The Forum: Breads help solve dinner dilemma

  • By Judyrae Kruse Herald Columnist
  • Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:00pm
  • LifePhotography

A savory pot of soup or stew bubbling along on the stovetop and a loaf of bread baking in the oven, and what do you have?

The answer to the unending what’s for dinner question, that’s what.

We kitchen wizards only need to figure out what to put in the pot, and then Marysville cook JoAnn Hartle pulls the rest of the production together for us with a dishy bread recipe.

“Saw the SOS for a casserole bread,’’ she writes. “I’ve been busy packing because we finally sold our house because my husband wants to retire. We girls never get to retire, do we?

“”So … I happened to be putting my cookbooks in a box and noticed a bread cookbook published by Better Homes and Gardens in 1973. I’ve had it a while, and it’s dog-eared and, of course, had lots of Forum recipes tucked in here and there throughout. Love the Forum!”

Winding up, JoAnn mentions, “Fall is here and homemade breads, casseroles and soups seem to be the most satisfying foods.’’

Now let’s get right to the bread:

Cheese casserole bread

21/2cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/4cup grated Parmesan cheese

2tablespoons snipped parsley

1package dry yeast

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1cup cream-style cottage cheese

1/3 cup water

2tablespoons butter or margarine

1egg

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, Parmesan cheese, parsley, yeast and baking soda; set aside. In a saucepan, heat together the cottage cheese, water and butter just until warm (115 to 120 degrees), stirring constantly to melt the butter. Add to the flour mixture.

Add the egg and beat at low speed with electric mixer for 30 seconds, scraping sides of the bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in remaining flour. Turn dough into a greased bowl.

Cover bowl and let rise until double. Stir down. Spread dough in a greased 1-quart casserole dish. Let rise until nearly doubled, then bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes. Cover top with foil if bread browns too quickly. Remove from casserole and cool.

Makes 1 loaf.

Now that we’re well and truly into the soup/stew season around here, anybody else out there have a good go-with bread recipe to share? If so, please write to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

We are always happy to receive your contributions and requests, but please remember that all letters and e-mail must include a name, complete address with ZIP code and telephone number with area code. No exceptions and sorry, but no response to e-mail by return e-mail; send to kruse@heraldnet.com.

The next Forum will appear in Monday’s Good Life section. Meanwhile, Happy Halloween!

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.