Cleaning house....

The painters arrived bright and early at 7:30 this morning to begin work on turning our bland white Victorian house into a "painted lady". Having actually got up early on a Saturday, I decided it was too good an opportunity to waste, so launched into cleaning mode. Several hours later, I have a sparkling clean kitchen and laundry room, and the rest of the house is at least vacuumed. What's more, the masterplan for the housepainting design is starting to take shape. It's certainly going to be bright!

On the menu tonight....

Tonight, we decided to simply grill sausages and serve them in buns with sauerkraut and mustard. However, as I want to get a headstart on tomorrow's dinner (when we have guests), I made garlic french bread.

Garlic French Bread

1 1/4 cup water
3 3/4 cup bread flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 c butter
1 tsp each, chopped garlic, dried oregano, dried basil
cornmeal
1 slightly beaten egg white
1 tbsp water

Place 1st four ingredients in bread maker in order suggested by manufacturer. Use the dough setting. When done, remove from pan and let rest 10 min, covered. Meanwhile, microwave butter in small bowl to melt it. Stir in oregano, basil and garlic. Spray large baking sheet with Pam and sprinkle cornmeal over it. Divide dough in two and roll each half into an 8 X 10 rectangle. Brush each rectangle with garlic butter, leaving 1/2 inch edge around three sides. Starting on buttered long edge, roll up jellyroll fashion. Pinch ends to seal. Place each roll on baking sheet. Combine egg white and 1 tbs water in small bowl. Brush egg mixture over top of rolls. Cover and let rise for 45 min. Bake at 375 F for 20 min. Remove and brush more egg mixture over loaves. Return to oven and bake 12 min longer. When done, the bread should sound hollow when tapped with your finger.