Tomato Basil Garlic Sourdough Bread - Photos

So, lately I've gotten into making my own bread and soft pretzels. It's surprisingly easy, definitely delicious, and about the cheapest way to enjoy great bread! Anyhow, last night I made some amazing bread and thought I'd share the recipe with all of you. I started with this recipe, and added a little to it.

You'll need:

1 packet of active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups of sourdough starter (you can buy this at the grocery store, get it from a friend, or start your own)

1 cup warm tomato juice (under 110 degrees)

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

7 cups white flour (approximately)

Vegetable oil

First, dissolve the yeast in a cup of warm water, under 11o degrees because that will kill the yeast and the bread won't rise. Set aside for a few minutes.

Your starter should be able to rise on it's own and bubbly.

In a large bowl, mix starter and tomato juice. V8 is great, it's just too expensive here, so I go for the cheap stuff. Then add salt, sugar, and yeast mixture and stir well making sure to get out the lumps.

Now is the point when you can add whatever into the batter that you would like to. I added garlic powder and LOTS of basil. The basil really makes it so don't skimp! I would have added some chopped up sundried tomatos, but I didn't have any. Next time.

Start adding 1 cup of flour at a time slowly stirring it into the mixture. Mix well to develop the gluten. When the dough is firm enough, turn out onto a floured surface to knead the dough into a smooth and elastic dough, being sure to knead out all the lumps and adding in the last bits of flour as you go. This is half way there, at about 3.5 cups.

When you're done kneading the dough, put it into a lightly oiled, large bowl and set it in a draft free place to rise for at least an hour. I usually set mine in the microwave. Remember it will double in size.

Push the dough back down and make sure to unstick the dough from the edges. Separate the dough into little loaves depending on the size you are wanting them for. Sometimes we make bread bowls for soup and of course these are smaller than the regular loaves. We typically make two larger loaves and three small loaves to share with neighbors and friends. Place on greased baking sheets with some room between them. Let them sit for an additional 30 minutes to rise again.

If you'd like to put anything on top, now is the time to do it. I found these great garlic flavored sesame seeds here. So, I add plenty of sesame seeds and some sea salt on top for some added flavor. You can also slit the top if your afraid of the crust breaking.

No need to preheat the oven, just put them in and turn your oven on at 350 for 30-45 minutes until they are golden brown on the bottom. It takes right at 35 minutes for mine to bake and I always make sure to take them out and check the bottoms just to make sure. If they bake into each other, it's no problem, just tear them apart.

For a softer crust, let cool under a clean dish towel and for a crispier crust, let them cool without. Here's how mine looked done!

As you can see, Josh was busy updating his blog while I was baking. :)

I hope you try this and enjoy it. It's really rewarding and just plain delicious! You'll never have to buy bread again! :)

Sometimes my life is like a scene out of a movie

So, tragically, I had ALMOST forgot about this story until class yesterday. You see, we've been reading a book in my conversation class (figure that one out) and talking about the sayings we find along the way. Well a phrase came up that was like "to wish the earth would open and swallow you hole," with the meaning being that you're so embarrassed or ashamed that you wish you could just disappear. Then, my professor asked me to come up with a time that I had felt this way and like a God send from heaven, this story reappeared in my mind after being at the gates of complete erasure from my mind.

So, I looked up at Roxanna and said, in Spanish of course, "Well, I can't think of one that happened to me, but you just made me remember a story from Sunday." You see, Sunday afternoon Josh and I went to the movies and saw "Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs." Being that it's so cheap here, we each got a soda as well. Well, by the last 30 minutes of the movie I had to go to the bathroom so bad that I shot up like a lightning bold and ran for the bathroom. By the time I made it to the bathroom there was already a line...my luck. It moved pretty quickly until there was just one girl in front of me that was maybe 20 years old. Well, an older lady that was probably in her late 60's or early 70's came out of a stall and had washed her hands when she asked to be let by to get some paper towels. As she did so, the lady in front of me noticed that she had some toilet paper sticking out of her pants that had a zipper closure in the back. She tried to do it discreetly, but because of the other lady's age, she had a hard time hearing so the lady had to continually repeat it. The worst part of the whole scenario is that the toilet paper had been used.

