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Dinner's already cooking and suddenly the phone rings bringing the news you're having guests for dinner. No time to go to the grocery store for more food and adding water to the chili or soup is tacky. When's the last time you heard somebody raving about the delicious flavored water they dined on? What do you do to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the meal to accommodate your unexpected visitors?
Try adding bread to your menu. The two recipes below are simple and delicious. Bread satisfies. The aroma of baking bread through your home is a comforting, welcoming smell. Baking bread is one of life's plain and simple pleasures.
If you have more than an hour before the guests arrive, the recipe for beer bread is a great choice. There's no kneading and rising time is just one hour. You might want to go ahead and make two loaves - one to put in the freezer for your next dining emergency.
Beer Bread - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease one loaf pan well.
In a bowl combine:
3 cups of self-rising flour
3 Tablespoons of sugar
Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in:
1 - 12 ounce can of ANY kind of room temperature beer (I always get the cheapest)
Mix until all is moist. Roll and pat into shape in the bowl.
Place in the greased loaf pan and pat into the corners evenly distributing.
Grease the top with oil and let rise in a warm place for one hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. The top of the loaf will be brown and crusty.
If you don't have much time or if guests have already arrived, this bread recipe is quick and easy.
Italian Cheese Biscuits - Yields 10 to 12 biscuits. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Don't grease the cookie sheet!
Combine:
2 cups of flour
2/3 cup of milk
Add:
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Beat for 30 seconds
Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls
Bake for 8 - 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Tops will be golden brown.
Now, the next thing you're going to do is drizzle the following mixture over the tops of the biscuits when they emerge from the oven.
Topping:
Combine 1/4 cup of butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon of garlic.
If you have Italian seasoning in the house, crush 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning and add to the butter mixture. Spoon over the top of the hot biscuits.
There you have it - two great fast and easy breads rush to your rescue. So next time you have unexpected company, no problem. Bake bread!
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