Read Online The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever by Susie Cushner - Free Book Online

dry yeast
    1 cup milk, scalded and cooled
    1 / 4 cup sugar
    4 tablespoons butter, softened
    1 teaspoon salt
    2 large eggs, lightly beaten
    1 cup golden raisins
    2 3 / 4 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

    •••••
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the milk, sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and raisins.
Add the flour a little at a time, beating with an electric mixer until the dough is about the same consistency as cookie dough.
Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1 / 2 hours.
Butter a 2 1 / 2 - to 3-quart casserole. Stir the dough down and turn into the casserole. Cover and let rise until puffy, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean and dry.

WHOLE-WHEAT RAISIN CASSEROLE BREAD
    The combined flavors of honey, raisins, and whole wheat make this an all-time favorite for kids as well as adults.
SERVES 12
    •••••

    1 cup milk
    1 / 2 cup (1 stick) butter
    1 / 2 cup honey
    2 teaspoons salt
    1 cup warm water (105 to 115°F)
    2 packages ( 1 / 4 ounce each) active dry yeast
    1 1 / 2 cups whole-wheat flour
    1 cup light or dark raisins
    1 cup chopped walnuts
    4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour

    •••••
Pour the milk into a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat until scalded (about 200°F). Remove from the heat and add the butter, honey, and salt. Let stand until the butter is melted and the mixture is cooled to lukewarm.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the warm water and dry yeast; stir and let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast foams.
Stir the cooled milk mixture, whole-wheat flour, raisins, walnuts, and 1 cup of the flour into the yeast mixture. With an electric mixer, beat at high speed for 2 minutes.
With a wooden spoon, beat in the remaining 3 cups flour, a cupful at a time, moistening all of the flour to make a sticky, soft dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
With cooking spray, coat one 3-quart casserole or two 1 1 / 2 -quart casseroles, preferably with straight sides. Put the dough in the casserole(s), cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise again for 1 hour until almost doubled.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 1 hour for the large casserole or 45 minutes for the smaller ones. Remove from the oven, turn the loaves out of baking pans, and cool on racks.

ROSEMARY AND PARMESAN CASSEROLE BREAD
    Bake this in a shallow casserole, and you will end up with something that looks and tastes like classic focaccia!
SERVES 12
    •••••

    2 packages ( ounce each) active dry yeast
    1 / 2 cup warm water (105 to 115°F)
    1 cup creamed cottage cheese, warmed
    2 tablespoons sugar
    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus extra for the dish
    2 teaspoons dried rosemary leaves, crushed
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 large egg
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

    •••••
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add the warmed cottage cheese, sugar, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the rosemary, salt, and egg. Add the flour and beat well to make a stiff dough.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Brush a 9-by-13-inch shallow baking dish or pan with olive oil. Press the dough into the dish so it covers the bottom completely, including the corners. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Drizzle the top of the dough with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden. Serve warm, cut into squares.
    •••••
    NOTE: To warm the cottage cheese, spoon into a glass 1-cup measure and microwave on high power for 30