bread: traditional tuscan loaf

I want to try this so bad. I love, love, LOVE making bread, and the more rustic, the better as far as I'm concerned. And there's more bread recipes here.

Traditional Tuscan Loaf
2 cups lukewarm water
3 1/4 cup organic all-purpose flour
1 cup organic whole wheat flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. Using the dough hook tool on a large mixing bowl (you could also do this by hand) combine water, 3/4 cup organic all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, and 1 package dry yeast for 1 minute.

2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours. The dough will ferment into a bubbly, doughy mixture.

3. Slowly add the remainder of the flour and the olive oil gradually until the dough forms. The dough will be a bit sticky and pretty elastic. This should take about 15 minutes.

4. Coat a large bowl with olive oil and add the dough ball, turning so that the dough is lightly coated with olive oil. Allow to rise for about 2 hours, until it's doubled in size.

5. Punch down the dough and shape into a round loaf by working in a downward movement underneath the bread.

6. Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet and lightly cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in an oven that's turned off for about 1 1/2 hours.

7. Score the bread in a hatching manner.

8. Place a baking sheet onto the bottom rack of the oven.

9. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

10. Place the greased baking sheet holding the dough onto the middle oven rack and fill the empty baking sheet with a cup of very hot water.

11. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown.

12. Allow to cool completely on a rack.

Recipe: The Joy of Cooking

news: more from planet green

Apparently, turmeric can kill cancer cells in the gullet in under 24 hours, which means there's more reason than ever to eat curry. And other turmeric things. And I think you can buy the whole root as an Asian medicine and make tea from it... I think. It was a while ago that I was reading up on intestinal things, and I may be remembering wrong.

Anyway, here's another lovely-sounding recipe, from Akasha Richmond:

Turmeric Seared Pears with Arugula with Goat Cheese, Goji Berries & Pine Nuts

A recipe from Chef Akasha Richmond

Tue Nov 11, 2008 09:45 AM ET

Planet Green

READ MORE ABOUT:
Cooking | Salad Recipes | Vegetable Recipes |Vegetables

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the salad:
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
2 small-medium Bosc pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons wildflower honey
4 ounces arugula, washed and dried
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
4 teaspoons goji berries
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For the vinaigrette:
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons wildflower honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Method:
Heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

When the butter is melted and sizzling, add the turmeric, let sizzle for 5-10 seconds, (turmeric should darken), then add the honey.

Add the pear slices in a single layer, season with a pinch of salt, and cook turning once, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the pears to a plate.

Make the vinaigrette by combining the vinegar, honey, and salt. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, season with freshly ground black pepper.

Toss the mache with some of the vinaigrette and the goat cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the pears, pine nuts, and goji berries.

news: planet green wants to make sure we get all our vitamin d

And it offers this delicious-sounding smoothie recipe:

Stress Reducing Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
2 organic bananas
1 tbsp organic creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp local raw honey
6 oz organic vanilla soy milk
4 cubes ice

Blend until smooth and combined. Enjoy.