Pixie Witch Kitchen
Homemade Italian Parmesan Bread and Homemade Butter
On February 1st we celebrated Imbolc which is also called Brigid’s Day. It is the half way mark between winter and spring. Some of the foods prepared on this day are homemade breads and homemade butter. So today we will be making a delicious Italian Parmesan Bread with a bread machine. Yea I know that’s not very traditional using a bread machine, ok its not traditional at all but it fast and easy to do especially if you don’t have much time or have any medical issues and cant knead the bread yourself. Don’t worry I included directions to do it by hand in case you don’t have a bread machine.
What is a must with homemade bread? BUTTER! Yes lets make some homemade butter too. I’m doing it by hand with a really cool butter churner I got for Yule a few years ago. Don’t have a butter churner its ok cause we will also do it by shaking a jar. Be prepared for a sore arm hee hee.
Ok lets get started shall we?
Homemade Italian Parmesan Bread With A Bread Machine 1.5 Lbs.
Ingredients
1 C. + 2 Tbsp. of Water
1 1/8 Tsp. of Salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. Sugar
3 Tbsp. Butter
1 1/2 Tsp dried crushed Basil
1 1/4 Tsp. dried crushed Oregano
4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 Tsp. fast acting instant Yeast
3 1/2 C. bread flour
Directions
Collect all the ingredients.
Now pour the water into the bread pan inside the machine
Now add the salt and sugar
Next cut your butter into 3 chunks and add it in the corners.
Now add the flour.
Next add your basil and oregano.
Now add your parmesan cheese.
This next step is very important. Lightly level out the flour just lightly do not pack it down and then make a well in the middle of the flour. Dont go to deep. Now add the yeast in that well.
Now close the lid and set the settings. I used medium crust, 1.5 Lbs and hit start.
Once you hear it start to mix and knead, open it up and take a little pinch off the dough. If it feels to sticky and a bit more flour and if it to dry add a bit more water.It should be just fine the way it is, so far I’ve never had to add anything to it.
Close it back up and let it finish making the bread. That’s it for now soon your house will smell amazing. There is nothing better then the smell of break baking, ok there are a few other smells just as amazing Mmmmm. Be patient it will be done soon.
Once its finished take it out of the pan right away.
Let it set out for at least 10 mins before you cut it.
Now its ready to slice and enjoy.
No Bread Machine Directions
Use the same ingredients as above. In a large bowl add yeast and water. Mix it lightly then add all the ingredients except the flour. Mix it really well with a wooden spoon or your hands. Now mix in the flour little by little. Mix and knead well with your hands. Once its mixed and kneaded make into a ball and leave it in the bowl and cover. Let it rise until it doubles in size, it usually takes an hour so so. Then place it in a greased loaf pan and cover again lightly till it rises double sized again. Usually takes about 30-45 mins. Bake in a preheated oven of 350 for about 35-40 mins or till golden brown. Let it cool off 10 mins before you remove it from the pan.
Homemade Butter with a Churner
Ingredients
1 1/2 C. Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Tsp. Salt (optional)
I used this butter churner to make mine. If you don’t have one see the next recipe.
Important you need to set your whipping cream out for 1 -2 hours so it becomes room temp, if you don’t this will take an hour of mixing. Trust me I learned the hard way hee hee.
Pour your whipping cream into the jar.
Now add the salt.
Now close the lid and start churning it.
You will notice after a few mins it will start to foam, keep on churning and after about 5-6 mins it will tart to thicken up. After 8-10 mins it will start to get harder to turn and look like the following picture.
Its not finished yet keep on churning your almost there. About 12-15 mins it will separate itself. You will have just liquid and yellow butter. That means you did it, all that hard work is paying off. You can stop churning now. Pour out the liquid which is now buttermilk into a jar to save and use for your favorite buttermilk recipe. Put the solid butter into a bowl.
Add some cold water to the butter.
Rinse the butter off with the water and form it into a ball, squeezing out the extra water.Then dump out the water in the bowl and do it one more time. This washes away all the buttermilk on the butter. Now form it again into a nice ball.
Store your butter in a jar with a lid and keep in fridge up to 3 weeks.
Now the best part. Put some of that yummy butter on your homemade bread and enjoy.
Homemade Butter Shake Style in a Jar
Same ingredients as above. Fill a jar half way with the cream and add the salt. Shake it up and down not side to side for 6 mins. Once it gets very thick shake it really hard for 1 min. It should now be a solid butter with buttermilk. Now pour out the liquid which is now buttermilk into a jar to save and use for your favorite buttermilk recipe. Put the solid butter into a bowl and add some cold water to the butter. Rinse the butter off with the water and form it into a ball, squeezing out the extra water.Then dump out the water in the bowl and do it one more time. This washes away all the buttermilk on the butter. Now form it again into a nice ball. Store your butter in a jar with a lid and keep in fridge up to 3 weeks.
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About the Author:
Sarah Mascorro AKA Pixie Witch. I’m 45 years young and have been married to my soul mate for 28 plus year. We have 2 boys and live in good ole California. I was actually born in England but came to the states when I was 5.
I’m Pagan/Wiccan and have been practicing over 10 years now. I always knew I was different but didn’t figure it out till 2008, that’s when I came out of the broom closet. I’m a Witch and I’m proud of it. When I say different I mean I just didn’t fit in with what others did or believed in. I’m sure you all totally understand that feeling. Now I know though I’m not different, I’m me and there are so many others like me.
I hold rituals at my house with my circle for each Sabbat and we do a lot of witch crafts together. I love to do all types of crafts not just witchy like I make dream catchers, wood burn, make soaps and bath salts. I love to cross stitch and make latch hook rugs. I have a small page on Facebook that I sell my goodies. You can FIND THEM HERE at Pixiewitchcorner.
I love to cook and bake. My mother was a great cook & I picked up her talent. I love to make my own fun recipes and add some magick to them. I mean cooking is magickal right so why not add a little extra to it. I started a Kitchen Witch Group on Facebook over 4 years ago. If your on FB come check it out.
I love to spend my time with my hubby & boys. We love to be out in nature especially the beach & the forest. I belong in the forest, I guess all pixie’s do hee hee. My friends call me Pixie due to my size I’m 5’1 and barely 100 pounds with really long red and silver hair hee hee.
I collect stones like hag stones, labradorite, amethysts, quartz etc… I also collect witch statues, Goddess statues, owls, crows and the Moon. Oh & sea glass I cant forget that. Do tattoos count? If so I have over a 100 of them I’m about 80% covered.
Another hobby is photography. I love taking pictures of nature such as flowers, animals, trees, mountains, the ocean and my favorite of all the Moon.
I love to unwind two ways one is with a great book, usually witchy or paranormal ones catch my attention the most. I do read & research a lot about the human body and diseases due to my families rare health issues. The other is going outside under the stars and Moon. What a great way to end the day looking up at the dark beautiful sky.
That’s pretty much it, you see what you get hee hee. You either love me or hate me. Hopefully you all will love me haha.