Harry Potter Quiet Book

Hello.  My name is MommaH and I am a HP (Harry Potter) geek.

Yep.

I would love to live at Hogwarts.

I could teach...something.

I take various quizzes on HP stuff.  Here's one: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/youre-a-wizard-harry

I'm a half-blood.

My dogs are named Tonks and Teddy.  If you are a true HP fan, you'll get it.

I know it.

I can feel it.

I still cry when Dumbledoor/Dobby/Snape/Fred dies.  Every time.

Anyhow, a few years ago I made a Harry Potter Quiet Book.  Okay I made about 10.  Don't judge.  I like to sew.  I like to create.  I like little kids.  It was a fun experience.  

Because I sold or gave away the books I made, I took pictures of it.  I just found the pictures.  Since this blog is really just an easy way for me to find my favorite recipes and creations, I thought I would put them here.  I hope you enjoy them.  Maybe you'll even be inspired to make one of your own.

*spoiler alert*

I am making  2 or 3 quiet books for our church auction, church themed, and I will be posting pictures on a blog very soon.  I do this so I can  remember what the heck I did inspire others.

Buttermilk Bread

I'm still making our bread. Our favorite has been the oatmeal bread that you can find here. http://ahawker.blogspot.com/2012/10/oatmeal-bread.html Even PoppaH has been making this bread.

Until now.

Oatmeal bread got bumped.

Enter *cue music* Buttermilk Bread.

It all started when I had 3/4 of a quart of buttermilk in the fridge that I didn't want to throw away.  Don't judge me.

This bread has a great crust while keeping a super tender inside.  The wheat germ adds a great flavor (and probably some nutrition).

Lovely.

I didn't take pics of each step this time - I really wasn't sure how this would turn out.  Just refer to the wheat bread recipe for how to mix it up and let it rise.http://ahawker.blogspot.com/2013/06/whole-wheat-bread.html  I think I will do 3-4 cups of the flour whole wheat next time, it should hold up fine.  The dough is pretty sticky, but a sticky dough makes a moist and light bread.

Buttermilk Bread

makes 2 large loaves

2 Tablespoons yeast

3/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup honey

3 cups warmish buttermilk

3/4 cup melted butter

7-8 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup toasted wheat germ

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 Tablespoon salt

I a large bowl (I use the bowl of my stand mixer), add warm water, honey and yeast.  Proof the yeast until it is bubbly, about 5-10 minutes (it will depend on the temperature of your kitchen.)

To the yeast mixture, add buttermilk, butter, 7 cups of flour, salt, baking soda and wheat germ. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, adding the last cup of flour if needed.

Put the dough in a large, oiled bowl, turning it once so it is oily on each side.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double, about 1 hour.  Punch down and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Grease 2 9x5 loaf pans.

Punch dough down.  Turn the dough onto a floured surface.  Divide the dough into 2 parts.  Flatten the dough (this gets out the big bubbles) and shape into a loaf.  Place into prepared pans.  Cover and let rise until the dough rises about 1 inch above the pan, about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

When the loaves have risen, place the pans in the oven and bake the bread for 40-45 minutes.  It should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.