Solar Cooking
mNo edit summary
(22 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{GoogleTranslateLinks}}
{{Recipe header}}
 
  +
  +
 
{{Previous-Next|Snacks|Eggs & Cheese}}
 
{{Previous-Next|Snacks|Eggs & Cheese}}
 
{{Recipe TOC}}
 
{{Recipe TOC}}
Line 6: Line 8:
 
[[Image:Bread.jpg|left]]
 
[[Image:Bread.jpg|left]]
   
Use your favorite recipe, or frozen bread dough from the store. After dough has raised in a well-oiled dark pan with lid, put it into preheated solar oven and bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours, refocusing once during cooking period (if convenient). In general it is best to bake bread in a pan with a lid. This will stop condensation on the [[glazing]]. When crust is firm and golden brown, turn loaf out onto a rack to cool.
+
Use your favorite recipe, or frozen bread dough from the store. After dough has raised in a well-oiled dark pan with lid, put it into preheated solar oven and bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours, refocusing once during cooking period (if convenient). In general it is best to bake bread in a pan with a lid. This will prevent or cut back on condensation on the [[glazing]]. When crust is firm and golden brown, turn loaf out onto a rack to cool.
   
 
[[Image:Bread_browns.jpg|thumb|350px|Bread browns very easily in a solar cooker.]]
 
[[Image:Bread_browns.jpg|thumb|350px|Bread browns very easily in a solar cooker.]]
Milk and sugar or honey in bread dough aid in browning. Eggs in bread dough also aid browning and may help to prevent the bread from falling when oven temperatures are low.
+
Milk and sugar or honey in bread dough aid in browning. Eggs in bread dough also aid browning and may help to prevent the bread from falling when oven temperatures are low. To add egg to a bread recipe that does not call for eggs, break the egg(s) into the measuring cup before adding other liquid, then add the called-for liquid until you reach the measuring mark specified in your recipe. Whisk lightly with small whisk or fork and add to recipe as specified.
   
For better browning of the top crust and to lessen condensation in the oven, buy dark bread pans in matched sets and use one upside-down as a cover. Secure with binder clips.
+
For better browning of the top crust and to lessen condensation in the oven, buy dark bread pans in matched sets and use one upside-down as a cover. Secure with binder clips.
   
 
Yeast breads can do the final rise in the refrigerator, so you don't have to get up extraordinarily early to get bread into your solar oven early in the day. Just make your dough the night before and be sure the yeast is awake and lively when you form your loaf/loaves and get them into the pan(s). Put on lids, if you are using lids (or cover with oiled plastic wrap), and refrigerate immediately. The dough will rise most of the way before the yeast gets cold and goes to sleep. When you get up, take the pan(s) out to start warming up a bit while your solar oven is preheating. Put the loaf/loaves in the preheated oven once it reaches at least 225F (remove plastic wrap if used!), and proceed as usual.
 
Yeast breads can do the final rise in the refrigerator, so you don't have to get up extraordinarily early to get bread into your solar oven early in the day. Just make your dough the night before and be sure the yeast is awake and lively when you form your loaf/loaves and get them into the pan(s). Put on lids, if you are using lids (or cover with oiled plastic wrap), and refrigerate immediately. The dough will rise most of the way before the yeast gets cold and goes to sleep. When you get up, take the pan(s) out to start warming up a bit while your solar oven is preheating. Put the loaf/loaves in the preheated oven once it reaches at least 225F (remove plastic wrap if used!), and proceed as usual.
   
  +
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread </b></font>==
+
==<font size="4" face="Verdana" color="#ff9900"><b>Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread </b></font>==
 
[[Image:Orangebananabread.jpg|thumb|Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread]]
 
[[Image:Orangebananabread.jpg|thumb|Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread]]
This is moist and delicious. The sweetness inherent in the bananas are tempered by the orange juice and zest, so if you are usually overwhelmed by how sweet most banana bread tastes and want something a little less sweet and healthier, give this a try.
+
This is moist and delicious. The sweetness inherent in the bananas are tempered by the orange juice and zest, so if you are usually overwhelmed by how sweet most banana bread tastes and want something a little less sweet and healthier, give this a try.
   
