Giant Overnight Sandwich Rolls? Plus: Ultra Smooth (Perfect) Hummus, Balsamic Roasted Peppers, Monkey Bread {Updated} & More


Friends, hello.

This week, I became obsessed with the idea of making giant sandwich rolls for giant sandwiches. Inspired by Jim Lahey's bread recipe, I cut back the yeast, changed the hydration, and used cold water in an old overnight sandwich roll recipe. And after the first rise, I let the shaped loaves rise for 3 more hours before baking them.

For the effort, the crumb is surprisingly light and airy:

And it made a great giant sandwich:

But I'm still fiddling with the recipe. If any of you want to give it a go, I've typed it up in this Google Doc, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. And if you think you might use it for Super Bowl Sunday, don't forget to make your dough tonight.

PS: Thank you for all of your rice cooker suggestions in response to my thoughts about my Cuckoo. I am still reading through all of them, but I have learned a lot already both about the many ways to cook rice — like in the oven, which I plan to try this week — and the various models of rice cookers and their many functions.

These are the models that were suggested repeatedly:

  • Zojirushi: This hands down has been suggested most often for its many settings, quality, and versatility — I love the idea of being able to program it to cook rice at a certain time. I also love the idea of waking up to cooked steel cut oatmeal.
  • KitchenAid, Aroma, Tatung, and Tiger brands also received high praise.
  • Japanese clay pot rice cookers sold from TOIRO also came highly recommended — these look beautiful.

Find all of the suggestions in the comments of this post: Great Aunt Rene's Honey Mustard Baked Chicken.

Have a great weekend, Friends! I've shared some of my favorite recipes for entertaining below should you be hosting for Super Bowl Sunday. Go Team! 🏈🏈🏈


Review of the Week

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Simple 5-Ingredient Naan

Who knew!?! Naan is incredibly easy to make. I had leftovers of a very elaborate meal I used frozen naan for, and being snowed in, out of naan, and unable to buy more, I turned to this recipe. I am so glad I did. The results were thrilling and delicious. I highly recommend you try.

— Courtade


12 Recipes for Super Bowl Sunday

Can't go wrong with spinach-artichoke in a peasant bread bowl:

Bread Bowl How-to + video in the Spinach-Artichoke Dip post:

Ultra Smooth and Creamy Homemade Hummus (The Best!)

Homemade Romesco ... I wish this were more photogenic, because it is so easy and SO delicious with veggies of all kinds and/or crackers.

Insanely Delicious Whipped Ricotta (Crowd pleaser!)

Cheesy Garlic & Herb Monkey Bread... I recently updated this recipe. It's delicious aside homemade tomato sauce.

4-Ingredient Balsamic Roasted Mini Peppers (Great for entertaining.)

Classic Chopped Salad with Simple Italian Vinaigrette

Homemade Ranch Dip with Greek Yogurt (a favorite!)

Super Easy Chili

Simple Baked Pasta (Easy and perfect for a crowd!)

It might not be a bad idea to make a batch of focaccia for all of your dipping needs this weekend. Make your dough tonight.

PS: Brownies are never a bad idea when entertaining.


Popular Right Now

You Are Loving These 3 Recipes...

PS: ALL the popular recipes right here → Popular Recipes


Thank You

Thank you to all who have ordered Pizza Night. If you haven't left a review yet, I would be so grateful if you did! 🙏🙏🍕🍕🥗🥗


5 Free Resources Available to You

PS: All previous editions of this newsletter are available here.

Hi. I'm Ali.

Bread enthusiast. Vegetable lover. Omnivore. If the kitchen is your happy place, you're in good company. Let's hang.

Read more from Hi. I'm Ali.

Friends, hello. Last Saturday, I wrote about my Great Aunt Rene's chicken recipe and hoped many of you would give it a go for its ease and deliciousness. I noted that I always serve it with rice made in my rice cooker, and this past week, I received several emails about that rice cooker. It's this Cuckoo Rice Cooker, and before buying it, I had embraced my Instant Pot for cooking rice. I love that the Instant Pot shuts off when the rice is done and keeps it warm (as opposed to a stovetop that...

Hi Friends, This week, as I found myself making my Great Aunt Rene's chicken for the millionth time, I found myself wishing more people would make it. It has become such a staple for me, not only because my family loves it, but also because I can make it ahead of time and leave it out — it tastes delicious at room temperature and also reheats beautifully in the microwave. The sauce is so, so tasty and so good with rice, which I make in the rice cooker, and which I find myself relying on more...

Overhead shot of halved sweet potato and black bean burrito.

Friends, hello. Yesterday I found myself in the checkout line at our little co-op behind an old man, moving slowly and sweetly grumbling about not wanting to pay for a paper bag for his groceries. And then, when the cashier, Linda, told him he was short a few cents, he sighed and, looking defeated, pulled out his wallet and handed over a larger bill. After giving him his change, Linda began helping him load his bags into his cart, saying assuringly, "Take your time, there is no rush, you're...