Kitchen lust

[gfrancie]

I made pizza last night. I told Mr. Jenner that we may start having pizza once a week while I work hard to perfect making pizza dough. Making pizza dough is easy enough but to make great pizza dough and to cook it just so? That takes some serious practice. I am also trying variations on the basic recipe. Different flours, different measurements. By the time I am satisfied I will make Italians envious. Or something.
I made one pizza with mushrooms, prosciutto and chevre. The other one had some homemade pesto, large crushed cloves of garlic, gruyere and a light crumbling of chevre. Mr. Jenner found he preferred that one as the tomato base on the other pizza was a touch too spicy for him.
I was happier with how this week's crust turned out. It still isn't perfect but we are getting there.

I also made Ross cookies yesterday. Mmmmm ross cookies. I am coming closer to what I want to make with the ice cream. It may involve cardamom and walnuts. It might need something else. Sometimes I just open up my cupboards and stare really really really hard at what is on the shelves. I then hope something stands out.

For dinner tonight I am making Indian food. I have chicken marinating in yogurt, garlic and some spices I mixed together. I will cook that up with a sauce, make some naan and some curried fried potatoes. Mr. Jenner isn't a keen fan of Indian food but he likes what I make. He likes spice, he just isn't a fan of heat. Understandable.

I think Senor Onion read my livejournal. He has been waking up at a much more reasonable hour. Thank you Pudding. Your Mother appreciates it.

Comments

[carrieann.livejournal.com]

We cheat and buy the baggies of pre-made pizza dough from Trader Joe's. Makes tasty calzones, too.

I could eat Indian food every day of the week, though share in Andrew's feelings regarding spice vs heat. I don't mind a little, but there's a point where it makes everything taste bitter and unpalatable to me.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I have seen those bags of dough and I keep thinking, "wonder if those are any good." Maybe I should try that sometime.

I think a little heat can be good but it is like some Thai food, when it is nothing but heat it seems like the food can suffer. (along with my tongue) I want to go to Preets in Redmond. I keep reading how their snacky food and sweets are amazing.

[bliss-street.livejournal.com]

Pizza at least once a week is the key to a long and happy life.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I can't see any problems with it!

[sarahparah.livejournal.com]

You said something the other day about cardamom and pistachios that sounded like a really good idea.

I wonder of saffron & pistachios would work?

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I may go the pistachio next time.
I bet the saffron would give it a distinctive color.

[jillithian.livejournal.com]

I think my favorite pizza was from a little hole-in-the-wall place in Rome. I didn't speak Italian and only the one girl in the kitchen spoke English. It was just before the lunch rush and they were just putting out the freshly baked pizza as we walked in. After some confused discussion, I pointed at a slice with something odd looking on it (well, odd for the typical American, I guess). That first bite was heavenly.

I'd never had eggplant before, but oh it was sooooo good... :)

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Those people know how to make some serious pizza -usually the best is in the hole in the wall places.

[cogshiftingman.livejournal.com]

Are you using semolina flour in the dough?

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Sometimes. There are so many different opinions on that in different parts of Italy.

[cogshiftingman.livejournal.com]

I've tried many recipes over the years, and so will be interested to hear what you come up with. I didn't find semolina was necessary. I always use honey instead of sugar. I used to think that the secret was a very hot oven indeed, but now I'm not so sure.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I am trying it with semolina and regular flour this week so I will take notes. I should start asking people what they think the ideal conditions should be.

[agentsculder.livejournal.com]

Homemade pizza is great. I wish I had a good recipe for dough myself. I have made it, but it never comes out how I'd like it. However, I do have a fabulous way to top truly excellent pizza dough: you top the dough with caramelized onions that have been mized up with mashed up roasted garlic. Then sprinkle on top chopped prosciutto, some dried thyme, and cracked pepper. When the pizza comes out of the oven, sprinkle with goronzola cheese and allow to melt.

I call it, "I Don"t Have A Boyfriend" pizza.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

That sounds like some sexy pizza.

[lilgrrllost.livejournal.com]

A good pizza crust is hard ... luckily for me I dated a few lovely Italian boys in my day whose mom's liked me. They taught me a bit. I am also Italian, but my mother never cooked. lol

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Even Italians can make so-so pizza. It is kind of fun and theraputic to make pizza. I need to look through the kitchen and see what kind of pizza I will make this week.