1/2 cup room temperature butter (1 stick)<br>
+
1/2 cup room temperature butter (1 stick)<br />
1/2 cup white OR brown sugar <br>
+
1/2 cup white OR brown sugar<br />
2 eggs <br>
+
2 eggs<br />
2/3 cup orange juice <br>
+
2/3 cup orange juice<br />
1 teaspoon orange zest <br>
+
1 teaspoon orange zest<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla <br>
+
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1 1/2 cup smashed banana (3 medium)
+
1 1/2 cup smashed banana (3 medium)
   
1/2 teaspoon salt <br>
+
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder <br>
+
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda <br>
+
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon <br>
+
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1 cup all purpose flour <br>
+
1 cup all purpose flour<br />
1 cup whole wheat flour <br>
+
1 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1 cup quick cooking oats <br>
+
1 cup quick cooking oats<br />
   
 
Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix. Add the orange juice, crushed bananas, and orange zest. Mix well.
 
Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix. Add the orange juice, crushed bananas, and orange zest. Mix well.
Line 39: Line 42:
 
Mix the dry ingredients together and add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Pour in a large loaf pan or put in several smaller pans. Bake until the edges brown and the middle springs back under the touch.
 
Mix the dry ingredients together and add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Pour in a large loaf pan or put in several smaller pans. Bake until the edges brown and the middle springs back under the touch.
   
From: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com
+
From: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com
  +
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Pizza Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Pizza Bread</b></font>==
Line 45: Line 49:
 
This is an interesting bread that is moist and pretty healthy. I wanted pizza but didn't want to heat up the oven in the house so I decided to toss the pizza ingredients into a white bread dough. It turned out pretty good, and was easy to make.
 
This is an interesting bread that is moist and pretty healthy. I wanted pizza but didn't want to heat up the oven in the house so I decided to toss the pizza ingredients into a white bread dough. It turned out pretty good, and was easy to make.
   
1 cup warm water <br>
+
1 cup warm water<br />
1/3 cup tomato paste <br>
+
1/3 cup tomato paste<br />
<br>
+
<br />
 
Mix the tomato paste and the water in your bread mixing bowl. Add to the water and stir:
 
Mix the tomato paste and the water in your bread mixing bowl. Add to the water and stir:
<br>
+
<br />
1 tablespoon yeast <br>
+
1 tablespoon yeast<br />
1 tablespoon white sugar <br>
+
1 tablespoon white sugar<br />
2 teaspoons salt <br>
+
2 teaspoons salt<br />
1 cup finely chopped onions <br>
+
1 cup finely chopped onions<br />
1 cup finely chopped green, red, or yellow peppers <br>
+
1 cup finely chopped green, red, or yellow peppers<br />
3 oz chopped pepperoni <br>
+
3 oz chopped pepperoni<br />
1 teaspoon dried oregano <br>
+
1 teaspoon dried oregano<br />
1/2 teaspoon dried basil <br>
+
1/2 teaspoon dried basil<br />
1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic or 2 cloves crushed fresh garlic <br>
+
1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic or 2 cloves crushed fresh garlic<br />
<br>
+
<br />
Add a half cup at a time: <br>
+
Add a half cup at a time:<br />
<br>
+
<br />
4 cups (+/-) bread flour<br>
+
4 cups (+/-) bread flour<br />
<br>
+
<br />
Stir well and knead until the dough springs back under your touch.<br>
+
Stir well and knead until the dough springs back under your touch.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
Let it rise in a warm location until doubled. Punch down and roll into a rectangle as if you were making cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle 4 cups of shredded mozarella over the rectangle, and pinch the dough tightly together along the edges. <br>
+
Let it rise in a warm location until doubled. Punch down and roll into a rectangle as if you were making cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle 4 cups of shredded mozarella over the rectangle, and pinch the dough tightly together along the edges.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
Cut into 1 1/2" pieces, and put in a baking pan. Let rise a little bit (not fully), and place in oven. The rolls are done when the mozarella cheese starts to brown on top of the rolls. <br>
+
Cut into 1 1/2" pieces, and put in a baking pan. Let rise a little bit (not fully), and place in oven. The rolls are done when the mozarella cheese starts to brown on top of the rolls.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
This makes a big recipe. You can either cut the recipe in half or refrigerate half of it while the first half bakes. <br>
+
This makes a big recipe. You can either cut the recipe in half or refrigerate half of it while the first half bakes.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
You can add anything to it: diced olives, anchovies, cooked and crumbled sausage, romano or parmesan cheese.<br>
+
You can add anything to it: diced olives, anchovies, cooked and crumbled sausage, romano or parmesan cheese.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
Freeze if you don't eat it all at once. Like tomatoes, bread should never be refrigerated. It dries out in the refrigerator but not the freezer. <br>
+
Freeze if you don't eat it all at once. Like tomatoes, bread should never be refrigerated. It dries out in the refrigerator but not the freezer.<br />
<br>
+
<br />
  +
 
From http://www.HeavenSentFood.com.
   
