by: AndiPosted on:

If You Cook, They Will Come

In was out, pandemic you know. I only go shopping first thing in the morning.

And out was out, because the air quality had become really bad because of the wildfires.

So I found myself totally trapped in my condo. And desperately wanting company.

I personally haven’t moved into the phase where I invite people into my condo…except my family. My family bubble.

So I decided to make something yummy for lunch and invite my daughter and son-in-law and grandson to come over.

Come for lunch is more appealing than come hang out because I’m lonely, right? And I assumed they also have been trapped in their townhouse all weekend and might appreciate a change of scenery.

But I have a pandemic pantry. Ever since my son-in-law started doing my grocery shopping for me (he goes every two weeks) my list has been whittled down to the essentials. And there are always those things I don’t remember until I see them in the store, like plastic wrap. I never remember to put plastic wrap on my list.

So what do I have in my pantry that I can make for lunch?

I have flour and yeast, so I can make a sandwich braid.

I’ve been making this braid since my eldest daughter’s first Easter, so over 35 years, and it’s a family favorite. Excellent bait.

The original version was Ham and Swiss, although I often switch up the type of cheese, and since we became vegetarians, I use a plant-based “lunch meat”. But I don’t have that today. Today I just have some cheddar.

And spinach! I have spinach.

So I decided to make a cheese and spinach braid.

And it turns out just right. They come over for lunch and hangs out for awhile and it’s very nice.

It was only later after we’d eaten that I found out they had already had lunch before they came. It’s a really good recipe.

Here’s the recipe:

Ham and Swiss Braid

1 loaf

Ingredients:

  • 2¾ cup of bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2½ tsp salt
  • 1 pkg. of active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup water
  • 4 tablespoons margarine
  • 1 egg
  • 2½ oz. ham, julienne sliced
  • 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded

Procedure:

  1. Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast,
  2. Heat water and 2 tablespoons of margarine to 120 -130° Margarine need not melt.
  3. Add to dry ingredients and moisten on low speed of mixer.
  4. Add egg; beat 3 minutes at medium speed, Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough.
  5. On floured board, knead 10 minutes, place in bowl and cover;
  6. Let rise 15 minutes.
  7. Prepare fillings
  8. Roll dough into a large rectangle and cut into 3 strips.
  9. Melt the rest of the butter, brush on strips.
  10. Sprinkle ham and cheese down center of strips; pinch edges to encase.
  11. Braid strips on a greased baking sheet; tuck ends under.
  12. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes
  13. Heat oven to 375°F.
  14. Bake braid 25-30 minutes,
  15. Brush with melted butter. Remove from sheet and let cool.
  16. Chill leftovers.