dandyapple: 10/01/2008

Happy Halloween

I have the sniffles, and a treasury show off

Sorry about the lack of posts. I have been a bit under the weather this week. I haven't listed anything new at the shop either, but I did just finish up a very fun necklace. And I have several things that are ready to list, but all I want to do right now is get back in my jammies, curl up with my tissues and orange juice, and watch old movies.

Something that does make me feel a bit better is that starvingartistdsgns was kind enough to include one of my collages in this lovely yet eerie treasury. Be sure to check it out before it ends on Saturday afternoon.

Busy Friday. Post and Run.

Just listed at dandyapple.

Easy and quick homemade pizza

Homemade pizza in thirty minutes.
1.Roll out dough (see this post about my always ready dough supply)
2.Make "sauce" A splash of olive oil, herbs, a dash of kosher salt, and crushed garlic
3.Place dough on cornmeal sprinkled stone and brush with oil mixture. Pre-bake crust for about 10 minutes. I like a nice thick crust. A thinner crust might not need any pre-baking.
4.Watch it get all puffy
5.Cut tomato. Well, when I cut into my tomato it was no good, so luckily I keep a stash of back up tomatoes on hand.
6.Apply tomatoes
7.Apply cheese and fresh basil from windowsill. I keep shredded cheese on hand just for quick weeknight meals like this.
8.Bake about 10 more minutes
9.Yum Yum

There you have it. 100% homemade pizza that is easy peezy, quicker and cheaper than delivery and much much tastier that frozen. And only one dish to clean, and its a tiny ramekin so it really doesn't count. Of course, I go all out and make fancy pizzas, too, but for a weeknight meal, this cant be beat. Also, since I have two stones in the oven, I always make two at a time. Just as quick and we have yum yum leftovers.

Now I am off to try a new spicey corn soup recipe and homemade buttermilk buscuits. Will let you know how it turns out.

Life changing recipe

As promised, here is the info on the recipe that has literally changed my life. At the beginning of this year, I was listening to an episode of The splendid table when I heard a fellow named Jeff Hertzberg discussing his new book Artisan bread in five minutes a day Being a die hard breadaholic, the interview immediately sparked my interest. He was declaring that you could mix up a batch of bread dough, not even knead it, and keep it for up to two weeks to use whenever and however you see fit.

I promptly tried out the "master recipe" expecting an absolute failure. I formed and baked a small loaf to have with dinner. I say, it was the best bread I have ever made in my life. I admit, I am no master baker, but I do know my way around a mixing bowl. And once again it was absolutely the best bread I had ever made. It was crusty, chewy, it smelled fantastic, it tasted fantastic, and it was pretty. It looked just like the picture on the cover of the book. Now for the nitty griity on making the "master recipe" and a little history on how Jeff and coauthor Zoë François developed this process.

I have been using this method for nearly a year now, and it really has changed my life. I always have bread dough ready to make what ever concoction I can dream up. From pizza to french boules to ciabatta buns I have made it all. No more planning to make bread. I can do it at the spur of the moment. No more lugging out the bread machine and waiting an hour, for it to make a less than spectacular dough.

A few things I must say. You REALLY need the baking stone. Jeff and Zoë recommend regular all purpose flour. I like a mixture of King Author bread flour and King Author AP flour and reduce the amount in the recipe by about a half a cup. The bread flour has a higher protein content and results in a denser chewier crumb, which I happen to prefer.

One of the most amazing things to me, is that Zoë and Jeff have generously distributed the foundation for the book. The "master recipe". You don't have to buy their book, to begin using their method of bread baking. However, the book is absolutely worth it. There are so many recipes and other doughs that it really is a nice cookbook to add to your collection.

More on using it as the base for my pizza coming up soon.

Etsy Friday Finds

Here are a few handmade craftsman/arts and crafts inspired goodies that need a new home at the dandy bungalow.

I love the earthy colors in this soap dish by LaPellaPottery.

I need this tile by GretchenKramp That is all there is to it. Actually, I think I need two, to accent the golden/mustard colored field tiles on my fireplace.