From http://www.HeavenSentFood.com.
 
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Carrot, Zucchini & Pineapple Quick Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Carrot, Zucchini & Pineapple Quick Bread</b></font>==
   
Mix the dry ingredients:
+
Mix the dry ingredients:
   
1 cup of quick oatmeal (not instant)<br>
+
1 cup of quick oatmeal (not instant)<br />
1 cup of flour<br>
+
1 cup of flour<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br>
+
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br>
+
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br>
+
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<br>
+
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
1/2 teaspoon cloves<br>
+
1/2 teaspoon cloves<br />
3/4 teaspoon salt<br>
+
3/4 teaspoon salt<br />
   
 
Stir to make sure that the ingredients are combined. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl:
 
Stir to make sure that the ingredients are combined. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl:
   
1/2 cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)<br>
+
1/2 cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)<br />
 
2 eggs
 
2 eggs
   
 
Beat until the eggs are mixed with the oil. Add:
 
Beat until the eggs are mixed with the oil. Add:
   
1/3 cup pineapple juice (more if the dough seems too thick)<br>
+
1/3 cup pineapple juice (more if the dough seems too thick)<br />
1/2 cup well drained canned crushed pineapple<br>
+
1/2 cup well drained canned crushed pineapple<br />
1 cup shredded zucchini<br>
+
1 cup shredded zucchini<br />
1 cup shredded carrots<br>
+
1 cup shredded carrots<br />
   
Stir. Add
+
Stir. Add
   
1/2 cup brown sugar<br>
+
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br>
+
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
   
 
Stir.
 
Stir.
   
Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Put in an oiled pan, and bake until the center springs back under a light touch.
+
Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Put in an oiled pan, and bake until the center springs back under a light touch.
   
This is a sweet, rich quick bread suitable for snacking or breakfast. It warms easily in the morning to send the kids off to school with a healthy breakfast full of fruits and vegetables. If you do not eat it all at once, store it covered in the refrigerator.
+
This is a sweet, rich quick bread suitable for snacking or breakfast. It warms easily in the morning to send the kids off to school with a healthy breakfast full of fruits and vegetables. If you do not eat it all at once, store it covered in the refrigerator.
   
 
from: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com
 
from: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com
Line 119: Line 124:
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>One Big Fun Yogurt Muffin</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>One Big Fun Yogurt Muffin</b></font>==
   
Note: This recipe was designed for a 3-4 cup backpacker pot in an [[EZ-3 Solar Cooker]], but it should work in any cooker that can take such a pot. You can think of this as either a giant muffin or one small coffee cake. Either way it is moist and delicious! Perfect for singles, couples, or a kids' tea party.
+
Note: This recipe was designed for a 3-4 cup backpacker pot in an [[EZ-3 Solar Cooker]], but it should work in any cooker that can take such a pot. You can think of this as either a giant muffin or one small coffee cake. Either way it is moist and delicious! Perfect for singles, couples, or a kids' tea party.
   
 
1 cup biscuit or pancake mix
 
1 cup biscuit or pancake mix
Line 135: Line 140:
 
1/4 cup raisins or nuts or dried fruit bits (optional)
 
1/4 cup raisins or nuts or dried fruit bits (optional)
   
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and combine with dry ones. Stir in fruit or nuts if using. Put into greased small (3-4 cup) pot with dark lid. Cover and set to cook by late morning. Give it at least an hour before checking. When it is done, it will feel firm and springy in the middle. It may be more moist than a muffin in your oven and may not brown as much depending on sun conditions. If in doubt, leave it in a while longer. Your muffin will not burn in an EZ-3 or other simple solar cooker.
+
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and combine with dry ones. Stir in fruit or nuts if using. Put into greased small (3-4 cup) pot with dark lid. Cover and set to cook by late morning. Give it at least an hour before checking. When it is done, it will feel firm and springy in the middle. It may be more moist than a muffin in your oven and may not brown as much depending on sun conditions. If in doubt, leave it in a while longer. Your muffin will not burn in an EZ-3 or other simple solar cooker.
   
 
If you want to add seasonings, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or allspice or nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, or even some grated orange or lemon or lime peel, depending on what you think will go with your yogurt flavor.
 
If you want to add seasonings, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or allspice or nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, or even some grated orange or lemon or lime peel, depending on what you think will go with your yogurt flavor.
   
