perfecting homemade pizza

 being a New Yorker i was always spoiled by amazingly delicious pizza... every New Yorker says its one thing that makes the pizza, the artisan breads and the bagels stand way above the rest... the water...

so whats a part-time Mainer to do... one of two things...  (1) suck it up and get use to "pizza" or (2) try my hardest to make some really good homemade pizza-pies... do i sound snobbish... i truly apologize to the wonderful and sweet people of Maine if i do (i really do like it here, it's a beautiful place full of really nice people)... but... it's just hard to beat NY pizza...

 so... i have been working with different kind of dough... simple 5 minute doughs (blaahhhh)... and dough's that need to rise 24 hours (i'm too impatient)... and then there is the standard 2 hour yeast doughs... now these are more my speed...

here is the recipe i have been using lately... it's not perfect but it's pretty darn good and easy to make...

basic pizza dough (makes a single pizza)
prep: 10 minutes  rise: 2 hours
ingredients:
1 cup warm water (about 110)
2 1/4 tsp (or one package) of active dry yeast
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. olive oil

directions:
1. place water in a bowl and add the yeast (let it bloom for 5 minutes)
2. in a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the salt, and the sugar... make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and the olive oil... with the dough hook attachment stir the dough until it comes together, adding in as much of the remaining 1/4 cup of flour, until the dough forms a ball
3. place the dough in lightly oiled bowl (turning over so the dough is coated with olive oil), and cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until 2 hours
4. punch down the dough, place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out into desired diameter

 one of the things i like to do, is right before i put the pizza in the oven, i brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt and a bit of grated parmesan cheese... this makes an amazing almost bread stick like crust... my boys love it...

the quest is still on for the perfect pizza dough... i'll let you know if i find it... either that or i'll be asking my family to ship me up bottles of new york tap water :)

the boys are strictly plain cheese pizza guys... but i love anything on pizza... fresh spinach, red wine sauteed mushrooms and onions... lots of fresh mozzarella cheese... creamy melty goat cheese... the sky is the limit...

so... we are still looking about our surrounding area of Maine looking for a good pizza joint... and hey, if any of you know of one between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine let me know...

mangia! mangia!

the spanglish sandwich :)

we have all heard of it... we have all seen it... and we have all drooled over it... the "Spanglish Sandwich"... or also known as the "World's Greatest Sandwich", or the "Thomas Keller" sandwich... and if you have no idea what i am even talking about... well just google it!!! NOW!!! then make it... and slip away into a delightful food coma...recipe for this awesome sandwich:

ingredients:
bacon
monterey jack cheese
toasted rustic country loaf (pain de campagne)
1 tbsp of mayo
tomato slices
leaves of lettuce (i used arugula)
avocado slices
butter for frying
1 egg


directions:
1. cook the bacon until crisp, set aside on paper towels...
2. place slices of cheese on one side of the bread, then place it in toaster oven or under broiler to melt...
3. spread mayo on other slice of bread top with bacon, sliced tomato, lettuce and avocado...
4. on non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat and fry an egg... turning over briefly when the bottom is set (you really want to keep the yolk runny... it adds to the taste sensation)
5. place fried egg on top of lettuce, top with other slice of bread...
6. plate sandwich and slice in half, letting yolk run down sandwich...
7. serve with any side you like... we opted for sweet potato fries... yummmm...

black bean and zucchini burgers

so... i know i've been absent for a couple of months... and there is no excuse except for pure laziness and a lack of motivation... you see, when the hubby is out on patrol, i sometimes fall in a funk of simple dinners that i know my two little guys will eat... but that is all over now... it's a new year, and i've gotten my motivation back, and i'm pretty sure i'm not going anywhere for a long time :)

so lets start the new year with a healthy and delicious dish... black bean and zucchini burgers... it's such a simple recipe, made with a few ingredients... and... it's healthy for you too...

ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 egg
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped zucchini or summer squash
1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 heaping tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
salt, pepper and cumin to taste
hot sauce (or red pepper flakes) to taste

directions:
1. place all ingredients (except about a 1/4 cup of the black beans) into a food processor and pulse to combine, then add in the remaining whole black beans... then shape into patties
2. heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat... arrange patties in a single layer (working in batches, if needed) and cook, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes total
3. top with anything you wish... we topped ours with shredded colby jack cheese, fresh pico de gallo, guacamole and a bit more fresh cilantro...

look at those babies fry.... mmmm....

the only change i will make will be to use a heartier bun... ciabatta or a nice whole wheat bunky roll... and maybe some pepper jack cheese... otherwise this was amazing...

until next time...

You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients - julia child