Bread Bowls

I have an easy peesy recipe for you!  Okay, so this may be a little time consuming, but the ingredient list for this is pretty small and after you make these a couple of times, you will be a pro.  This is a Bread Bowl:

I know.  I know.  It doesn't look much like a bowl, but after I started making these regularly, Howard likes the bread so much, he cuts it up and eats it with butter!

The colder it gets, the more soups and chili I am making.  You could also do sloppy joes with these. It's pretty versatile.  It's kind of like an open face sandwich, but the bread is definitely the star of the show.

As long as you don't mind your kitchen looking like this,

you're good to go.  In other words, it may behoove you to rope the hubby in with the old "I'll cook, if you clean" routine.  ;-)

I also have to say that I consider this recipe to be pretty headache-free because the ingredients are already in my pantry.  (except maybe for the yeast)

Ingredients:

2 (.25 oz) pkg Active Dry Yeast

2 1/2 Cups Warm Water

2 tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

7 Cups All Purpose Flour

1 Tbsp Cornmeal

1 Egg White

1 Tbsp Water

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water (about 10 minutes).
2. Add salt, oil and 4 cups of flour to the yeast.  Beat well with an electric mixer.  Stir in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time with mixer on medium.
3. Plop your dough down onto a flour-y work surface and knead for 6 minutes.  (If it gets sticky add more flour, that's the trick!)  Lightly oil in a bowl and cover.  Let rise for 40 minutes.
4. Punch dough down and cut into 8 portions.  Shape each one into a ball.  Place balls on greased baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal.  Cover for 35 minutes.  (I usually spray my saran wrap with a little Pam so that it doesn't stick during this step.)
5. Mix together egg white and water and brush half onto rolls.
6. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Brush with remaining egg wash and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more.
7. Let cool on wire racks for 15 minutes.
8. To make a "bowl," cut the top off and hollow out the center.  Then, pour in your favorite soup or chili.

Don't get discouraged by this one!  I almost was at first because it is definitely a process, but after you make them a couple of times, you'll be a pro.

They definitely spruce up a soup.  If you're feeling a little sassy after all that bread bowl making, you can also sprinkle them with cheese and basil and put them under the broiler before you add the soup!