Wednesday. . . again. . .

Can't believe it 2, Wednesdays in a row and I'm cookin' supper.  Tonight Mari Ann and the girls were here and naturally the subject matter of our conversation turned to food and what we were going to eat/fed the girls.  Mari Ann suggested Chili dogs and spaghetti, neither sounded that good to me.  The Sara suggested pizza.  I started to consider that suggestion, as I mental strolled through my pantry and freezer looking to see if I had all the necessary ingredients, and by george I did.  So, here are a few pictures and the recipes.  The dough recipe makes enough crust for a LARGE single pizza (depending on how thin/thick you like your crust), tonight I divided the dough into 4 equal parts and everyone made their on pizza with the toppings they like best.  We used 9 inch round cake pans.
I have no idea where I got this recipe from, but it's been in my computer cookbook forever and I found it years before I had a computer cookbook. 

Pizza Dough

• 1 1/2 C warm water
• 1 t  yeast
• Stir together and let sit about 5 minutes until yeast bubbles up
• In a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix together
• 4 C flour



This feels funny...

• 1 T salt, (yes tablespoon)

And yeast mixture on low speed.  Slowly add 4 t olive oil until dough comes together about 5 minutes.  (Alternatively, stir together in a large bowl and knead with hands)  Cover bowl with plastic wrap let rise until double in bulk about 1 1/2 hours.  Punch dough down and shape into a ball, use immediately, or rub down with 1 T oil, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate up to 24 hrs.

I just put the sauce recipe together tonight, just tossing in what I thought would taste good.

Pizza Sauce

Is she watching... maybe I can slip on one more...

• 3 T olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
• 1 t dried minced onion
• 1 T Italian seasoning
• 1 t dried minced parsley
• 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes ( I use the petite diced)
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1/4 - 1 t Red pepper flakes (how spicy do you like it?)

Heat oil in a sauce pan, add garlic, onion, till lightly brown.  Stir in Italian seasoning, parsley, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and red pepper flakes.   Allow to simmer until sauce thickens about 10 minutes.  At this point you can use it  as is, if you like the sauce a little chunky or you can blend it to you hearts content for a smooth sauce.  Depending on how much sauce you like on your pizza this will make enough for 3 large pizzas.  I freeze the leftovers in about 2,  6 oz. cups for future use.

Aaaah, time to eat....

Getting back into a routine...

Sorry, I haven't been here for a couple of days, but I've been a little busy.  I volunteer at a free clinic in a small community near where I live.  Sometimes I'm there 2 days a week, sometimes 3, and occasionally 4, but I love being there and working with my co-volunteers.  I do so wish I could find a job that would not interfere with my volunteer career and help me make ends meet, I would love to quit looking for a job and spend I my free time there.

Josh aka Dennis the Menace

Preston aka Eddy Haskel

Tomorrow I am going to get 2 more of my 13 grandchildren so they can spend some time with me.  This time it 2 boys, Preston and Josh.  They remind me of Eddy Haskel and Dennis the Menace, I'm a little worried how I will keep them entertained and out of trouble.  Say a little pray for me... Love'em both dearly.

I was so sorry to learn that Josh and Preston did not do what they needed to do to come see granmaw for about a week.  We can hope they will do what is necessary to make the trip next time.  I thinking about adding a little something extra if they will do what their mom and dad tell them too and get a little ahead on their homework, but they would have to be willing to wait until March or April for their visit.  I'm thinking we might go camping for a couple of days.  I would think the boys would like that....

Happy 2012

Stayed up till midnight with 2 of my granddaughters, Allison and Sara Ann.  We watched the Ball in New York, then the Moon Pie in Mississippi, have you ever eaten any of those...they are down right addicting.  We got some sparklers after Mass, so they had a glorious time "sparkling" as Sara called it for about 30 minutes into the New Year.  I was surprised to hear and see all the fireworks going off around us at midnight, I didn't realize so many people stayed up to bring in the New Year with a bang.  Our neighbors across the street apparently had couple of friends over, but they left about 12;15.  The party must have been really lacking in food, or fun for it to end  so quickly, the girls were "sparkling," and shouting  "Happy New Year" as the neighbor's friends left without a "Happy New Year" in reply, and the lights on their house went dark.
 Today on the menu is of Black-eyed peas, a southern tradition that is supposed to bring you, wealth, health and happiness. The rest of the meal will consist of Maple Mustard Pork Chops, Cheesy Grits (this a favorite of Allison's), Broccoli and Cheese and of course biscuits and syrup for desert.