We are buying a new old house! It’s exciting but so scary. It was a spur of the moment decision and we didn’t think we’d actually get it (but were hoping.)
A 1930’s brick Art Deco Bungalow (I think…)
All original lighting fixtures, tiles, doors, knobs, even stove and sink. High ceilings and plaster walls. Very cool (or it will be.) The lot is what sold me. Almost an acre in the city! (4 level lots.) I can have a nice garden! It’s only a block from my house now, so not a huge change that way. (We LOVE our neighborhood!)
I am freaking out because now I have to finish the rent house, fix this one to sell, and fix that one to move into…
Anyone want to buy my house???
I made up a recipe for sweet rolls today because my impatient husband and son wanted sweet rolls “NOW!” I didn’t want to make the short cut recipe I usually do when we want sweet rolls quickly- so I improvised by using the ratios I use on my pizza crust. They ended up being better than almost all the other recipes we usually use! After breakfast I had 4 left out of a pan of 15…
(It also made a small pan with 6 small ones in it that I’ll freeze.)
The results…..
What I did:
Sweet Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Vanilla Glaze
5 cups flour
add 1/2 stick of butter (melted) and put in mixer with dough hook
On stove warm 2 cups milk
(You want it to be warm, but cool enough to stick your finger in and not be burned if you count to 10)
To this add 3 1/4 teaspoons of yeast and about 1/4 cup of sugar (I use Mexican cane sugar instead of white sugar in everything.)
In a small cup beat 2 eggs
Add milk mixture and eggs to flour mixture and blend.
If dough is really sticky add enough flour to make it still moist but where you can touch it and
not have sticky fingers (it’s okay if it’s more on the sticky side now because you can add flour later when your knead.)
Let rise about 15 minutes (would be better to let rise til double, but we are impatient.)
Knead dough on floured surface. Add flour to make a nice dough if it’s sticky. Knead until you have a pretty, soft dough.
Roll out into a large rectangle (about 18 x 20)
Brush with melted butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (you can add nuts or chocolate chips or raisins if you want to.)
Roll up from long side pressing as you go.
Cut into about 1 inch pieces and place cut side down in a greased baking dish.
Let rise at least another 15 minutes (or ideally until doubled.)
Bake at 350 until light golden brown.
Pour or brush glaze over rolls while warm.
Glaze
About 1/4 cup of melted butter (more or less)
Add powdered sugar (1-2 cups, again more or less)
thin with orange juice and add about 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
Take a small saucepan and cover the bottom with turbinado sugar (you can use regular but I just like the taste of raw sugar.)
Add about 2-3 Tablespoons of cocoa. (I use Penzey’s High Fat Content Natural Cocoa.) If you use Hershey’s or such you’ll need to add a Tablespoon or so more and also add a Tablespoon or two of butter. Also put in cinnamon if you’d like (I sprinkle a bit of Penzey’s Korinjite Cinnamon.)
Stir the cocoa and sugar and water to cover, about a 1/2 a cup or so.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat and immediately pour in milk to fill up pan (about 4 cups.)
Add about 2 teaspoons of vanilla and heat til warm and stir with a whisk occasionally.
Serve with whatever you like- a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle of cinnamon, marshmallows, (shot of Bailey’s or Kahlua for you stressed out folks!)
FY.I.
There are so many different hot cocoa recipes and variations.
If you use shaved or chopped up chocolate instead of cocoa it’s then called “hot chocolate!” Also good but I like the way the cocoa totally dissolves myself.
Did you know that “real” hot cocoa originated with the Aztecs? Some say it actually had chicken broth, wine, and hot peppers in it! I made it once to see what it was like and it was good, but different.
The Kuna indians in Panama drink 5 or more cups of hot cocoa a day! (They make it from fresh cocoa beans though…)
Cocoa
(There are small beans inside covered with a yummy white fruit- we used to love to get these as kids in Panama!)
I made these delicious cinnamon rolls this morning that my mom gave me the recipe for. So yummy!
Served with hot cocoa, just about perfect on a cold day!
For me it would have to be hot cocoa. Good, homemade hot cocoa mind you, NOT the packaged stuff or mixes. My daughter cracked me up once when she was tiny. We went to IHOP and she ordered hot cocoa. She took a sip and said, “Mommy, I don’t think this is hot cocoa.” (You can definitely tell the difference!) Dr. Weil says that hot cocoa is actually good for you, so I don’t feel as guilty as I once did!
Here’s what I do…
Hot Cocoa Recipe
Take a small saucepan and cover the bottom with turbinado sugar (you can use regular but I just like the taste of raw sugar.)
Add about 2-3 Tablespoons of cocoa. (I use Penzey’s High Fat Content Natural Cocoa.) If you use Hershey’s or such you’ll need to add a Tablespoon or so more and also add a Tablespoon or two of butter. Also put in cinnamon if you’d like (I sprinkle a bit of Penzey’s Korinjite Cinnamon.)
Stir the cocoa and sugar and water to cover, about a 1/2 a cup or so.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat and immediately pour in milk to fill up pan (about 4 cups.)
Add about 2 teaspoons of vanilla and heat til warm and stir with a whisk occasionally.
Serve with whatever you like- a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle of cinnamon, marshmallows, (shot of Bailey’s or Kahlua for you stressed out folks!)
FY.I.
There are so many different hot cocoa recipes and variations.
If you use shaved or chopped up chocolate instead of cocoa it’s then called “hot chocolate!” Also good but I like the way the cocoa totally dissolves myself.
Did you know that “real” hot cocoa originated with the Aztecs? Some say it actually had chicken broth, wine, and hot peppers in it! I made it once to see what it was like and it was good, but different.
The Kuna indians in Panama drink 5 or more cups of hot cocoa a day! (They make it from fresh cocoa beans though…)
Cocoa
(There are small beans inside covered with a yummy white fruit- we used to love to get these as kids in Panama!)
I made these delicious cinnamon rolls this morning that my mom gave me the recipe for. So yummy!
Served with hot cocoa, just about perfect on a cold day!
*I had such a great response to Monday’s Green Housekeeping post that I decided to make it a weekly thing. Not sure what day yet but I think it will be a Mr. Linky type thing and we can share Green living tips! I have to figure out how to make a button and such first. If you have any suggestions please let me know!