Do not try to bake a muffin on a marginal cooking day. Muffins need bright sun to cook. If you are using an EZ-3, use your booster panel.
+
Do not try to bake a muffin on a marginal cooking day. Muffins need bright sun to cook. If you are using an EZ-3, use your booster panel.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Zucchini Loaf</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Zucchini Loaf</b></font>==
Line 153: Line 158:
 
'''2 cups sugar'''
 
'''2 cups sugar'''
   
''Beat above ingredients until light. Add:''
+
''Beat above ingredients until light. Add:''
   
 
'''3 cups flour'''
 
'''3 cups flour'''
Line 167: Line 172:
 
'''Chopped nuts if desired'''
 
'''Chopped nuts if desired'''
   
Place in dark pan. Cover. Cook for 2 to 3 hours in a solar oven. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove from pan.
+
Place in dark pan. Cover. Cook for 2 to 3 hours in a solar oven. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove from pan.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Dutch Rye Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Dutch Rye Bread</b></font>==
Line 185: Line 190:
 
'''2 tablespoons oil'''
 
'''2 tablespoons oil'''
   
Mix all ingredients together. Cover and let stand overnight. Add more wheat flour if necessary in order to shape loaf. Roll loaf in wheat germ. Place loaf in loaf pan and place in a dark colored pan, cover, and cook in solar oven all day or all afternoon. When completely cooled, wrap in moist towel, waxed paper or plastic, and refrigerate for one or two days before serving with butter, cream cheese, to accompany soups, etc.
+
Mix all ingredients together. Cover and let stand overnight. Add more wheat flour if necessary in order to shape loaf. Roll loaf in wheat germ. Place loaf in loaf pan and place in a dark colored pan, cover, and cook in solar oven all day or all afternoon. When completely cooled, wrap in moist towel, waxed paper or plastic, and refrigerate for one or two days before serving with butter, cream cheese, to accompany soups, etc.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Beer Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Beer Bread</b></font>==
Line 197: Line 202:
 
'''cheese slices'''
 
'''cheese slices'''
   
Mix first three ingredients together and place in buttered black pan with lid. Place cheese slices on top. Cover. Cook in solar oven for 2 or 3 hours.
+
Mix first three ingredients together and place in buttered black pan with lid. Place cheese slices on top. Cover. Cook in solar oven for 2 or 3 hours.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Easy French Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Easy French Bread</b></font>==
Line 211: Line 216:
 
'''2 teaspoons salt'''
 
'''2 teaspoons salt'''
   
Dissolve yeast in one cup lukewarm water. Sift flour with sugar and salt into a large bowl. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add just enough of the second cup of water to hold dough together. Mix until dough is sticky. Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled. Butter or grease a round roaster and add dough to dark pan. Let rise another half hour. Cover. Bake in solar oven until golden brown, about 2 hours.
+
Dissolve yeast in one cup lukewarm water. Sift flour with sugar and salt into a large bowl. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add just enough of the second cup of water to hold dough together. Mix until dough is sticky. Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled. Butter or grease a round roaster and add dough to dark pan. Let rise another half hour. Cover. Bake in solar oven until golden brown, about 2 hours.
   
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Foolproof Whole Wheat Bread</b></font>==
+
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Foolproof Whole Wheat Bread</b></font>==
   
 
'''2 tablespoons dry yeast'''
 
'''2 tablespoons dry yeast'''
Line 229: Line 234:
 
'''2/3 cup honey or sugar'''
 
'''2/3 cup honey or sugar'''
   
Sprinkle yeast into 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Combine the remaining 4 1/2 cups hot water with 7 cups whole wheat flour in a large bowl. Add salt, oil and honey or sugar. Continue mixing until well blended. Add 1 cup flour to mixture. Add prepared yeast to mixture and blend thoroughly. Add 3 to 4 more cups of flour.
+
Sprinkle yeast into 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Combine the remaining 4 1/2 cups hot water with 7 cups whole wheat flour in a large bowl. Add salt, oil and honey or sugar. Continue mixing until well blended. Add 1 cup flour to mixture. Add prepared yeast to mixture and blend thoroughly. Add 3 to 4 more cups of flour.
   
Knead for 10 minutes or until there is a consistency like cookie dough. A stickier dough will result in moister bread.
+
Knead for 10 minutes or until there is a consistency like cookie dough. A stickier dough will result in moister bread.
   
