Interesting things are brewing

Image by .brioso. via Flickr

 A couple of interesting things are in the works here.One of which we will benefit directly from and another is an opportunity to see something neat.
  Last fall when I bought apples from Fruits of our Neighbors Nat and I talked about a trade at some point,some of our bacon for some of his hard apple cider.The cider is ready and the trade is in place.Tomorrow we are swapping samples! Then next week when the bacon is ready we will do the full swap.7 bottles of cider for 5 pounds of bacon.Some good eating and times are head.
   A couple of days ago our neighbor stopped by to let us know that he would have his churches big canning machine for the morning on Saturday(tomorrow) ,he invited us to use it if we liked. This machine uses big 5 pound cans to process whatever it is you want to can.Some of the things he mentioned were,flour,seeds,beans or any other goods one would want to store safely away.Although Chance and I do not A. have the cans or B.have anything we would want to store this way, we are hoping to stop by and check this machine out.I am hoping I can take a few photos of the whole thing to share with all of you. Part of me wishes we were not missing out on the use of the machine but then again it's not quiet what we are doing.The offer is kind and we are glad he thought of us.
  It is Friday! And I have this feeling in my gut that by afternoon my house may become full with extra bodies,most likely of the teenager size.So I called Chance and asked him for a request for a treat,he chose my Sticky Cinnamon Rolls. This is good suggestion, I can do a double batch easily and no one can say no to them. I could make a bet with Chance about how long the rolls will last if the house fills up,I could be owed some sort of riches by bed time tonight.These do not have frosting on their tops but rather have a sticky caramel type goo and how much spice they have can be left up to the baker.I sometimes add in raisins or nuts to the filling.Today I am opting for just gooey yum.  Now that I may have your attention here is my recipe.


Sticky Cinnamon Rolls:

Dough -
   4 1/2 teaspoons yeast
   1/4 Cup Sugar
   1/4 Cup lukewarm Water
   2 eggs
   2 Cups lukewarm milk
   3 teaspoons Salt
   6-6 1/2 Cups Flour  plus some for kneading
   1/4 Cup Oil

Soften the yeast and sugar with the lukewarm water,Beat the eggs,add the milk add the yeast-sugar mixture,salt,half the flour,then mix thoroughly.Add the oil and beat well.Add the rest of the flour or enough to make a soft dough.Turn out on to a well flour surface to knead or knead using a stand mixer,until smooth and elastic but no longer sticking to the bowl or surface. ( this dough is SUPER soft and sticky, when I do not use my mixer to knead it I am sure to oil my hands to prevent the dough from sticking.You will need some extra flour to get the dough to not stick.) Place in a well oiled bowl.Oil the top of the dough to keep it from drying out.Cover with a towel and let rise until double in bulk.Knead down then let it rise for another 45 minutes.
  At this point you can use the dough for rolls baking them at 425 for 15-20 minutes or continue on for Sticky Cinnamon Rolls.

The above dough will make a double batch of the rolls. I rarely bother with a single batch because they are so good.A single/half batch of dough will make around one 9x13 sized pan of Sticky Rolls.The recipe below for the syrup is for a  doubled batch of dough.But first you need to make the rolls.

Roll dough about 1/2 inch thick.Brush rolled dough with some melted butter,sprinkle with a generous amount of brown sugar and cinnamon which you have mixed together.Usually 1 Cup of Brown Sugar and 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon,adjust to taste.Roll the dough carefully beginning at the wide side and working away from you.Seal the dough bt pinching the edges together. Cut roll into 1 inch slices.Cover the bottom of a oiled pan with the cooled syrup,add cut slices,cut side down in pan.Do not crowd or the middles will pop up.Bake in a preheated oven at 375 F for 20-25 minutes.Remove from oven and let them stand for 5 minutes to give the syrup time to thicken. Now place a cookie sheet or preferably a jelly roll pan on top of the pan and flip the pan of rolls over.Voila!

Syrup for Rolls-
  2 Cups brown sugar
  1/2 Cup butter
  4 Tablespoons corn syrup or honey 
 1/2 Cup water
 Cook until sugar has completely dissolved,stir most of the time. Cool before placing rolls in the syrup.
  For those of you who like nuts you can pour the syrup into your baking pan and then sprinkle chopped nuts over the syrup before placing the rolls.

Enjoy your days everyone, I am  off to roll out my dough.
  Rois