Sunday, March 1, 2009

Weekend Cooking

The last few weeks have been full of new recipes and techniques to try at my house, including the Daring Bakers February challenge yesterday. I’ve been so busy this week that I’m just now posting last weekend’s cooking adventure. From pizza to crème brûlée, each was a new and delightful experience.

No Knead Pizza Dough

Moving on from Jim Lahey’s No Knead Bread project, I tried his No Knead Pizza Dough recipe last Saturday night.




First I studied how to toss pizza dough before beginning the recipe. In this video, Chef Michael Kalanty from the California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu Program, San Francisco, demonstrates the process.



© Dub Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


I tried Chef Kalanty’s technique, throwing pizza dough around my kitchen like a mad woman.


© Dub Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


After the tossing adventure, the dough was suitably situated on my pizza stone. I was a little worried at first as the dough is so sticky and behaved a bit like Silly Putty, wanting to resort to its original shape. Finally I managed to put it in its place—after all, I explained to my husband, I’m the one in charge, not the pizza dough.

Pepperoni, mozzarella, and a handful of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers were added and the ensuing concoction made for some yummy homemade pizza.

Menu for Oscars Night

Thanks to Anna’s post about her Valentine’s night dinner, I was able to borrow her menu to create a special dinner to celebrate the Oscars last Sunday. We enjoyed:


© Dub Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


I actually missed the Oscars since so much time was spent on the dinner, but Saucy’s “Oscar Dress Rundownpost brought me up to speed.




Here’s another tutorial I watched in order to make the crème brûlée as demonstrated by Chef Marc Bauer of the French Culinary Institute. I love
YouTube—you can learn all kinds of things.

6 comments:

a pink-bee said...

Oh my gosh !!! I didn't know you were blogging again ~ Happy dance :) That pizza looks wonderful I WIll try that recipe :) Thanks :)
crystal

Anonymous said...

you do that like a real pro June! I make homemade pizza and pizza crust every Friday -- it's a bit of a tradition for my husband and me. Although I've been making the no knead artisan bread I've continued to make the standard kneading yeast dough for pizza. I may give this a try too!

Oh great, I was going to comment on something else you said but now I forget what it was -- darn. Oh well, nuff said anyway :)

Thimbleanna said...

You're hysterical June! Did that pizza dough ever hit the ceiling LOL??? Your creme brulee looks fantastic -- I always seem to have a bit of trouble carmelizing that sugar on top. I'm so glad you enjoyed the menu!

ReminisceHeirlooms said...

I think it is so cool you were throwing the dough! Well done and fun post!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your pizza toss photo reminds me of when we had a pizza making Daring Baker assignment a few months ago June! I cropped the photo of me tossing the dough so much so my open mouth of fear didn't appear ..lol

Your pizza looks yummy and the Oscar party food sound divine! I never thought to look for cooking tutorials on Youtube!

!0 to 12 inches of snow is supposed to fall here tonight ...yikes! I'll be shoveling all day!

Hugs, Pat

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

going back to hospital
Hi darlings,just visiting and to let y'all know I will be going back to hospital Monday to have a kidney removed.hope to be back home in a few weeks and get to talk and visit with y'all.I miss being on here to chat and see what everyone is doing and creating.xxoo

This is Dusty,one of Mama's daughters.She has had a really bad night with the pain,If any of her friends here would like to see a donation in a small creation of art , cards or money it would be greatly appreciated. Her hospital bills and meds are running high.Thank you for any thoughts.
It can be sent to
Jessie LaVon
p.o.box 854
Demopolia ,Alabama 36732