. To cook, let thaw, add the egg glaze and cook for the time indicated. Turns out great. 

You can also make this without the portobello mushroom, but I don`t think it is quite as good. I would double the filling recipe in this case though. 

The original recipe can be found here. I think this was the original link, there seem to be a few very similar ones now.