Oil hands and divide dough into 4 parts. Mold into loaves on oiled counter. Place in oiled pans. Oil top of loaves if soft crust is desired.
+
Oil hands and divide dough into 4 parts. Mold into loaves on oiled counter. Place in oiled pans. Oil top of loaves if soft crust is desired.
   
 
Cover loaves with damp cloth and let rise 1/3 in bulk.
 
Cover loaves with damp cloth and let rise 1/3 in bulk.
   
Place loaf pans in dark pans with lids, or insert an empty loaf pan on top of each loaf of dough. Cover. Place in solar oven by 11 a.m. Cook 2 1/2 hours.
+
Place loaf pans in dark pans with lids, or insert an empty loaf pan on top of each loaf of dough. Cover. Place in solar oven by 11 a.m. Cook 2 1/2 hours.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Cornbread A La Sol</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Cornbread A La Sol</b></font>==
   
'''''Dry Ingredients:'''''
+
'''''Dry Ingredients:'''''[[File:P9060170.jpg|right|230px]]
   
'''1/2 cup corn meal'''
+
'''1/2 cup corn meal'''
   
'''1/2 cup corn flour'''
+
'''1/2 cup corn flour'''
   
'''1 cup white flour'''
+
'''1 cup white flour'''
   
 
'''2 tablespoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)'''
 
'''2 tablespoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)'''
   
'''3 tablespoons sugar'''
+
'''3 tablespoons sugar'''
   
 
'''pinch salt'''
 
'''pinch salt'''
Line 257: Line 262:
 
'''''Liquid Ingredients:'''''
 
'''''Liquid Ingredients:'''''
   
'''1 egg'''
+
'''1 egg'''
   
'''3 tablespoons oil'''
+
'''3 tablespoons oil'''
   
 
'''1 cup milk'''
 
'''1 cup milk'''
   
Blend the liquid ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into a 7 x 11 inch pan (preferably one with the underneath painted black). Bakes in about 1 to 2 hours. Consider it done when 'fault lines' appear to be running along the top.
+
Blend the liquid ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into a 7 x 11 inch pan (preferably one with the underneath painted black). Bakes in about 1 to 2 hours. Consider it done when 'fault lines' appear to be running along the top.
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Heather's Wheat Berry Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Heather's Wheat Berry Bread</b></font>==
Line 278: Line 283:
   
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Zero carbon footprint Spelt Bread</b></font>==
 
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Zero carbon footprint Spelt Bread</b></font>==
[[Image:Freshly baked spelt bread from a solar cooker.JPG | thumb | left | Freshly baked spelt bread]]
+
[[Image:Freshly baked spelt bread from a solar cooker.JPG | thumb | left | Freshly baked spelt bread]]
   
 
'''Ingredients:'''
 
'''Ingredients:'''
Line 294: Line 299:
   
   
Mix these ingredients well in a bowl. Make sure the all of the yeast dissolves in the water and none is left sticking to the sides of the bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes and watch for the bubbling action of the yeast spinging to life. Once you have confirmed that the yeast is activated, you are ready to add the flour.
+
Mix these ingredients well in a bowl. Make sure the all of the yeast dissolves in the water and none is left sticking to the sides of the bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes and watch for the bubbling action of the yeast spinging to life. Once you have confirmed that the yeast is activated, you are ready to add the flour.
   
 
[[Image:Spelt bread dough ready for solar cooking.JPG | thumb | right |Spelt dough ready for solar cooking]]
 
[[Image:Spelt bread dough ready for solar cooking.JPG | thumb | right |Spelt dough ready for solar cooking]]
Line 300: Line 305:
 
'''Add:'''
 
'''Add:'''
   
''' 4 Cups of all purpose flour'''
+
'''4 Cups of all purpose flour'''
   
''' 1 cup of spelt flour'''
+
'''1 cup of spelt flour'''
   
Mix well and add either spelt flour or all purpose flour, if necessary, until the dough is dry enough to stick to itself and not to the wall of the bowl. Knead for about 10 minutes. Take a golfball size piece of dough and pull it apart with your hands. When the dough can be stretched thin, the dough has been kneaded long enough.
+
Mix well and add either spelt flour or all purpose flour, if necessary, until the dough is dry enough to stick to itself and not to the wall of the bowl. Knead for about 10 minutes. Take a golfball size piece of dough and pull it apart with your hands. When the dough can be stretched thin, the dough has been kneaded long enough.
Cover the bowl and place in a warm place. I like to use a slightly larger pot with some solar warmed water in it and place the bowl with dough in it in the water. Then put a lid on the larger pot. The water holds it's heat well and is evenly distibuted and keeps the surface of the dough moist. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and shape the
+
Cover the bowl and place in a warm place. I like to use a slightly larger pot with some solar warmed water in it and place the bowl with dough in it in the water. Then put a lid on the larger pot. The water holds it's heat well and is evenly distibuted and keeps the surface of the dough moist. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and shape the
   
