This week was week two of "Advent Suntac" (german tradition passed down from Dad, we were so stoked when Elder Uchdorf talked about doing it as a kid during the
First Presidency Christmas Devotional). Our friends joined us for dinner, stories, and cookies, and Brigham, their son, brought us a cranberry garland personally strung. Thanks, Brigham! You are so thoughtful!
We also did homemade pretzles, and I'm happy to announce that the Baking Illustrated recipe was soooo good. I much preferred to the Martha one we tried earlier. (I posted the recipe
here and also in the comments of this post).
We have somehow not been to Apple Hill since moving here. How much we've missed! Saturday it was dreary and foggy but we thought we'd go anyway. I felt like I'd passed to a different demention when we ascended out of the valley to find a gorgeous sunny day at Apple Hill. And to think we could have spent the whole day in dreary weather, never knowing we could be lounging on a sunny hillside watching Danny almost fall into a pond several times. As we were enjoying our apple fritters and barbeque, we found David and Julie and their girls (Brent's cousin and family). Out of dozens of farms they'd landed at the same one as us, three tables away. It was really fun to get caught up.
A highlight was a game of hide-and-go seek among the cut-your-own Christmas trees. It was Kate's idea, and such fun.
Who can argue with an apple cider milkshake?
We also did homemade pretzles, and I'm happy to announce that the Baking Illustrated recipe was soooo good. I much preferred to the Martha one we tried earlier. (I posted the recipe here and also in the comments of this post).
We have somehow not been to Apple Hill since moving here. How much we've missed! Saturday it was dreary and foggy but we thought we'd go anyway. I felt like I'd passed to a different demention when we ascended out of the valley to find a gorgeous sunny day at Apple Hill. And to think we could have spent the whole day in dreary weather, never knowing we could be lounging on a sunny hillside watching Danny almost fall into a pond several times. As we were enjoying our apple fritters and barbeque, we found David and Julie and their girls (Brent's cousin and family). Out of dozens of farms they'd landed at the same one as us, three tables away. It was really fun to get caught up.
A highlight was a game of hide-and-go seek among the cut-your-own Christmas trees. It was Kate's idea, and such fun.
Who can argue with an apple cider milkshake?
ok, i seriously love danny's mischievous face in the hide and seek pic! adorable! glad you had fun in apple hill! now we all know where to go when it's dreary here! =)
ReplyDeletePlease post the preztel recipie. They look so good!
ReplyDeleteWe love apple hill! It is one of our favorite places this time of year.
ReplyDeleteHi girls! I can't beleive I didn't get to apple hill sooner. I need to hear about your favorite spots!
ReplyDeleteShandis, here's the recipe--it's sooo good.
Awesome Soft Pretzels (from Baking Illustrated)
makes 12
note: a 12-inch skillet is best for blanching pretzels, but a wide pot or Dutch oven may also do. The pretzels are best eaten the day they are baked. Serve them at room temperature or reheat in a 250 oven.
1 tsp instant yeast
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp salt
3 cups (16.5 oz) bread flour
1 cup warm water
3 Tbsp baking soda
2 Tbsp coarse salt
Mix together yeast, honey , salt, flour, and water in the bowl of a standing mixer. Using the dough hook, kneed until a smooth elastic ball of stiff dough forms, 5-7 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let rise until double, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Deflate and let rise until nearly double again, 30-40 minutes.
Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to middle and preheat to 450. Pour 6 cups water in to a 12-inch skillet, add baking soda, stir, cover, and bring to a boil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray generously with cooking spray.
Divide dough into 12 pieces, about 2 oz each. Roll each piece in to a 20-inch rope. Shape into pretzel and put on sheet.
Gently place a few pretzels at a time in boiling water. Boil for 30 seconds, flip, and boil 30 seconds more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake for 12 to 16 minutes, or until the pretzels are well-browned, turning the baking sheet half way through. Remove pretzels to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.