Sunday, May 4, 2008

Saturday Night Pizza and The Missing Camera


Multi-tasking. I love it. My job requires it both at work and at home! I think that's why I love to cook and bake so much. I love doing a bunch of things at once and seeing an end result. It just gives me a sense of satisfaction. However, the downside to that is that I'm also quite the spazz! Rich calls me that lovely name often and it definitely fits. I'm constantly cleaning up as I'm doing things. Last night while I was making these pizzas, I had my little camera sitting on the cupboard where it always is when I'm cooking so that I can take pictures for here.

I had just taken a picture of the dough cut in half and then I rolled it out to put on the pan. My camera had disappeared. I looked everywhere! In the fridge, oven, dishwater, microwave, cupboards, etc. I have been known to put very odd objects into the refrigerater!


So then Rich and Sam got into the search and we looked everywhere. I began to think a ghost had inhabited my kitchen and was playing tricks on me. I also thought that maybe I'd lost my mind and then realized that had happened years ago. Low and behold, I went into my recipe book cupboard and there, shut inside a cookbook was my camera, still on. What a dork!!


In the meantime, I had the pizzas in the oven so I missed a few shots, lol. At least I found the dumb thing!


Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
2-3/4 to 3-1/4 c. flour
1 pkg. dry active yeast
1/4 t. salt
1 c. warm water
4 T. olive oil, divided
2 cloves freshly minced garlic
salt to taste


In large mixing bowl, combine1-1/4 c. flour, pkg. of yeast, and salt. Add warm water and 2 T. of the oil. Beat with electric mixer for 30 seconds on low, scraping the sides with a spatula. Beat on high for 3 more minutes.




Next, stir in as much of the remaining flour (with spoon) as you can. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and need in the remaining flour for 5 minutes or so, until the dough is smooth and elastic:


Divide in half; cover for 20 minutes.

At this point, my camera disappears!
Roll out dough with rolling pin to fit your pans or stones. I use the pan for a crispier crust that Rich likes and a stone for the softer that Sam and I like. This recipes rolls out really easily.
Shape dough to pans(will make two), making edges rounded. When smooth, make small divets in the dough with a fork. In a small saucepan, on medium, heat the remaining 2 T. of oil and minced garlic for about 5 minutes to infuse the flavor.
With a spoon gently rub the crust with about a T. of the garlic oil. You don't want a lot of it on there, just enough for some flavor. Over this, sprinkle a dash of salt. Bake in a 425 degree oven, low rack, for about 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and put on your sauce and toppings. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Last night after pizza, we went to see the movie Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr. It was surprisingly good! I love RDJ and always have and was suprised to see him in this role since he's been having so many "issues" so to speak. He was really good. He was also very sexy....Go see it!
Rich and Sam are out fishing and having some "boy time" today. I love having the house to myself. I've been catching up on some reading and enjoying the silence.
Daily Inspiration: "The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once." Advice I need to consider!
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6 comments:

Sheri said...

Your post is cracking me up! Sounds like something I would do with my camera. Glad you found it. That pizza looks very very good. I am hoping to see Ironman this weekend. Your review makes me want to go even more now.

~Lisa~ said...

Sounds like something I would do. I am constantly losing...well, everything! I love homemade pizza - I'll have to test out your recipe soon!

FlipFlop Mom said...

OH Yummy Yummy!!!! Your pizza looks fabulous!!!

I also have something for you on my blog!!

linda said...

That pizza looks really good.. I love reading your blog and the recipes that you post..

Tanya said...

Thanks Linda and everyone else! It's a really nice dough that's so easy to work with. Next time I'm going to make a chicken garlic alfredo version since Rich loves it.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog everyone :)

Amanda said...

This is an awesome, easy, pizza dough recipe! I've made it twice and will definitely make it again! :) The first time I made Calzones and the second time I used it to make Grilled Chicken Alfredo pizza!! I looooooove the garlic/olive oil mixture on top! :) Thanks for sharing! :D