Because, PIZZA!

Breakfast, lunch, dinner...PIZZA. I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm stressed...PIZZA. It's early, it's late, I'm bored...PIZZA. And the most often--I don't know what to make for dinner..PIZZA!!

Pizza is the best. It's easy, everyone likes it, and you can get it from anywhere. But the best place is from your very own kitchen. My kids are not picky eaters but they still have varied tastes. They are, for the most part, easy to please and will smile wide when I shove my next experimental recipe in front of them at dinner time. 

When we decide to order pizza out, it's usually much more difficult than it should be. Mostly because we have a non-cheese eater...yes, you read that right, MY daughter doesn't like cheese. Not all cheese, she will eat small portions of SOME kinds of cheese, but if she eats take-out pizza she peels all the cheese off (with most of the toppings of course) where they sit in a little pile and congeal while she nibbles on hot crust and sauce. Solution? I make my own pizza at home. It's cheaper, it tastes better, and I can customize the toppings to make everyone happy. I mean, you could toss just about anything on a pizza crust and it will be delicious. But that's because you have to have good crust. And good crust starts with good dough. And because I know you all are pizza-loving fools like me, I'm going to share with you the absolute BEST recipe for pizza dough you will ever try. It will make you want to throw out all your take-out pizza menus (except for the one for The Pie because, well, The Pie). It's that good.

This dough is amazing because it can not fail. And it's the same recipe for different flavor and textures. The only difference is the time you let it sit. You could make this dough before you go to bed one night and just let it sit on the counter and get super puffy and airy while you work all day, and then come home and be ready to bake the best pizza of your life. Or, you can start it in the morning before work, get a good 10-12 hour sit and have a delicious chewy crust. And then of course, you can stare into your cupboards and fridge repeatedly hoping some inspiration will hit and when it doesn't just think, whatever. This is dumb. I'm just gonna make a pizza. All scenarios will work with this recipe. It gets better the longer it sits, but really, it's perfect regardless.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all purpose flour (I have only tried this with half wheat flour, I think full wheat flour might be

a little dense. You would probably need to let it sit over night to really get  some air into it)

Yeast: overnight technique you'll need 1/8 a teaspoon (20+ hrs), all day method (12hrs) 1/4 a           teaspoon, and the quick method (6hrs) 1/2 teaspoon

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup hot water

DIRECTIONS:

I am OCD so I always proof my yeast. I just have to make sure it's alive before I add my flour. I get too nervous otherwise. But really you could just toss all this into a bowl and set it down to rise. I add my hot water to the bowl and then I sprinkle the yeast over the top. I wait a few minutes to confirm that my yeast is waking up, then I add the salt and the flour. You don't have to knead this dough, in fact, you want it to be a little craggy--that means, kind of chunky and stretchy. This will just add texture later. So whether you mix by hand or with a stand mixer, you only want to mix until just combined.

Then you put it somewhere out of the way and you let it sit. Overnight, all day, or for a few hours. I've never tried freezing this dough but I'm sure it would work fine. Just separate into two lumps and wrap well with plastic wrap and label with the date. When you were ready just defrost and let sit for your desired time and then prep as usual.

When your dough is ready, you only have to separate the dough into equal parts and roll out on a flat, lightly floured surface into your desired shape, transfer to the baking pan, poke some holes in the dough with a fork so you don't get bubbles when it bakes. Top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings and then bake. I usually grease my pizza pans with some olive oil and then sprinkle with some corn meal to give it that authentic texture on the bottom. I would recommend spraying your pans with some kind of non-stick spray or oil but the corn meal is optional.

This dough bakes best HOT. Very HOT. This will be like taste like a brick oven pizza when you're done. So you want to turn your oven up as hot as it will go--500-550 degrees. I usually start my first pizza around 550 and by the last pizza when the oven is good and hot, I drop the temp to 500 degrees and cook the last one. They only need to bake for about 8-10 minutes each. I always double the recipe and make four pizzas very easily.

This crust is so delicious! Sometimes I just brush some olive oil over the top and sprinkle with some Parmesan and make bread sticks, or cheesy bread, or a just sauce pizza for my sweet but strange little lady. You can do anything to this dough and it will be amazing.

I hope you try it and love it as much as me and my family do!

Proofing the yeast

It's alive!!!

this is what craggy looks like

after about 8 hours

prep your toppings

Make your sauce or used canned

roll out the dough or hand toss

put dough on pans and poke with a fork

Spread the sauce

TOPPINGS!

BAKE!

ADMIRE!

DEVOUR!

The Promise

Raising kids is tough. There's no argument to that statement. Being a good wife is even more tough. Kids are easily appeased by staying up an extra half hour or when we have dessert after dinner. The husband isn't going to be swayed that easily (well, maybe softened up a bit because of the no doubt delish dessert I've served in this imaginary setting). Being a nurse trumps them both. It is the toughest. And that is because it's in a category all it's own. There's nothing to compare it to. It just is.

