shawnalyn- Perhaps this yeast test will come in handy for you - especially if you use yeast purchased in bulk amounts, don't use it frequently, and are uncertain of the strength of the yeast. Yeast Test: In a 1-cup glass measuring cup place 1-1/2 t. yeast, 1 t. sugar and 1/4 c. warm water. Wait 10 minutes. The mixture should be up to the 1/2 c. line if the yeast is active enough to raise bread dough. If you proof your yeast in water/sweetener for a recipe and you don't see good activity after 5\-10 minutes of proofing time, then there won't be enough "umph" in the yeast to raise bread dough and there's no sense continuing the recipe and wasting any more ingredients than the proofing mixture. And it's also an indication it's time for new yeast..... Be sure to add your yeast to the water, not water to yeast. Dumping the water on the yeast can actually "kill" or damage the yeast from the beating it takes from the water. If you actively stir the proofing mixture you can damage or kill the yeast. In one of his bread books, Bernard Clayton offers this advise: "If the dough refuses to rise, you may have forgotten the yeast or the yeast may have been outdated and dead. Don't throw the dough away. Start a new batch of dough but make certain the yeast \- in the amount specific in the recipe is among the ingredients. After the dough is mixed, blend the two doughs. There will be more than enough healthy yeast cells to go around. OR, dissolve the yeast in a small amount of water and work this into the dough. It will be a sticky mess in the beginning, but the yeast will be absorbed." \-Grainlady

Not Haley but your rolls look like mine. My recipe has sugar in it so it can be used as a dinner roll or sweet breads/cinnamon rolls also. I find that they will burn easily because of the sugar content and have to be watched in the last few minutes carefully. This is the way I make it in the bread machine but often do it by hand if I have time. The instructions below are for cresent rolls, but I also make cloverleafs and split rolls like you have in your picture. Ingredients 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 1/2 cup warm milk 1 egg 1/3 cup butter, softened 2 tbsp. white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast 1/4 cup butter, softened Directions 1.Place water, milk, egg, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Knead and First Rise Cycle; press Start. 2.When cycle finishes, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12 inch circle, spread 1/4 cup softened butter over entire round. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges starting at wide end; roll gently but tightly. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). 3.Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.

A friend gave us 2 wild turkey breasts. I don't really know how to cook wild game, so I froze them. Does anyone have a recipe? Do I need to marinate them in something to take the "wild" taste out? I would really like to try them, but I need someone's input on the best way to cook them. Thank you!

This is my favorite recipe but it calls for filet mignon so I save this one for when we may have guests (we sponsor local college students who often come for dinner, or if dh is having a couple friends over for a football game, etc). A friend of mine gave me the recipe - she found it online and made it for a chili cookoff and everyone raved about it. It apparently originated at Gallagher's Steak House in NYC. Please note that this is obviously for a large group. I either halve the recipe when I make it or I freeze half of it. I also don't think I use nearly that much butter, nor do I add any at the end like it calls for. Gallagher's Guinness & Filet Mignon Chili Gallagher's Guinness Stout & Filet Mignon Chili CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com Serves/Makes: 15 | Ready In: 30-60 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup salted butter 1 pound filet mignon, cut in 1/4-inch dice 5 pounds ground sirloin 2 cups onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice 1 chile pepper, seeds and veins removed, cut in 1/8-inch dice 1/2 cup Guinness stout 1/4 cup flour 2 cups crushed tomatoes 1/4 cup tomato paste 4 cups beef stock 1 cup black beans, cooked or canned (rinsed and drained) 1 cup kidney beans, cooked or canned (rinsed and drained) 1/2 cup chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons ground white pepper 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ***Garnish*** sour cream diced red onions diced bell pepper shredded cheddar cheese diced tomatoes chopped fresh cilantro Directions: Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add half the butter. When melted add the filet mignon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Add the ground sirloin and cook until no longer pink. Remove the meat and set aside. Drain off all but 2-3 tablespoons of grease from the pan. Add the onion and chile pepper to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the onion is soft. Return the meat to the pan and add the Guinness. Bring to a boil for one minute. Add the flour, stirring constantly for one minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef stock. Stir to mix well. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Add the black and kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, white pepper, and brown sugar. Let simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir the chili occasionally. Add the remaining butter and cheddar cheese. Stir well until the butter is incorporated and the cheese is melted. Serve hot. Place in individual bowls and garnish with sour cream, onions, bell pepper, cheese, tomatoes, and/or fresh cilantro.