 
[[Image:Scrap titanium and leftover mirror sheets.JPG | thumb | left | [[Mike Pool]]'s solar oven made mostly of the leftover scraps from other people's projects]]
 
[[Image:Scrap titanium and leftover mirror sheets.JPG | thumb | left | [[Mike Pool]]'s solar oven made mostly of the leftover scraps from other people's projects]]
 
[[Image:Spelt bread cooking in a solar oven.JPG | thumb | right | Spelt bread cooked in a solar cooker ]]
 
[[Image:Spelt bread cooking in a solar oven.JPG | thumb | right | Spelt bread cooked in a solar cooker ]]
   
dough so that it fits in your bread pan. On a bright, sunny day, with the sun at least 45 degrees above the horizon, place your dark colored bread pan and dough in a solar oven that has reflectors. You should have loaf of bread in about 2 hours.
+
dough so that it fits in your bread pan. On a bright, sunny day, with the sun at least 45 degrees above the horizon, place your dark colored bread pan and dough in a solar oven that has reflectors. You should have loaf of bread in about 2 hours.
The aroma of the bread fills the air on the down wind side of the cooker. Funny, you may not want to stand on the down wind side when cooking with a wood fire, but you do when cooking bread in a clean cooking solar oven.
+
The aroma of the bread fills the air on the down wind side of the cooker. Funny, you may not want to stand on the down wind side when cooking with a wood fire, but you do when cooking bread in a clean cooking solar oven.
 
 
   
  +
==<font face="Verdana" size="4" color="#FF9900"><b>Fruit bread</b></font>==
  +
{{Main|Fruit bread}}
   
   
Line 320: Line 325:
 
{{Previous-Next|Snacks|Eggs & Cheese}}
 
{{Previous-Next|Snacks|Eggs & Cheese}}
 
[[Category:Recipes]]
 
[[Category:Recipes]]
  +
[[Category:Foods]]

Revision as of 18:19, 25 September 2013

Searchbox


Next: Eggs & Cheese Right


Helpful Hints

Bread

Use your favorite recipe, or frozen bread dough from the store. After dough has raised in a well-oiled dark pan with lid, put it into preheated solar oven and bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours, refocusing once during cooking period (if convenient). In general it is best to bake bread in a pan with a lid. This will prevent or cut back on condensation on the glazing. When crust is firm and golden brown, turn loaf out onto a rack to cool.

Bread browns

Bread browns very easily in a solar cooker.

Milk and sugar or honey in bread dough aid in browning. Eggs in bread dough also aid browning and may help to prevent the bread from falling when oven temperatures are low. To add egg to a bread recipe that does not call for eggs, break the egg(s) into the measuring cup before adding other liquid, then add the called-for liquid until you reach the measuring mark specified in your recipe. Whisk lightly with small whisk or fork and add to recipe as specified.

For better browning of the top crust and to lessen condensation in the oven, buy dark bread pans in matched sets and use one upside-down as a cover. Secure with binder clips.

Yeast breads can do the final rise in the refrigerator, so you don't have to get up extraordinarily early to get bread into your solar oven early in the day. Just make your dough the night before and be sure the yeast is awake and lively when you form your loaf/loaves and get them into the pan(s). Put on lids, if you are using lids (or cover with oiled plastic wrap), and refrigerate immediately. The dough will rise most of the way before the yeast gets cold and goes to sleep. When you get up, take the pan(s) out to start warming up a bit while your solar oven is preheating. Put the loaf/loaves in the preheated oven once it reaches at least 225F (remove plastic wrap if used!), and proceed as usual.


Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread

Orangebananabread

Orange Banana Oatmeal Bread

This is moist and delicious. The sweetness inherent in the bananas are tempered by the orange juice and zest, so if you are usually overwhelmed by how sweet most banana bread tastes and want something a little less sweet and healthier, give this a try.

1/2 cup room temperature butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup white OR brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup smashed banana (3 medium)

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick cooking oats

Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix. Add the orange juice, crushed bananas, and orange zest. Mix well.

Mix the dry ingredients together and add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Pour in a large loaf pan or put in several smaller pans. Bake until the edges brown and the middle springs back under the touch.

