Soup, Pão-de-queijo, Brownie and Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Cranberries and Flax Seeds

Oh me, oh my! Can one be sad and glad at the same time that the weekend is over? YES! And this some 'one' is ME. It was one busy but extremely joyous weekend filled with good moments. And by good moments I also mean good healthy food.

Let's start with the menu on Saturday: cheese soup, Brazilian cheese bread (pão-de-queijo), fruits and dessert. Even though this combination didn't really require advanced cooking skills or any specific ingredients, it was light and satisfying (Errr... I thing Adam would disagree with the last part... lol!).

Cheese soup and Brazilian cheese bread or Pão-de-queijo

1 package of cheese soup

All you need here is water (0.5 L) and milk (0.5 L). I always add black pepper to the soup when its ready. Wonderful aroma! One great idea is to sauté onion and cubes of ham or bacon and add to the soup when it is ready. It adds color and flavor... and sustenance too! (see picture 1)

Approx. 10 minutes - Serves 2-3  

1 package of cheese bread mix

Again, all you need here is 2 eggs and 1 cup of milk. Follow the instructions on the back of the package and bake them for approx. 30 min. Serve with butter (by far my favorite!), mayonese, tomato sauce or even jam (see picture 2). Grapes and strawberries are great to nibble on while at the table and add color to the ensemble (see picture 4).

Approx. 40 minutes - Serves 2

Weekends are also great because it's when I make dessert. This time I chose something equally easy. The Ghirardelly Ultimate Fudge Brownie mix is splendid!!! (Thinking of you, MOM!) But remember: do not open the oven before brownie has been in there for at least 30 minutes. That's why mine looks flat. But still DELECTABLE! (see picture 3)

And then, Sunday came! And there is nothing better than fresh baked bread on a cold Sunday afternoon... ok, maybe there is, but it is pretty good anyway! The last picture is a delicious homemade bread made with the help of one my best pals, my amazing and wonderful bread machine - I love you so much! (see picture 5)

Whole Wheat Bread with Cranberries and Flax Seeds

 Add the following ingredients in this order into your bread machine:

9 oz. lukewarm water

2 tbs canola oil

1 ts salt

2 ts almond essence

8 oz. white flour

8 oz. whole wheat flour

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup flax seeds

1 tbs set of honey

2 1/2 ts fast-action yeast (for bread machine)

1. Close your breadmachine and select dough.

2. Press start.

(Keep an eye on the dough. You might have to add some water (if the mix is too dry and wont form a ball) or white flour (if the dough is too smooshy and keeps sticking to the bucket walls).

3. Let is rest for the remaining time acording to the timer of your bread machine.

4. Set oven to 350 F.

After that you can play with the dough and shape it into whatever shape you want it (I will post some nice and easy shapes in the near future. I promise!!!) or put it in a bread tray. Whatever tray you use, coat it with oil or butter and flour.  

4. Bake it for approx. 30 min at 325-350 F.

You can play with this bread recipe as you wish. You can use dark rye flour, for example, instead of whole wheat. Try other dried fruit instead of cranberries, nuts or trail mix, even chocolate chips. Try also other essences such as banana, orange, lemon. And sesame seeds or poppy seeds instead of flax seeds.

Bom apetite!