When I decided I wanted to be a nurse, I was in elementary school. And it was strictly because I thought it would be cool to use needles and glass bottles. Nurses were perceived in my mind always with an antique glass syringe filled with a green liquid sloshing around, ready for their patient. And they got to use a stethoscope which was super awesome. We had a plastic Fisher-Price medical kit when I was young and I loved to loop it around my neck. When you have a bright yellow stethoscope around your neck with a black foam bell you just feel more important, like there's really emergent things you must attend too. I guess I went into nursing because I wanted to be important to people. I could help them when they needed me most.

I've now become a nurse. It's a very rewarding job. I never have the same day twice in a row, it's always changing from one minute to the next which can add to the stress but also keeps my mind sharp. I have never stopped learning and I will never stop learning. Everyday I gain some kind of knowledge I didn't possess the last shift I worked. I've been able to meet some very interesting people, I've heard the most amazing stories about the lives of these strangers I attend too. I meet their families and shake hands with them. I listen to anecdotes and life lessons they want to pass along to me. I see pictures of their pets and learn about their jobs and their education. It's all very intimate in those closed patient room settings where for twelve hours I am their link to getting better.

But sometimes, getting better just isn't in the cards. Sometimes, my job is just getting my patient comfortable.

I recently cared for a woman who was very sick. She had a laundry list of medical issues, any one of which would be a hard way to live but she had those and then some. She had been away from her husband and family for nearly a year trying to get well enough to travel home to their remote town in another state. The medical resources were not available to her if she were to go home so she moved from hospital to care center and back again, hoping to gain enough strength to travel.

Another set-back deterred her plan and she ended up in my care. I knew this was going to be a tough case. I spoke with her husband and assured him that she was ill but we were hopeful we had intervened quickly and that with time, she would be well again. He was cautiously optimistic and explained that he was twelve hours away so he wanted to be notified immediately if her condition changed so that he could start the drive.

I cared for the woman the next day and she seemed to be doing a little better in some ways, worse in others but I could feel that her heart just wasn't in it anymore. She was tearful, frustrated and sometimes a little mean. I knew she was angry and alone and that she really just wanted to go home. Later that evening her breathing became more labored and we had to support her more with increased oxygen and a face mask. She was unable to speak well with the mask in place so she wrote a note on a paper attached to a clipboard to communicate her needs. She wrote, "Call my husband. He promised."

I had no clue what that meant but I called her husband anyway. I told him what she'd written and he was very quiet. He explained that she had him promise that when she knew the time was right, he would let her go. He told me he was leaving that night to come to the hospital.

The next morning he arrived and spoke with the physician on duty that day. We developed a treatment plan and began to withdraw supportive care. I kept her comfortable, supported her husband as best I could, and before long she passed.

It was only afterwards that I really thought about that promise they made to one another. The promise that had him drop everything and drive twelve hours to be by her side. It would have been very easy for us to continue our medical interventions and once she was well enough, send her back to the care facility to continue rehabilitation. But that's not what she wanted. And he was strong enough to let her go.

I'm in awe of the strength I see in people everyday. I can't imagine and don't want to know what that would feel like to make the decision to let a loved one pass. I've had people tell me, "Being a nurse is so hard, I don't know how you do it." Being a nurse is tough. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I think being a patient is much harder, being a family member watching someone you love be sick, be in pain, or hold their hand while they pass, is a much harder thing to do. My job, in comparison is very easy. I get to wield shiny needles and long syringes with fancy liquid inside, I get to play with glass bottles full of goo and wear a stethoscope around my neck. I get to punch out at the end of the day and return home to my healthy husband and kids. My job is hard. But it's just a job. And the promises I make are thankfully, very easy to fulfill. I promise to be a good mom. I promise to be a good wife. I promise to be a good nurse.

Dressing Room

I was out on a solo shopping excursion the other day. While trying on some clothes in the dressing room, I listened to a woman in the room next to mine, who was with her three small children. She was trying on dresses for a wedding. Her kids were sitting on a bench just outside the dressing room and after changing she would open the door and ask her kids "What do you think about this one? Is it pretty? Do you think it looks nice enough for a wedding?" Her kids were giving her lots of compliments and advice, "Oh mama, you look so pretty!" "Oh yes, you are like a princess in that one!" "I like that one, Mama, but I want you to try on the butterfly one next because that's the one I picked out for you!"

Their exchange made me smile in my small square room. Although I'm at the point in my life where I get to shop quite often without children in tow, I realized in that moment how sometimes I miss having my little fashion critics with me; trying on clothes and having my own kids ohhhh, and ahhhh over each item of clothing, commenting on how beautiful I looked. My kids have always been my biggest fans, my loudest cheerleaders, and my greatest supporters. Trying on clothes has always made me feel vulnerable, especially if my task is to find a pair of jeans in a bigger size...depressing. But I remember outings when even though I was discouraged, my kids were In awe of me--yes Mom, that dress, you are prettier than ever in that one!

