CRANBERRY YEAST BREAD RECIPE

I always love to bake my own bread, trying out classic recipes and sometimes adding my little twist to the original  creations.

So far I haven't tried cranberry in my baking  and this is going to be my venture this week.  If you have a bread maker, it will cut down all the manual work but I made my bread by hand from start to finish.  This gives a great satisfaction and learning process,  you can tell by mixing the dough whether it has a perfect balance of water, butter and flour.

This Cranberry Yeast Bread makes one big loaf but I  turned mine into 3 strand braided loaf.  The method varies slightly from regular yeast bread  by  spreading  some butter and sprinkle with brown sugar before final shaping.  Am surprise to see the bread still not very sweet, the way I like it.

Everyone in my family  loved this Cranberry Yeast Bread,  It was a complete success!  This recipe is definitely a keeper and will be used often.

BLUEBERRY OATMEAL BREAD

Most of us like to have oatmeal for breakfast but sometimes you feel bored eating the same thing again and again.  So I incorporated rolled oat and adding fresh blueberries for making this Blueberry Oatmeal Bread.

Oatmeal is a healthier choice but tasteless to eat on its own.   The benefits of  rolled oat can be enjoyed in  yeast/quick bread, muffins, breakfast bars, granola, biscuit, pancake, oatmeal burger and crumble.   Include  this natural power food regularly that contains minerals, vitamins, fiber,  lipid and numerous health benefits in your diet.  The fiber in oatmeal makes you feel full through out the day.   Fiber also eases constipation and control blood sugar.

Some packets of instant oatmeal, loaded with sugar  as much as 8 tsp per serving and high in sodium. Always check the label  to see what you are getting.

For healthier choice, replace half of plain flour with wholemeal flour and easily turns it into dairy free by using oil in place of  butter also milk with soy milk, almond or rice milk.

This Blueberry Oatmeal Bread were delicious.  Very filling with the oatmeal in them.  came out super moist too.

Other fabulous recipes made with oatmeal.   Click on the title to view full recipe.

Apple Oatmeal Bars

Pomegranate Mango Baked Oatmeal

Dairy Free Oatmeal Banana Squares

BEST COCOA BROWNIES

My family loves brownies and have make several batches of  Eggless Coffee Brownies  and   Banana Brownies Eggless before. Both of them are cake like type.

Some brownies used dark chocolate  but I have no chocolate at the moment.   In this case, I  opt for cocoa powder instead.   The recipe below is super easy to put together and with the option to add nuts or chocolate chip for more intensified chocolate flavor.   Also added only 3/4 cup of sugar.

Best Cocoa Brownies only need a whisk to mix melted butter together with sugar and cocoa powder. Then mix in the rest of the ingredients and stir until smooth.   It is now ready to be baked.

Baked in my 8 in round pan instead of 8 x 8 and it took 20 minutes flat to bake but this depends on individual  oven.  When completely cool, slice into 12 or 16 squares if you're using 8 x 8 in pan.

This Best Cocoa Brownies is  a soft and chewy on the inside and chocolatey.  It is also the easiest one bowl brownies you could ever hope for.   As requested,  I have planned to bake this again tomorrow.

BROCCOLI & TOMATO PASTA RECIPE

We love pasta but I seldom cook it.   My son requested  to have pasta this week,   first thing I  check what I have in my pantry and fridge.

Since we have broccoli, macaroni and fresh tomato, decided to whip up my Broccoli & Tomato Pasta for our meal today.

Wonder why I don't make this often since this is the easiest and importantly tasty.   When boiling the pasta, cook until aldente as stated on the package.   Use the water from boiling pasta to cook broccoli and retain some of the water to be added to the pasta if it is too dry.

Prefer spicier pasta, added more chili paste than stated.   In case you don't have chili paste, opt for chili powder.  I know some of you may not have  chili powder so add black pepper instead.

This Broccoli & Tomato Pasta is so versatile, you can add other vegetables, meat or cheese to your liking  Even without any add on, it tastes awesome!

My family also love the following pasta.  Check the recipe by clicking on the title.

Stir Fried Pasta

Penne Arrabiata

Spaghetti In Ccurry Sauce

HEALTHY OATMEAL BANANA COOKIES

Quiet some time, I have baked cookies for my family.   I love easy and delicious recipes and this Healthy Oatmeal Banana Cookies fall into this category. These are egg free and use a minimal amount of melted butter.

In fact, it uses one bowl so you save time washing up and the best part, just throw in all ingredients in a mixing bowl then mix until well incorporated.

Easily shape the mixture into 1 in ball then flatten slightly.  Besides raisin, opt for cranberries, apricot or mix in sesame / sunflower seeds or almond/walnut.   The possibilities are endless.  If you're not keen to roll the cookies, you can spoon the dough into a greased baking sheet.  Press with a metal spoon to smooth top.  After baking, cut it into bars.

Healthy Oatmeal Banana Cookies turned  fantastic, soft center and not so sweet which I love. If you need it sweeter, add more sugar.  Bake them longer  for crunchier cookies.

Other cookies recipe you should check out:

Milk Cookies
Crunchy Sesame Cookies
Fruity Cookies