Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Makes 8 buns
219 calories per bun

These buns are awesome! They have a great flavor and are a new favorite. They freeze great as well. 

Ingredients: 

1 tablespoon active-dry yeast

1/2 cup  warm water1/2 cup milk 1 large egg2 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups  all-purpose flour 
1.5 cups whole wheat flour

In the bowl of your Kitchen Aid,  stir the yeast into the warm water and let it sit until dissolved about 10 minutes. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, oil, sugar, and salt. Add this to the yeast mixture and mix until combined. Add all the flour and stir until it forms sticky dough. Knead on the mixers low speed for 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and feel slightly tacky. 

Place dough in a greased bowl, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about one hour. If I am short on time I will sometimes turn the oven on to as low as it will go, let it heat up for 5-10 minutes, turn it off, and then place the bowl with the dough in the oven to rise. This will take about 30 minutes off of the time to rise. Be careful though, because if the oven is too hot it will kill the yeast. 

Next, divide the dough into 8 pieces, shaping into balls. Transfer the balls to a baking sheet and let rise until they look hamburger sized, about 30 to 40 minutes. 

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F.

Bake the buns 15-18 minutes.

Let the buns cool to room temperature before slicing and using. They are best if eaten within the next day or two.

To freeze the buns, wrap each individually in plastic wrap and then a layer of tin foil, placing in a ziplock bag. To unthaw the buns, remove from freezer for one hour then reheat in a 350 oven for 5 minutes.

Connor's Meatloaf

Servings: 2
I normally don't like meatloaf, but I really this version that Connor created.

Ingredients:

Loafs:
1/3 cup crushed croutons or breadcrumbs (I like to use the croutons that come in the big bag from Costco)
2 tablespoons milk
2 shakes parsley
1.5 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
3/4 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 pound of hamburger

Glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 packed tablespoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 425, making sure the oven rack is placed in the middle of the oven.
2. Mix crouton crumbs, milk, parsley, worcestershire sauce, mustard, onion power, garlic powder, salt and pepper together.
3. Mix in ground beef until uniform with hands, mixing throughly.
4. Shape into patties.
5. Heat small amount of oil in pan until rippling, brown patties on both sides (3-5 minutes total).
6. Mix glaze ingredients together until smooth.
7. Place loafs in pan and cover with glaze.
8. Make 18-20 minutes until center of loaf reaching 160 degrees.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes 

3 1/2 lbs. Hamburger 

1/2 c. chopped onions 

2 cups celery (optional)

2 cups carrots (optional)

1/3 cup vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar 

1 TB dry mustard 

1 TB salt 

1/2 cup water 

2 1/2 cup ketchup 

Grandma's Spaghetti

Grandma's Spaghetti 

1 lb Ground Beef                                         1 tsp. dried oregano 

1 c. Chopped onion                                     1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1/2 c. pepper (opt)                                        1/8 tsp. pepper                   

1 clove garlic                                                1 bay leaf 

1 qt tomato juice & 2 T cornstarch 
  or 3 cans of tomato sauce

1tblsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt 

Brown the meat add the onion, pepper, and garlic 

Add Remaining ingredients simmer 30 minutes. Uncover and cook until thick