Number two.

With streaks of poo all down it, the elderly lady was embarrassed and tried to pull it out. Somehow she couldn't get it in just one pull. It was one of those things like the clown cloth that just kept coming and coming. I tried really hard not to watch, but how could I not! I made sure to keep my head down and hold back all snickers because as sure as I would let one slip, I would have burst out in laughter and I truly did feel back for the lady. Luckily, two stalls opened up within the next 30 seconds and I was out of the danger zone. I was in such shock over what had just happened, that I didn't even check for toilet paper before entering and locking the stall door. Luckily, there was plenty. I was in such a hurry to get out of there, that I actually pretty much forgot about it before I even got out of the bathroom to see Josh, patiently waiting outside for me.

So, I was so thrilled when the story was brought back to memory because I was never able to fully appreciate the joy of the Seinfeldesque scene that had been played out in front of me! I would definitely say that she probably wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole at that moment. Roxanna says weird things happen around me all the time and I have to agree, I get to see some strange stuff but I really appreciate it and it makes me giggle.

I don't know about you, but I am so thankful when stories or dreams get pulled back to memory right before they are completely erased. It really annoys me when I wake up in the morning and think to myself, "Man, that was a terrific dream! It felt so real!" Then, 20 minutes later when I go to tell Josh about it, it's only left the annoyance of the feeling of being on the tip of my tongue, when in all actuality, I know it will never come back to me. However, when someone says something that brings a dream or story back, I instantly get transported back to the moment and enjoy it.

So, have you ever had a situation where you were SURE someone was about to pop out and say, "Surprise! You're on Candid Camera!"?

Ugh, it's official...

So, Josh tried and tried to recover the images from my CF card, but in the end our pictures from Sarchi and from Halloween are lost forever. I've gotten over being mad, now I'm just sad. The worse part of it all, is that now my CF card won't work and we can't reformat it either. So now I'm stuck here without a CF card which means no camera use until we return to the states in December. I am SO bummed out. I don't think bummed is even the word for it.

So, needless to say, there will be no pictures uploaded here anytime soon. Sorry!

On the bright side, Josh's mom sent us a package with some of our favorite candies inside. I am anxiously awaiting that! I'm going to go read and try to forget about my camera woes.

A funny story is coming tomorrow. I forgot about it until conversation class this morning. I'm not in the mood to tell it yet, but it's coming. Fear not...

Slight heart attack

I just came in to download some pictures and for whatever reason, Lightroom wouldn't import them. I check to make sure they were showing up on the card and they were. So, I tried again. Nothing. No problem. There's probably a glitch somewhere. I'll just restart the computer.

Wait, where'd the card reader go? Why can't I see the card reader?

Don't panic! Just take the card reader out, put the CF card in the camera and try to hook the camera up by USB cord.

WHAT!?! Why are my pictures not showing up on the camera either! What the heck!!!

Put the card BACK into the card reader. Maybe it'll work this time. No luck. Panic setting in...

Quick google check and can't find anything exactly like my issue. What is going ON!

Josh comes in at the angry sounds coming out of the office. "What's wrong?" I explain the situation to him and he takes the card and card reader to the PC to check if it will come up there. The PC recognizes the card. He downloads a photo restoration program and it is currently running.

Not that this would be the end of the world, but I have pictures from the last month on there and I'd be really bummed to lose them. Plus, the thought of losing the use of my camera for the next month before our next visit to the states is a total bummer.

List of upcoming events:

• My 26th birthday
• Panama trip
• Thanksgiving
• Graduation for some students

Here's to hoping that everything will be restored and the card can be reformatted and usable...

Thoughts and such

Thanks for all the ideas and comments on Christmas traditions. I enjoyed hearing them and will probably be incorporating some of them! I found out today that apparently there is a 3 ft tree on sale for $10 at pequeño mundo. I haven't seen it yet, but we're hoping to get a few things to decorate the place and do some baking to share with other missionaries and the professors.

