Hi Donna,

Thanks my Friend.  Another great Recipe which sounds absolutely delicious.  I love making Stews, since I can eat right along with the rest of the family, I just have to leave all of the Stew Meat for them.  Like Myrna, I've never used Tapioca before, but it sure does sound better than the Corn Starch that I usually use as a thickener.

This will probably be Thursday night's meal.  I just got another Bread Recipe that I've been wanting to try, and this sounds like the perfect opportunity.  Here's the Recipe if you're interested...

Whole-Wheat Hard-Crust Bread 

3 tablespoon active dry yeast
4 1/2 cup warm water
4 1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
7 tablespoon cooking oil
10 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 sesame seeds

Proof the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tsp sugar. Mix the rest of the sugar, the salt, and 6 Tbs of the oil with the rest of the warm water. Make a well in the center of the flour; put all the liquid and yeast in the well, and mix all together. Keep pulling the flour until everything is mixed. Then start kneading by hand, adding a little more flour if needed, so that the dough leaves the hands. Let sit in a greased mixing bowl for 10 mins; then remove and knead for 1-2 mins. Do this 4 more times, every 10 mins. Alternatively, let rise once until doubled in bulk and punch down.

Place in 4 oblong or round greased baking tins, or mold on a cookie sheet sprinkled with oil. Cut the top with a knife and let rise 1 1/2 hrs. Sprinkle with oil and then sesame seeds.

Bake in a 400 F oven 20 mins, or until golden. Makes 4 loaves.

You'll notice that this makes four loaves.  This is an advantage.  While we all like to think that our Neighbors have got our backs in case of an Emergency, I know that my Neighbors have got mine.  Every so often, I'll stop by with one of those extra fresh-baked loaves of bread, with a little home-made Honey Butter and we just visit for a spell.  Works wonders, plus it's really quite enjoyable.

Have A Beautiful Week,

Phil