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 This past weekend had me in the kitchen a lot. Food to comfort the body and soul, I suppose. When I had Charlie last November, a friend brought me over the most delicious, comforting, wonderful french bread. I begged her for the recipe and she obliged. I was so surprised when the bread actually worked. It's best straight out of the oven with a little dab of butter on top!

French Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water (105-115 degrees)

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon shortening (we used unsalted butter)

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 – 4 cups flour

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water

sesame seeds (optional)

 Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups flour; beat at medium speed of an electric mixeruntil smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Let stand 10 min. Stir gently for a few seconds; cover. Repeat gentle stirring at 10 min. intervals for 40 min. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each half to a 15- x 8-inch rectangle. Roll up jellyroll fashion, starting with the long side; pinch ends and seam to seal. Place loaves, seam side down, on a greased baking sheet. Make diagonal slits about 1/4-inch deep down the length of loaves, using a sharp knife. Combine egg white and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; beat with a wire whisk until blended. Brush loaves with egg white mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds (if desired). Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 45 min. or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 min. or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Yield: 2 loaves.  Heaven!

And because every loaf of bread needs to have a bowl of soup to dip in, we made one of our favorites:  Zuppa Toscana

1 lb ground italian sausage

2 large potatoes, thinly sliced

1 onion, chopped

1/2 C crumbled bacon 

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups of kale, torn

32 oz chieken broth

1 quart water

1 C whipping cream (we used skim milk)

Directions:

Cook sausage on stovetop and set aside. In large stockpot, add potatoes, onion, garlic, water & chicken broth. Cook until potatoes are done. Add bacon bits & sausage. Simmer 10 min. Add cream & kale. Cook 2 minutes. Salt & pepper to taste. 

We bought an extra bunch of kale and made the most delicious kale chips to go along. This is hands-down Henrys all time favorite soup. He's crazy about the kale. 

Thank you for all your wonderful and sweet comments about the previous post. We are in Utah now and so glad to be with family. xoxo