Mango...seed to garden

A Mango will make my taste buds smile every time.  Mango smoothies in the am, mango slices for a snack, mango chutney on chicken...you get the idea, I am a fan.

I thought I would try one more time, I have many failed attempts under my belt, to take the mango seed and grow a tree.  Mango...seed to garden.

After devouring my mango fruit I cleaned the seed and set it to dry on the window edge.  two days later it was dry and I could "crack" it open and harvest the seed inside the husk.

The next step was simple, I wrapped the seed pod in wet paper towels and put in a sealed zip lock bag.  The seed pod went into a dark cabinet and I checked to make sure the paper towel stayed damp and waited patiently for signs of growth.  One week later I was surprised I had started a mango!

Unwrap the mango seed(s) gently and put into pot with soft soil, water, and more waiting... 

Eight days later I have Mango...seed to garden!

Another week of warm sunshine in the sun room and one of the Mango seedling trees are ready for garden.  The other mango seedling has a few more days before I can do so.

hmmm.... wonder how quickly they will grow and produce fruit....

Blueberry Cobbler

I love the simplicity of a cobbler, Blueberry Cobbler in particular.  This Blueberry Cobbler recipe is a family favorite.  

Blueberry Cobbler

8 x8 pan, Bake @ 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Ingredients:

1.5 cups AP flour

3/4 cup sugar

1.5 teaspoons cinnamon

dash salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of butter, cubed

1 egg

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pulse above ingredients together until blended into crumbles.

Put half of crust mix in greased 8 x 8 pan.

In mixing bowl put 

1.5 to 2 cups fresh blueberries

sprinkle with 2 - 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, turn berries gently until coated in cornstarch.

Spoon the berries over the bottom crust evenly.  Top with the remaining crumb mixture.

Bake until top is golden brown 30 - 40 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Fresh from the oven!

Now, the only choice remaining...ice cream or whipped cream?

Yummmmm...........

Artisan Multi Grain Bread

Is there any aroma in the world that smells as good as fresh baked bread wafting through your kitchen on a rainy and cold afternoon?  Not...

I love homemade bread.  Multi grain bread tops my must gobble up baked bread list.  Multi Grain is easy peasy with Red Mill 7 Grain hot cereal or their Hot Cereal Muesli multi grain with raisins etc. 

Multi Grain Bread

makes two loaves

1 cup 7-grain Hot Cereal, such as Bob's Red Mill  (I used Bob's Red Mill Muesli)

2 ½ cups boiling Water

¼ cup honey

1 package quick rise yeast

1 Tbsp salt

3 cups flour (all purpose)

1 ½ cup whole wheat flour

4 Tablespoons melted butter

½ cup oatmeal

Non-stick spray

Directions:

1) Boil water, pour over Red Mill hot cereal. Stir and let set until temperature cools to 100 degrees.

2) In mixing bowl with dough attachment, put in hot cereal.  Add honey and yeast.  Combine on low setting. Add in melted butter. Slowly add in flour and salt.  Mix and knead until all ingredients combine in mixer.  Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.

3) Remove dough from mixer bowl, and put on a lightly floured surface. Flatten and knead until dough.  Spray down a large bowl with non-stick spray. Add dough to bowl and roll around bowl to coat with spray. Cover and set aside in a warm place for one hour.

4) Remove risen dough  and shape dough into a 18x12 inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife divide in half so it measures two 9" x 12"squares. Tightly roll each dough square into a log. Pinch all ends together.  Repeat with other dough log.  Set aside.

5) Sprinkle oatmeal out onto surface. Spray each dough log with non-stick spray and roll in oats to coat. Set dough loaves into two loaf pans. Cover and set in warm place to rise a second time for one hour.

6) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the center of the loaves are golden brown.  Remove bread from loaf pans and let cool.  

The cool off period begins...

Artisan Multi Grain Bread to warn you from the inside out and soooo delicious.