Pizza Pride!
As promised, I will share with you today the pizza crust recipe from allrecipes.com that has finally unlocked the secrets of home-baked pizza for this mensch. Prior to this recipe, every time I tried to make my own pizza dough, it would come out doughy and floury and generally unpleasant. But this dough is crispy, soft and chewy--the epitome of what makes good pizza dough.
Let's start with the ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 2 1/2 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Be sure to use bread flour--it's magnificent! (And don't make my perennial mistake of using whole wheat flour. It won't make the recipe healthy and it WILL make it waaaaaay too dense).
Mix together the yeast, sugar and warm water and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it's beautifully yeasty and gassy:
While you're waiting for the yeasts to do their gaseous work, mix together the olive oil and salt. At the suggestion of another allrecipes.com user, I also added a 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, a 1/2 teaspoon basil, and a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder. It adds a little oomph to the flavor of the dough:
Once the yeast has done its stuff, add the herbed olive oil and the flour to the mixture. I don't have a picture of this process because when I do it, flour flies everywhere and my hands become encrusted with doughy gook. (My husband wonders sometimes if I just throw flour in the air and let it settle where it might). Once the flour has been smoothed into the mixture and you've had a chance to wash your hands, the dough will look something like this:
Notice the herby goodness!
Let the dough rest for five minutes (and this means there's no need to let it rise! Huzzah!) Then, it's time to do the fun part--rolling out the dough. We have an enormous cutting board that I only ever use in conjunction with a rolling pin, but any lightly floured surface will do. Roll and stretch and throw (if you're brave) the dough into a round--or in my case, into a shape that does not occur in Euclidean Geometry:
Then, it's time for the toppings. Brush some olive oil on the dough, then go to town:
(We forgot to transfer the pizza from the cutting board to the cookie sheet before adding the first toppings. Oops!)
We like chicken and pineapple on our pizza. We discovered with this particular pizza, however, that leftover roasted chicken does not taste like grilled chicken. Lesson learned.
After 15-20 minutes in a 450 degree oven, the pizza comes out beautiful and delicious:
Let the pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing into it. Otherwise, you might not be able to taste anything for a few days with your charred tongue. (Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything).
Had I known this recipe earlier in my financial fast, we might have avoided the Pizza of Shame.
Frugality as a Challenge
When I first started embracing frugality, I wasn’t thrilled with the process. It all seemed so limiting, somehow. I didn’t enjoy combing sales flyers and planting my own gardens. I wasn’t thrilled about hanging my clothes out on the line or trying to find yet another way to re-purpose a glass jar. It seemed that [...]How to Be More Romantic by Using Local Florists
courtesy of Avas Flowers
Being romantic takes a little creativity and local florists. Creativity makes it easier to create romantic gestures that work. The gestures can be made for holidays, or for no real reason at all.
Making romantic gestures can show someone how much they are loved. They can be done early in a relationship, or at any time later on. They are also common around anniversaries, or after a disagreement.
Show Simple Gestures with Blooms from Local Florists
One of the most simple gestures that can be made is a single bloom. Single blooms are an easy and effective way to display affection. They can be nearly any variety, from a rose to a sunflower or tulip.
A single stem is typically given on its own, with no box or wrapping. Many simply hand it to their partner, or leave it where it will be found. This is a very quick and easy way to show a spark of romance.
Another option is to find a thin or small vase to use for it. The single stem can then be placed in the vase and put on display. Depending on the flower type, this can create a dramatic look.
Surprise Anyone with Thoughtful Flower Arrangements
Some may prefer to browse local flower shops for romantic ideas. In many of these, big arrangements are often commonly found. Big arrangements are typically used for a special event, like anniversaries.
There does not always have to be a big event for them, however. Many use arrangements just because they are thoughtful and pretty. They can be a perfect way to surprise someone with a show of affection.
The first option that many use to be romantic is a dense rose bouquet. Roses are considered a universal symbol of love and romantic feelings. This is why they are most often used for anniversaries and dates.
For a romantic surprise at home, a spa treatment can be planned. To do this, the bathroom can be turned into a soothing sauna. Flowers, candles and wine can be prepared ahead of time for it.
The flowers can be arranged through local floral delivery. Candles and wine can be easily picked up at any local store. Once everything is gathered, the bathroom can be decorated.
Plush towels and robes should be laid out for after the bath. Bath salts or bubble bath liquid can be placed near the bathtub. Rose petals may also be added, or soap petals, for easier cleanup.
As part of the surprise, candles can be lit and placed around the room. Small treats, such as a glass of wine or chocolate, may also be added. Some may prefer to add cut berries or fruit, instead of candy treats.
Find Flower Arrangements that Express Devotion
To create a more soothing spa environment, more blooms can be used. Some may do this by splitting the bouquets from local FTD florists. Instead of one large arrangement, several can be created from it.
Almost any container can become a vase, including wine glasses. Shallow glass bowls may also be used, or clear containers, if available. For these, the stems should be trimmed very short to hold the blooms.
Small additions, such as pebbles, can be added to the containers. These will hold the stems upright, and create more visual interest. Those pressed on time may be able to find these through local florists.
Avas Flowers is a family owned and operated professional florist company guaranteeing satisfaction on every flower order customers send for delivery in the US and internationally.
Money Lessons Learned from Traveling Well
Several months ago I wrote a post about what traveling while broke taught me about finance. Now, while I certainly don’t travel five-star, first-class all of the time, I’ve reached a point in my life where I can travel comfortably. I no longer have to sleep in a hostel and wait tables in a bar [...]The Jelly Leg Phenomenon
Photo courtesy of Dirk Ingo Franke
I had hoped to report in today that I have completed 31 miles of my 500 mile challenge. It seemed like a reasonable goal. As of last week, I had completed 23 miles, and yesterday I ran a record-breaking four miles. (By record-breaking, that simply means I hadn't run that far in more than a few years. I don't think the folks at Guinness World Records would be particularly interested in interviewing a woman completing four miles at the zippy pace of 12 minutes per mile.)
So last night, I figured I could run four miles this morning, and finish my first month of the year-long challenge with 31 miles under my belt.
But I got on the trusty treadmill at the Y this morning, and my legs informed me that I was sadly mistaken. "We don't think so," they said, distinctly enough for the other joggers and exercisers to hear.
It was clear that I had jelly legs.
I had almost forgotten about this phenomenon, as it's been several years since the last time I ran regularly. Jelly legs strike after a not-particularly-long run and they make you walk the next "run." But what's unfortunate about jelly legs is that you're unaware of having them until you go out for your run. It's not like soreness, which is at least straightforward about keeping you sidelined. When you're sore, every movement you make reminds you that you hurt. But jelly legs is where your nether limbs go on strike. You think you can have enough mind over matter to override their apathy toward running, but it's simply not true. Because if you try to run on jelly legs, they will tip you embarrassingly onto the pavement or treadmill, which nobody wants. And that's why speed-walked and watched Dr. Phil (baby beauty pageants!) this morning, rather than running the four miles I'd hoped to run.
So, I've finished this month at 15 miles below my monthly goal of 42.
I'm hoping that as I continue this challenge, I'll work back up to the 8 and 10 mile runs I used to take at least once a week so that I can get ahead in miles. I'm also hoping that I can de-jell my legs by tomorrow, because I'd like to get some more miles in before the Mensch family's trip out of town this weekend.
Because I'd hate to end up racing a deadline like I used to do in school, saving all my running for the night before the due date.
Subscribe via RSS