When kids are small they require a lot of time--time for snuggles, time for reading, time for cooking, cleaning, picking out new shoes and going to doctor's appointments. Work schedules and holidays revolve around them. And even though it seems like it's a never-ending balancing act, I realized it's so incredibly temporary, fleeting in fact. And though I still recall those stressful early years with three small children fighting for my constant attention, it's standing alone in a dressing room, unsure whether these jeans go well with this sweater, that I miss that era of my life. I need my kids just as surely as they need me. And that is what happens as time moves forward. I thought my kids needed me most, but I understand now that perhaps I needed them too and that I'll always need them. And one day, probably soon, I will need them more than they will need me. And I hope I will be OK with that. Because right now, in this second, I really need another opinion on these jeans...

All about the Beans...

Mexican food. Two words that send shivers down my spine and set my salivary glands into overdrive. In all it's forms, I love it. Smother any kind of food with beans and cheese and some kind of hot sauce and I will no doubt annihilate it. And luckily, my kids love it too. They've been known to eat salsa that can't be tolerated by grown adults due to the heat. I have successfully ensured that my DNA has transmitted to my offspring and I feel raging success as a mother when one of them states, "I think it needs more jalapenos!" 

Who can forget Home Simpson's tango with the Guatemalan Insanity Pepper

Additional benefits to our beloved Mexican food is that it's typically very easy to prepare and it's low-cost. Even the husband can make tacos on night's I work. We lovingly refer to those meals as, "Dad Dinners" and it includes rotations of all things burrito, taco, and spaghetti have to offer. I do my best in assisting where I can to make sure Dad Dinners are a success. This means keeping the fridge stocked with homemade pinto beans and enchilada sauce.

Beans are a big part of our diet. With over half the family vegetarian, I'm constantly trying to ensure that we get protein where we can and beans are a great source of protein and fiber. Plus, they're cheap. When I was in nursing school and we were dead broke, we utilized food stamps and the WIC program while the kids were small. It saved us. There's no way we would have been able to make it through those years without it. The WIC program is wonderful. On the monthly vouchers in addition to milk, cheese, and eggs, you can get a one pound bag of dried beans--which means I learned to cook beans. All kinds of beans. And I learned to cook them very well (and this was a time before Pinterest, gasp!) In fact, I rarely purchase canned beans because buying dry beans in bulk and cooking them myself is much less expensive and much less wasteful, in my opinion. And you just can't beat the flavor! They can take some time, but with a nice crock pot handy, you can set some beans to cook and by the time you're home from work you have a delicious meal ready to go.

On to the subject of canned food. I love it. It's convenient, it has a great shelf life. It's great for food storage and it's perfect to have around when you need food quick. BUT, there are certain foods that for the quality and price it's just not worth it. Cue the enchilada sauce. Canned enchilada sauce is pretty pricey, usually costing around 2-3 dollars a can and it's mostly red-colored sugar water. Even the organic brands tend to be flavorless and runny. Enchilada sauce is perfect for spicing up soups, stews, and sauces. Shoot, my enchilada sauce is so delicious, you can just dip chips in it like salsa! The kids like to spread it on a tortilla with a sprinkle of cheese and nuke it in the microwave for a quick lunch or snack. You can double this recipe and keep some on stand by in the fridge or you can make a huge batch and can it in your own jars. Whatever you do MAKE THIS ENCHILADA SAUCE. I'm telling you it will change your life.

It's easy to get caught up in the hectic day-to-day life. I fall victim to the "cold cereal for dinner" nights just like everyone else (please tell me someone else gives up mid week and serves Lucky Charms for dinner...) but I've found that if I make time even once a week to knock out some homemade meal starters, the rest of the week seems to be much less stressful. I hope you try these recipes and that they find a regular rotation in your household!

ROUNDSHOUSE BEANS

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups/1 lb dried pinto beans
1 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste)
2 tsp cumin
2 chili's from a chili in adobe sauce can (buy a small can in the Hispanic food section)
2 Tbsp ketchup (this adds the vinegar/tomato flavor)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Rinse your beans of dirt and throw out any weird-looking beans
2. Put beans into a large stock pot or put into your trusty crock pot
3. Add enough water to your pot to immerse beans completely
4. Add the rest of the ingredients
5. Simmer in the pot until the beans are soft (2 hrs-ish) or turn the crock pot to the medium setting (4-6hrs). Check the pot often and add more water if needed so the beans don't burn. You want a low and slow cook. You can add lots of heat if you want--jalapenos, dashes of hot sauce or even a jar of salsa! When the beans are cooked they are great whole, or you can process in a food processor or blender ( I use my Vitamix for a re-fried bean texture. My family likes it half and half so I keep half the batch whole beans and mix the blended beans into the whole beans...perfect! My son typically eats just bowls of beans...for breakfast.