From: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com


Pizza Bread

Pizza rolls

Pizza Bread

This is an interesting bread that is moist and pretty healthy. I wanted pizza but didn't want to heat up the oven in the house so I decided to toss the pizza ingredients into a white bread dough. It turned out pretty good, and was easy to make.

1 cup warm water
1/3 cup tomato paste

Mix the tomato paste and the water in your bread mixing bowl. Add to the water and stir:
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped green, red, or yellow peppers
3 oz chopped pepperoni
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic or 2 cloves crushed fresh garlic

Add a half cup at a time:

4 cups (+/-) bread flour

Stir well and knead until the dough springs back under your touch.

Let it rise in a warm location until doubled. Punch down and roll into a rectangle as if you were making cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle 4 cups of shredded mozarella over the rectangle, and pinch the dough tightly together along the edges.

Cut into 1 1/2" pieces, and put in a baking pan. Let rise a little bit (not fully), and place in oven. The rolls are done when the mozarella cheese starts to brown on top of the rolls.

This makes a big recipe. You can either cut the recipe in half or refrigerate half of it while the first half bakes.

You can add anything to it: diced olives, anchovies, cooked and crumbled sausage, romano or parmesan cheese.

Freeze if you don't eat it all at once. Like tomatoes, bread should never be refrigerated. It dries out in the refrigerator but not the freezer.

From http://www.HeavenSentFood.com.


Carrot, Zucchini & Pineapple Quick Bread

Mix the dry ingredients:

1 cup of quick oatmeal (not instant)
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt

Stir to make sure that the ingredients are combined. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl:

1/2 cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)
2 eggs

Beat until the eggs are mixed with the oil. Add:

1/3 cup pineapple juice (more if the dough seems too thick)
1/2 cup well drained canned crushed pineapple
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded carrots

Stir. Add

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir.

Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Put in an oiled pan, and bake until the center springs back under a light touch.

This is a sweet, rich quick bread suitable for snacking or breakfast. It warms easily in the morning to send the kids off to school with a healthy breakfast full of fruits and vegetables. If you do not eat it all at once, store it covered in the refrigerator.

from: http://www.HeavenSentFood.com

One Big Fun Yogurt Muffin

Note: This recipe was designed for a 3-4 cup backpacker pot in an EZ-3 Solar Cooker, but it should work in any cooker that can take such a pot. You can think of this as either a giant muffin or one small coffee cake. Either way it is moist and delicious! Perfect for singles, couples, or a kids' tea party.

1 cup biscuit or pancake mix

2 tablespoons sugar or brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg, beaten

6 ounces yogurt, any flavor

2 tablespoons melted butter or canola oil

1/4 cup raisins or nuts or dried fruit bits (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and combine with dry ones. Stir in fruit or nuts if using. Put into greased small (3-4 cup) pot with dark lid. Cover and set to cook by late morning. Give it at least an hour before checking. When it is done, it will feel firm and springy in the middle. It may be more moist than a muffin in your oven and may not brown as much depending on sun conditions. If in doubt, leave it in a while longer. Your muffin will not burn in an EZ-3 or other simple solar cooker.

If you want to add seasonings, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or allspice or nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, or even some grated orange or lemon or lime peel, depending on what you think will go with your yogurt flavor.

Do not try to bake a muffin on a marginal cooking day. Muffins need bright sun to cook. If you are using an EZ-3, use your booster panel.

Zucchini Loaf

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup oil

2 cups grated zucchini

2 cups sugar

Beat above ingredients until light. Add:

3 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Chopped nuts if desired

Place in dark pan. Cover. Cook for 2 to 3 hours in a solar oven. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove from pan.

Dutch Rye Bread

4 cups rye meal

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons molasses

3 to 3 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup cracked wheat

1 tablespoon kelp powder

2 tablespoons oil

Mix all ingredients together. Cover and let stand overnight. Add more wheat flour if necessary in order to shape loaf. Roll loaf in wheat germ. Place loaf in loaf pan and place in a dark colored pan, cover, and cook in solar oven all day or all afternoon. When completely cooled, wrap in moist towel, waxed paper or plastic, and refrigerate for one or two days before serving with butter, cream cheese, to accompany soups, etc.

Beer Bread

3 cups self-rising flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 12-oz. can of beer, at room temperature

cheese slices

Mix first three ingredients together and place in buttered black pan with lid. Place cheese slices on top. Cover. Cook in solar oven for 2 or 3 hours.

