Of Basil & Wheat Bread Twists & Cat Condos

Basil and Wheat Bread Twists

Gene often jokes with our son that he married me for my bread baking!  He absolutely adores homemade bread, and he’s sure to be whistling a happy tune when he sees me putting some sort of yeast bread together for dinner.  This whole bread baking thing has sort of a symbiotic feel with us, as I love making it just as much.  Truth be told, it puts me in a good mood.  Baking bread is rewarding, satisfying, & gives me a sense of accomplishment.  I just love the whole nurturing process, it brings out the creative “Mom” in me!

Basil Wheat Bread Twists

Speaking of the desire to nurture…I’ve recently discovered a couple of feral cats passing through our backyard.  I can just barely hear them through my bedroom window.  At first, I thought maybe I was just hearing things, but when Mini’s ears perked up, & she jumped onto the window sill, I felt validated!  I’ve been outside several times, calling “here kitty-kitty” but no one answered.  Not one to give up, I put some kibble on top of the garden table.  Finally, we spotted a big gray, long-haired cat (kind of like Mini, only bigger).  A few minutes later, another cat joined the buffet, but we didn’t get a good look.  Gene took a flashlight & tried to peek under the storage shed, seeing only the outline of something that moved.  Hmmm…  Definitely some action outside, but clever & wild enough to keep in the shadows. No noise today, so perhaps they’ve moved on.  My sister, Joy has feral cats on her horse property.  It’s part of country living, I guess.  If there’s grain for the livestock, there’s mice, and where there’s mice…well, you get the idea.  For years, she’s done a sort of trap – get them spayed or neutered – then find them homes or release them.  She’s the ultimate good Samaritan when it comes to animals, she has such a soft heart.   I can’t even begin to tell you how many animals she’s found & nursed back to health.  She’s spent so many sleepless nights, setting the alarm clock throughout the overnight hours, to check on & feed baby animals with a bottle.  This year she purchased insulated ice chests, lined them with soft towels & other bedding, and cut holes in the sides.  Little cat condos for drifting visitors, that she placed under a shelter with a roof.

Joy’s Cat Condos

Joy’s Cat Condos

I wish people would take more precautions to spay & neuter their pets, it’s just the right thing to do.   A simple solution to a problem that otherwise gets out of control very quickly. Now then, back to the bread baking – shall we?

Basil & Wheat Bread Twists

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R

Ingredients:

1 cup water

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups flour

1 cup wheat flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 – 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

2 – 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Topping:

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons butter, melted

Brushed with butter, basil & Parmesan

Basil & Wheat Bread Twists

If you’re using a bread maker for mixing & rising, add the ingredients in the order they are listed.  Select the dough cycle, which will take about 90 minutes. If you’re not using a bread maker, dissolve yeast in warm water & let it sit for about 5 minutes.  In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients & about half of the flour, along with the water & yeast mixture.  Mix well, then turn out onto a board and knead in the remaining flour.  Continue kneading for about 6-8 minutes, then place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.  Cover with a plastic wrap or clean dish towel & allow the dough to rise until doubled, an hour or more. Punch down, & divide into 12 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 10″ to 12″ rope.  Bend each rope in half, then twist about three times & place on a greased baking sheet.  Cover with a clean cloth & allow the twists to rise for about 45 minutes.  Brush with the butter, basil &  Parmesan mixture & bake in a 350 F oven for about 15 minutes or until golden.

Basil & Wheat Bread Twists