Today in class we started talking about our best and worst Christmases. I'm going to spare the drama of my worse Christmas, but after sharing it made me really miss my mom. We don't have cell phones, nor a phone that we can call the states here and she doesn't have very good internet, so I've only talked to her once since I've been here. We've been here for 2 and a half months. It's flown by but at the same time, it feels like I haven't talked to my mom or my family forever!

We sometimes have a strained relationship, but I love them, pray for them, and truly want them to be happy. I guess I don't really expect them to be thrilled for me to be here, but I wish they were more supportive. It's hard to see Josh talk to his parents on Skype all the time and receive packages from his parents and know that that isn't the case with my mom. It's hard imagining how the relationship will be once we have kids. His parents are happy to travel and come visit whereas my mom refuses to board a plane. This is something that I want to take from Josh's side of the family. They always support him and are there to advise him if he asks for it, but they don't tell him what to do and cut him off if he doesn't follow it.

UGH, I can't believe I just wrote such a depressing post so far. I've just been thinking and reflecting on this a lot lately. Moving on... Josh created his own blog with ramblings and thoughts that are drifting through his mind. You can check it out here.

I'm working really hard at blogging just about everyday and getting our blog out there. I'd really like to gain more readers and I'd love to hear from you. I love reading comments, so comment away and let me know what you are thinking!

I'm going to go edit some pictures. I keep saying I'm going to and haven't. Hopefully, I'll have some pictures for you all tomorrow!

Diary Entry

Recently in my conversation class, we started reading a popular children's book called "Pantalones Cortos," or "Shorts." It's all about a little boy who gets a diary for his birthday and starts to write diary entries of the days events. It's cute and it helps us to learn some sayings and phrases in Spanish and of course helps our reading comprehension.

Well, Roxana asked us to write a diary entry for homework and I thought I would share it here. For those that don't understand Spanish, it's just about my day today, nothing super important, but thought some might want to read it.

08/11/09

Hoy me levanté a las 9 con un dolor de cabeza tan grande. Comí cereal, como todas las mañanas, y revisé mi correo. Empecé a pensar en las tradiciones de la Navidad. Siempre teníamos un arbol de la Navidad. Comprábamos todos los regalos la mañana del "Día Negro." Decorábamos toda la casa. Aunque todavía no es la temporada navideña en los estados, ya es aquí. Y me di cuenta de que ya me hacen falta aun las cosas tontas como los vasos rojos de Starbucks, los sueteres, y lattes de pumpkin.

Así que decidí que quiero empezar una tradición nueva. No sé que todavía. Escribí un blog para pedir ideas de familia y amigos. Estoy esperando sus respuestas.

Durante todo este tiempo, Josh cocinaba el almuerzo. Cocinó pollo, arroz, y vainicas. Después de comer, chateé con mi suegra y ella me dijo que me mandó un paquete con mi dulce favorito del otoño, se llama candy corn.

Estabamos tan aburridos y todavía yo tenía el dolor de cabeza, así que decidimos a ir al cine y ver la película "Lluvia de Hamburguesas" en 3D. Esta fue la primera película que Josh vio totalmente en español. ¡Yo estaba tan orgullosa de él! Después, caminábamos por el mall antes de salir.

Regresamos para nuestra rutina de todos los domingos. Siempre miramos los programas de "Amazing Race" e "Iron Chef."

Creo que voy a leer algunos capítulos de "Almanecer" antes de dormirme porque no tuve ganas de leer anoche.

Hasta la vista...

Christmas Traditions

I know, you're probably thinking, "Christmas? It's not even Thanksgiving yet!" But being in Costa Rica, we don't celebrate all the holidays that we do back in the states. Halloween came and went and no one seemed to notice. Thanksgiving is a holiday for us in the states and not celebrated down here. Now don't get me wrong, we'll have the day off from school but we have to meet up with the other missionaries for a lunch or dinner thing.

I love the holiday season and it's kind of sad that we don't get to experience most of the fun holiday stuff that we think of when we think Christmas. No pumpkin lattes, no red cups from starbucks, no snow, no sweaters, no real christmas trees. It's a little sad. Most of the stores are already decorated for Christmas and have been since August. By decorated, I mean have a little wreath runner and maybe some red bows. Lights, as of yet, haven't really been seen and artificial Christmas trees and decorations are triple the price they are back in the states. Needless to say, we won't have a Christmas tree this holiday season. We won't have any decorations, or lights, and we won't be wrapping presents.

