TIPS FOR LOW-PROTEIN BAKING AND COOKING

BREAD: 

Never over beat the yeast dough because it results in crumbly bread. Electric knife works the best when slicing the bread. Slice and freeze the bread; do not refrigerate. [Unyeasted doughs can be kneaded well that makes them less crumbly (opposite of yeast dough)]

TC- baking mix and the bread mix already contain salt and so you do not need to add any extra. 

Activate the yeast first with sugar, brown sugar and ½ cup of warm water and leave it to get frothy for 5 minutes. While it is getting frothy get the dry ingredients together in the bread machine container. Add the oil. Once frothy, add the yeast mixture into a measuring cup and then add more warm water to make up the amount and then add to the machine. Switch it on. Let dough cycle finish. Fifteen minutes before the dough cycle finishes get the oven preheated to 375 - 400° F. Once the cycle is finished take out the dough container and bake the bread in it for 22 minutes. 

( For those who use bread machine to make the dough: remove the racks in the oven so that only the bottom most one is remaining. This helps in holding the bread machine baking pan for baking) Take out the pan after baking and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes covered by a kitchen towel. Uncover and place the loaf in a zip lock bag. Let cool completely before slicing the bread.

TORTILLAS:

Tortilla dough can be made in bulk and kept in refrigerator in a plastic container for up to a week, and made as and when needed. Do not store the cooked tortillas in the refrigerator since they will dry out. They can be frozen after completely cooking by stacking them with wax paper in between and freeze in zippered plastic bags. Defrost by steaming or in a microwave. 

1. STEAM DEFROST: Wrap 3 or 4 tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in a steamer basket in a 6 quart or more capacity pan. Steaming them for 5 minutes will make them soft.

2. MICROWAVE: Microwave 3 or 4 tortillas in a microwave proof container and heat them for 10 - 20 seconds depending on the capacity of the microwave.

 Tortillas taste better when made from refrigerated dough 

MUFFINS:

For any muffin recipe using corn syrup to replace the sugar will yield moist muffins. Reduce the amount of liquid accordingly. The amount of sugar depends on personal preference, but don’t remove all the sugar. It improves the color.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS:

1.Chayote squash can be used instead of zucchini with even less protein; it is a great filler. It also grows well if you plant a whole chayote in your backyard or in a pot, and needs very little maintenance.

2. Use fresh herbs wherever you can to increase the flavor and make the dish more interesting. Mint especially gives any dish more robust flavor. It also grows very fast. You buy it once and after using the leaves plant the stems in a pot or in your yard. It grows really fast and you have mint on hand all the time. Oregano, rosemary, and marjoram are the same way too. Basil has to be planted every year and needs lot more care than the others. Most of these herbs can be grown like a ground cover.