THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN
The sweet smell of breakfast: freshly baked bread
THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN
Hawaiian Electric Co.
THERE'S something very comforting about taking time out on the weekend to have a leisurely homemade breakfast or brunch with the family. And nothing says homemade like the smell of freshly baked bread.
This week, we're sharing tried and true favorites that vary in degree of ease of preparation. The Microwave Breakfast Ring (aka Monkey Bread) is quick, super-easy and always a family favorite. The best part of this recipe is children can have fun helping make it.
The Basic Sweet Roll and Cinnamon Roll recipes were originally shared with us by a Maui Electric employee on our former cooking show, "The Electric Kitchen." She often makes the rolls for church fundraisers and they always sell out, so you know they've got to be good and well worth the time it takes to make them.
Lastly, the Butter Biscuits recipe was shared by one of our employees in our most recent cookbook, "A Taste to Remember Vol. 3 -- Island Flavors from Hawaiian Electric Company." This employee said the biscuits are so yummy, he could easily eat half the pan! The recipe is quick and simple because there's no need to roll out and cut the dough.
The cookbooks are $10 and are sold at HECO's customer service offices. Or order by mail (add $4.50 for shipping for one to two books; $8.50 for three to 10 cookbooks). Make checks payable to HECO and send to HECO Power Supply Engineering, P.O. Box 2750, Honolulu 96840. Call 548-7311. Proceeds benefit Aloha United Way.
Microwave Breakfast Ring
1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Separate biscuits and cut into quarters. In a 5-cup microwave tube pan, combine brown sugar, butter, and water. Microwave on high 1 minute.
Stir in nuts. Add biscuit pieces and coat with sugar mixture; arrange evenly in pan.
Microwave on medium-high 2 minutes, then rotate pan 1/2 turn. Microwave again 3 minutes. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Serve warm. Serves 6.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 250 calories, 13 g total fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 375 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 5 g protein.
Basic Sweet Rolls
3 packages active rapid-rise dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups water
2/3 cup dry milk
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup sugar
6 eggs
11 to 12 cups flour
1/4 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.
Melt butter in saucepan. Remove from heat; add water, milk, salt, sugar and eggs. Add mixture to dissolved yeast, stirring well. Add 10 cups flour; mix well.
Knead 5 minutes, adding more flour as necessary. Oil dough; cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
Punch dough down and shape into rolls. Place in greased baking pans. Cover and let rise 1 to 1-1/2 more hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake rolls 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 6 dozen.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 120 calories, 4 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 3 g protein
To make cinnamon rolls: On floured board, roll dough 1/4-inch thick. Spread 1 cup softened butter or margarine over dough. Sprinkle 1 pound brown sugar and 1/3 cup ground cinnamon over butter.
Roll dough lengthwise like a jelly roll and cut into 1-inch slices. Place slices, cut-side up, on greased baking pans.
To bake, follow same procedure as with dinner rolls.
To make frosting: Whip 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 cup softened butter or margarine. Gradually add 1 pound powdered sugar; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread over hot rolls. Makes 3 dozen.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per roll: 450 calories, 21 g total fat, 12 g saturated fat, 85 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 60 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 30 g sugar, 7 g protein.
Butter Biscuits
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups milk
6 cups flour
4 tablespoons baking powder
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Melt butter in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Mix remaining ingredients and spoon batter over melted butter. Bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Serves 24.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 200 calories, 7 g total fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 5 g protein.
Hawaiian Electric Co. presents this weekly collection of recipes as a public service. Many are drawn from HECO's database of recipes, accessible online at
www.heco.com.