A Gift That Keeps On Giving

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and give you all a story about Christmas and a little gift.l

My sister pulled a Christmas prank on Mom and it was hilarious! She presented my Mom with a box with air holes, a bag of dog food and a leash. My Mom , while liking animals, was appalled at the idea of owning a dog. Too much work for her at her age. We howled in laughter as we surmised it was a joke. It turned out to be a singing dog with an umbrella that sings, "Singing In the Rain". Of course Mom loved it, and it brings us smiles every time we think of it.

It is hard to know what to get some people for Christmas. So I am making my Godchildren who are off at college some Pizza kits. Pepperon, Cheese, Sauce and Homemade Dough.

What to get my best friend was another brain twister. So I decided that while she enjoys homemade and a gift with thought, I settled on the following and hope she will get a laugh. I am also making one up as a Secret Santa gift to watch how Mom avoids it! LOL

I hope that this might be something that you enjoy for yourselves or to pass to someone you love who enjoys baking.

While giving you the gift that keeps on giving, please remember to give back to the community and help others.

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My name is Hopper or you can change my name if you wish. Riesen, or Puffer would suffice, just don't call on me too late for dinner!  LOL

I am living and need air to breathe just like you. I also need to eat regularly. Feed me a minimum of once a week if you keep me in the refrigerator or once, even twice a day if left at room temperature, if you really love what I produce. As I grow and grow you will find me to be delightful in new ways. Pizza dough, bread, pretzels, bagels, fried cookies, doughnuts, crumpets, English muffins , rolls, hamburger and hot dog buns and more. There are lots of delicious recipes on line.

Just feed me ( 1:1:1 ratio) after you take some of me out to use. Feed what is left of  me , 1 part in water and 1 part in flour to 1 part of me. Mix me up and voila....tomorrow I may be in  French bread! No maintenance required for my home either.

The part taken is ready to go as is for crumpets by simply mixing in a wee bit of water and baking soda.(Tbsp and a sprinkle)  It will bubble and make holes while you heat up an oiled frying pan. Grease crumpet rings or just pour into the pan like a pancake, as i will be the same conistency. Leave on medium low heat for about 9 minutes until the bottom browns and the top is dry enough to flip over and very lightly brown for about 2 minutes without blocking the holes formed. Toast in the toaster and spread with butter, jam or honey. Leftover crumpets can be frozen.

You could enjoy crumpets most mornings, or keep my takings  separate with other takings in another jar in the fridge and make one big batch at once every week .  If you cannot use all of me, give to a friend or put in the compost pile or garbage.  ( I am hazardous for drains!)

To use the takings, use as you would yeast/sugar/water and add the remaining ingredients to make up your recipes.

Simple breads are generally flour, water, , salt and a bit of oil added to me. (or instant yeast preparation) Give your creations time to rise and punch down and then form to bake. Pizza dough is a little more moist , while Pretzels and Bagels are boiled. Start them early and they will rise to any occasion.

I am the gift that keeps on giving. I have been known to live for 30 years! Just keep me in a big enough jar to call my home, leave the top on loose  so i can breathe and remember to feed me accordingly! 

Enjoy your Starter Yeast,

Merry Christmas to All

Sharon