RACHEL'S RIDICULOUS ENCHILADA SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp cooking oil (I use an olive oil/canola oil blend)
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Tbsp Chili Powder (a good brand is typically found near the Hispanic foods at the grocery store, not             by the regular spices, sometimes it comes in plastic bags instead of the shaker)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp oregano
1 14 oz can of tomato sauce + water to make 2 1/4 cups liquid

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir together over the heat for one minute until you have cooked the flour a bit. Stir in the remaining seasonings. This is the best part because it smells amazing! I typically dump the tomato sauce into my 4 cup glass measuring cup and then fill the can with water and add it to the sauce until you measure 2 1/4 cup of liquid. Then gradually add in the tomato sauce and the water, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick.

Add to your favorite taco, enchilada or burrito recipe! Drizzle on chips or nachos! Add sour cream and beans for a hot bean dip! The possibilities are endless! Can be stored for about two weeks in an air tight container, or can be canned for later use.

You'll fill up on bread!

So, I'm just gonna let you all know (if you didn't already) that I'm a bit of a geek.

Ok, ok so A LOT of a geek. I still collect toys and I'm approaching middle age status. I love cartoons and sci-fi. I live and breathe Doctor Who (which could have it's own post all together) and my wardrobe when compared to my 14 year old's is pretty much identical (all t-shirts, all movies, TV shows and bands) minus my work scrubs.

And I don't care.

It appears that my pop culture obsessions have found their way into my baking. It seems not only do I like to quote movies and TV shows incessantly, but I also name my recipes after them. See what I mean? Geek girl.

One of my favorite shows of the last few years airs on Cartoon Network and is called "Regular Show." It is beyond hysterical. It follows the misadventures of two best friends Mordecai (a blue jay) and Rigby (a racoon) as they work and live at a park. There are a smattering of other delightful characters who interact with these two and believe me, hilarity ensues. Luckily, I don't have to feel too alone in my obsession because my kids also enjoy this show and it has made it's way into our regular rotation of binge watching as well as quotable lines repeated daily.

One episode titled "Cruisin" Mordecai and Rigby are watching a movie that shows two dudes each getting a girl's phone number via "cruising" (i.e. driving around in a car and picking up on ladies). Mordecai and Rigby think they can get some digits using the same technique, only their female counterparts Margaret (a cardinal) and Eileen (a beaver) think there's no way they can get numbers from just driving around. They decide to make a bet between the four of them. If Mordecai and Rigby get a girl's phone number by cruisin' then Margaret and Eileen have to buy dinner for them. If not, the guys have to buy dinner for Margaret and Eileen. Part way through the episode, Margaret and Eileen can be seen perusing an upscale restaurant menu, teasing the boys on the price of the food they are going to order when they win the bet. Mordecai, frustrated, yells at them, "You'll fill up on bread!" Hilarious.

Now whenever I bake bread, you guessed it, my kids will quote, "You'll fill up on bread!" which also happens to be the name of my Pinterest board where I pin all of my bread recipes if you'd like to follow me.

The bread that gets the most quotes is now called my Mordecai Bread. It's so delicious and extremely easy. It's a variation of "peasant bread" recipes which derive their name from the fact that they take very few ingredients, and that there's no kneading. It's a very basic, "poor man's" bread. The best part is that only you will know how easy this bread is to make while everyone  else will think you spent hours and hours perfecting each loaf. Shhhh!

Please enjoy this recipe for my Mordecai Bread!

MORDECAI BREAD

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 tsp dry yeast (or one package)
2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
4 cups all purpose flour (you could do 1/2 AP, 1/2 wheat flour)

Optional: 1 egg white or some melted butter for topping, you can also sprinkle some garlic salt over the top for a delicious garlic bread...)


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the sugar and warm water together so the sugar dissolves
2. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 10 minutes to proof
3. Then add your salt and flour and mix until just combined. It's OK if it's a little craggy, it will just add delicious texture. Do NOT knead!
4. Let is rise in a warm place until doubled
5. After rising, separate the dough into two round lumps and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Let them rise again until doubled
6. Turn on your oven and preheat to 425 degrees
7. Once your dough has risen, this is the time to gently brush the tops with some butter or egg white and then sprinkle with garlic powder or salt.
8. Bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven) or until golden brown.
9. You won't even need a knife--when I serve this to my hungry brood I just plop the rounds in a basket or plate and let everyone tear off big chunks for dipping in soup or olive oil and balsamic vinegar!

You will never buy bread rounds from the bakery again! I promise you!
I hope your family loves Mordecai Bread as much as we do!