Pizza dough

I am constantly looking for and trying new pizza

dough recipes. I found one that I really like

and it has come out great, or even better, each

time I have made it.

It's from "Family Meals" by Maria Helm Sinskey.

I love the entire cookbook and have made many

of her family friendly recipes. Beautiful photos,

and stories to accompany each recipe - love that.

~

Pizza Dough

1/1/2 tsp. active dry yeast

1 1/4 cups warm water

1 tsp. sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. salt

2 Tbl. extra-virgin olive oil

Makes enough dough for 2 large pizzas.

~

In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over

1/2 cup of the warm water, allow to bloom for

a few min., then whisk until smooth. Whisk in

the sugar, and then whisk in 1/2 cup of the flour.

Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm spot

until the mixture bubbles, about 15 min.

(I use my laundry room, which is always hot at this

time of the year...no a/c vent in there)

In a bowl of a stand mixer, stir together 2 1/2

cups of the flour and the salt. Add the yeast mixture,

the remaining 3/4 cup water, and the oil. Fit the

mixer with the dough hook and knead on med. speed,

adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as

needed to reduce wetness, until the dough is

elastic, pliable, and moist but not sticky, about

10 min. (I have always needed all of the 1/2 cup

of flour, if not a bit more..)

Shape the dough into a ball, place in a lightly

oiled bowl, turn the ball to coat with the oil,

cover with plastic wrap, and let the dough

rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 2 hrs.

(Or, re-fridge overnight and bring to room temp.

before continuing)

Punch down the dough, and divide into 2 equal pieces.

Place the balls on a lightly floured plate,

cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 min.

till ready to roll out.

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

Position the oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the

oven. Lightly drizzle your pans with olive oil,

and a dust of corn meal.

Roll out the dough and place on the sheets and

top with your favorite ingredients.

Bake till crust is golden and the cheese is

bubbling. Remove from oven and let

cool for about 5 min.

Slice into wedges and enjoy!

A peek inside...

I got this idea from Kim years ago...

Inside my kitchen cupboard, I keep business

cards from all the great restaurants and places

that I have been to over the years...

along with a few other fun, little

mementos.
*

I ran out of room in the first cupboard,

so I started a new one this morning.

Brings back so many great memories when

I look at each one...

~

Some of my favorites:

Etta's in Seattle

best clam chowder & Crab cakes - ever!

Shared with Chloe on our RV trip.

One of my fondest memories to date.

Bistro VenDome in Denver

Favorite breakfast place when I visit with Kim.

Asperges et Oeufs en Brioche asparagus, two eggs on brioche,

with red onion marmalade & béarnaise sauce.

Let's not forget the Pommes Frites!

Corridor 44 in Denver

Champagne bar - enjoyed a bit of bubbly with Kim & Alex.

Very French - Oooo La La!

The Shed in Santa Fe

best red chili enchiladas.

Arcadia Farms in Scottsdale

favorite place for girls lunch.

Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix

best. pizza.ever!

Root Down in Denver

delicious meal shared with Kim.

Girl & the Fig in Sonoma

wine, cheese, oh yes!

A restaurant devoted to the fig - need I say more...?

Minette in San Fransisco

shared a decadent little pots de creme with the sista.

La Grande Orange in Phoenix

everything done right - great salads.

House of Tricks in Tempe

romantic outdoor dining -

Many great memories here!

~

I look forward to filling the

new cabinet door!

Girls trip

Kim & I are planning a sister trip to

San Fransisco and the Napa Valley.

I am sooo looking forward to it.

Food, wine & fun.

I can't wait!!

Lemon sparkler

Mmmmm...doesn't that look refreshing!

Homemade Lemon Vodka,

frosty from the freezer,

with sparkling Pellegrino water

and a slice of lemon.

Just peachy

Peach Blueberry Tart

I made a simple shortbread crust, then
filled it with fresh, juicy peaches and
blueberries, tossed with some cinnamon,
sugar, and a little lemon juice. Then baked
till the fruit was tender and a bit caramelized.
Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It was delicious - Dad would have loved it!

*

Shortbread Crust
8 Tbls. butter
6 Tbls. sugar
2 egg yolks
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
~
Mix together butter and sugar, add egg
yolks, then flour and salt.
Press into pan & freeze for about 20 min.
Bake at 375 for about 20-22 min.

Happy Birthday

Today is my Dad's Birthday.

He would have been 75 today.

My brother sent me these

classic old army shots of him.

I just love them!

Tonight I will make a peach dessert in
his honor - his favorite!
Today I remember his generosity, sense of humor,
his amazing woodworking talents,
and his warm smile.
~
Love you Dad!

Cool treat

I recently bought a large container of

Oregon blueberries at Costco. They are

delicious and we have been eating them up.

I put some in the freezer too

and they are awesome! I am eating some now as

I write this post.

It's the perfect cool snack for a hot day.

110 today - yikes!

Off to school!

The new school clothes were all laid out

last night - backpacks & supplies ready.

*

Logan & Chloe. First day of High School

for Chloe. Oh, boy! She has such a great,

positive attitude - filled with excitement

and enthusiasm. It's so refreshing.

I think he's a little worried...
but trying to be very brave.

*

Taylor & Logan.
Taylor's last year of high school...
not so exited & enthusiastic.

Delish

Tomato Bruschetta

Sweet cherry tomatoes - sliced and tossed with

extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar,

fresh basil,

a bit of crushed garlic and salt and pepper.

I grilled the breads in frying

pan in a bit of olive oil till brown on both sides,

extra crunchy and delicious.

~

Busy getting the kids ready for school these past

few days - clothes, school supplies,

goodies for lunches,

meet the teacher, etc.

School starts tomorrow....

I am relieved - !

Girls night out

Sister-in-law Cathy and I went to Postino

for wine and bruschetta.

We had the tomato w/ fresh mozzarella & basil,

smoked salmon w/ cream cheese & capers,

prosciutto w/ figs & mascarpone,

and brie w/ apples & fig jam - YUM!

I forgot just how much I love that place.

Great ambiance, delicious food &

wine, and (of course) great company!

They have a Mon. & Tues. night special:

Bottle of house wine, and a bruschetta board

for $20.00 - D and I will be heading back

there soon!

Delicious dip

Made this sun-dried tomato dip to

have before dinner last night. I didn't

have as many sun-dried tomatoes as the recipe

called for, but it was still super yummo.

It was SCREAMING for a glass of wine!
*

Recipe is the Barefoot Contessa's.

*

Sun-dried Tomato dip
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 dashes tabasco sauce
1 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 scallions, thinly slice (white and green parts)

Puree the tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo,

tabasco, salt & pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.

Add the scallions and pulse twice, just to mix in.

Serve with assorted crackers or veggies.

*

Make a wish....

*

We made the "Better Than Sex" cake for

dessert or "Instead of Sex" cake, depending

on who you are talking to in this house.

Hee Hee..

We used raspberries on top instead of the

usual crumbled heath bars.