Easy French Bread

1 package yeast

2 cups water

4 1/2 cups white flour

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons salt

Dissolve yeast in one cup lukewarm water. Sift flour with sugar and salt into a large bowl. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add just enough of the second cup of water to hold dough together. Mix until dough is sticky. Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled. Butter or grease a round roaster and add dough to dark pan. Let rise another half hour. Cover. Bake in solar oven until golden brown, about 2 hours.

Foolproof Whole Wheat Bread

2 tablespoons dry yeast

5 cups hot water

2/3 cup oil

12 cups whole wheat flour (or 7 cups whole wheat flour & 5 cups white flour)

1/2 cup warm water

2 tablespoons salt

2/3 cup honey or sugar

Sprinkle yeast into 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Combine the remaining 4 1/2 cups hot water with 7 cups whole wheat flour in a large bowl. Add salt, oil and honey or sugar. Continue mixing until well blended. Add 1 cup flour to mixture. Add prepared yeast to mixture and blend thoroughly. Add 3 to 4 more cups of flour.

Knead for 10 minutes or until there is a consistency like cookie dough. A stickier dough will result in moister bread.

Oil hands and divide dough into 4 parts. Mold into loaves on oiled counter. Place in oiled pans. Oil top of loaves if soft crust is desired.

Cover loaves with damp cloth and let rise 1/3 in bulk.

Place loaf pans in dark pans with lids, or insert an empty loaf pan on top of each loaf of dough. Cover. Place in solar oven by 11 a.m. Cook 2 1/2 hours.

Cornbread A La Sol

Dry Ingredients:

P9060170

1/2 cup corn meal

1/2 cup corn flour

1 cup white flour

2 tablespoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)

3 tablespoons sugar

pinch salt

Liquid Ingredients:

1 egg

3 tablespoons oil

1 cup milk

Blend the liquid ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into a 7 x 11 inch pan (preferably one with the underneath painted black). Bakes in about 1 to 2 hours. Consider it done when 'fault lines' appear to be running along the top.

Heather's Wheat Berry Bread

2 cups wheat berries

Flour for dusting

Water for sprouting

Sprout the wheat berries for a day. Rinse the sprouts and grind them to a paste. Lighly dust the inner container of a box solar oven with the flour. Shape the ground sprouts into a mound and place in the inner container. Let the bread bake in the solar cooker for the day.

Comments: I made this bread in a solar on the roof of a building in Allahabad, India. The recipe worked well in the winter and summer, but not during the monsoon. The bread is similar to "manna bread" available in the US. It is sticky, moist, and sweet. Additions such as raisins or dates could be nice.

Zero carbon footprint Spelt Bread

Freshly baked spelt bread from a solar cooker

Freshly baked spelt bread

Ingredients:

1 package of dry yeast

4 tablespoons of honey

4 tablespoons of olive oil

1 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of solar warmed water 50 C. (125 F.)


Mix these ingredients well in a bowl. Make sure the all of the yeast dissolves in the water and none is left sticking to the sides of the bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes and watch for the bubbling action of the yeast spinging to life. Once you have confirmed that the yeast is activated, you are ready to add the flour.

Spelt bread dough ready for solar cooking

Spelt dough ready for solar cooking

Add:

4 Cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of spelt flour

Mix well and add either spelt flour or all purpose flour, if necessary, until the dough is dry enough to stick to itself and not to the wall of the bowl. Knead for about 10 minutes. Take a golfball size piece of dough and pull it apart with your hands. When the dough can be stretched thin, the dough has been kneaded long enough. Cover the bowl and place in a warm place. I like to use a slightly larger pot with some solar warmed water in it and place the bowl with dough in it in the water. Then put a lid on the larger pot. The water holds it's heat well and is evenly distibuted and keeps the surface of the dough moist. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and shape the

Scrap titanium and leftover mirror sheets

Mike Pool's solar oven made mostly of the leftover scraps from other people's projects

Spelt bread cooking in a solar oven

Spelt bread cooked in a solar cooker

dough so that it fits in your bread pan. On a bright, sunny day, with the sun at least 45 degrees above the horizon, place your dark colored bread pan and dough in a solar oven that has reflectors. You should have loaf of bread in about 2 hours. The aroma of the bread fills the air on the down wind side of the cooker. Funny, you may not want to stand on the down wind side when cooking with a wood fire, but you do when cooking bread in a clean cooking solar oven.

Fruit bread

Main article: Fruit bread



Next: Eggs & Cheese Right