I'm hoping to start some new holiday traditions this year to help us start feeling in the Christmas mood and spirit of the season. Maybe bake some treats. I'm not sure, but I'm hoping that it cools down a little here so we can enjoy some hot chocolate and holiday movies!

Do you have any Christmas or holiday traditions that you've always done? How long have they been part of your family? Any ideas for some new traditions we can incorporate into our holidays?

Feeling Lonely

Today, after going to the feria like we always do, I realized how bored I've been come with the exact routine we do every week here in Costa Rica. Monday through Friday we go to school all morning and work on homework and errands in the afternoons. Friday we always meet up with our Tico friend, Eduardo. Saturday morning we always go to the feria, then pricemart, then automercado and are so worn out by the end of it we just clean up the fresh fruits and veggies and relax. Sunday morning is church, then we have lunch, then usually a movie or something and possibly some homework. Sunday night we watch Amazing Race and Iron Chef then go to bed. It's become so routine and so common that it is downright boring. I had a minor meltdown and got really upset until finally Aminadab called and invited us over for lunch.

Amina is a friend of ours that also lives here along with his wife and daughter. He's mexican but is from Texas. They're here because of his wife's job. They're great people and make some killer food! :) We had a good time over there and talked about some of the things we miss from the states, how hard it is living away from friends and family, and a constant feeling of not belonging. It was a well needed break from the boredom and monotonous life we sometimes lead here in Costa.

Last night were were trying to find ABC's new show "V" on but I guess we missed the premiere. Sad. Hopefully they'll reshow it sometime soon!

A Vat of Wine

We start the day with chapel almost every school day and today was no different. However, Don Cartledge had not been expecting to have to speak because we were supposed to have a speaker scheduled. I guess she had called and rescheduled for tomorrow, but he started looking through his Bible and you could tell he wasn't as prepared as he normally liked.

He got up and explained the situation then began to talk about a new book he's reading. I forgot the title but it's something about servitude and sounded like an interesting read. He shared some quotes, then started talking about how the semester is coming to an end and how soon we won't be the newbees anymore. There will be new students in January and we will be considered the veterns, to which I quickly turned to another couple that's been here since January of this year and will be here until April and asked, "What's that make you?" Tia Maria, as Katie affectionately coined her, replied, "Ancient." She makes me laugh.

Anyhow, Don continued and said that one time while he was in Italy, I believe, he saw these huge vats of wine. The guy he was with said that if you drop even one drop of vinegar in the entire vat of wine it would change the entire composition of the entire vat into vinegar. One drop would make the entire difference. Then he said that we make the atmosphere. If there is even one person who starts the negativity then the whole group follows suite and it ruins the whole experience. It was interesting because I have noticed that we have had such a great group and have all pretty much had good attitudes. This may be because we're such a small group of only 16, but still it's great. He said that we're probably going to double in size. I'm really excited about that, but at the same time, the shoe is going to be stretched. Right now it's really comfortable. I can't wait to see who God is bringing into our group though. It'll be awesome!

Pretzels

So, I made some soft pretzels for us to enjoy tonight and they turned out great. This is now the second time I have made them and you just can't go wrong! I thought I would post the link for the recipe here. If you make them, let me know how you like them!

Michael Jackson

"This is it" came out last Tuesday for the two week showing at all the theaters here in San Jose. Although I wasn't a super fan, I really wanted to see this just to see what he was like when he was just doing his thing. Plus, he was a terrific entertainer and I loved his songs. I was looking forward to seeing him dance and all.

Well, since our friends are here, we thought we would spend this afternoon out at the theater. We saw it and, being children of the 80's, all just LOVED it! I could watch it a few more times. The songs have been stuck in my head all evening and it just left me wishing for more.

Oh, MJ, you were very messed up mentally, but look at your past. You revolutionized the music industry and I will always love Thriller.

If you even remotely enjoyed his songs, you will enjoy this movie. I suggest you go see it on the big screen while you can!