Sew Boring

OK, I think it's safe to say I've hit a blog time low and I don't see things changing anytime soon. Honestly, there's just not much to share, just piddling and cleaning. I might, however, start a new quilt today since it's snowing like crazy, and I suppose I could finish one of my numerous unfinished home improvement projects.... or not. I don't know. Sew boring. tee hee hee

Here's something kind of fun and kind of not, that I've been doing these last couple of weeks. I've been experimenting with pizza doughs, and have come across a great recipe and tweaked it a bit. It's super easy and versatile.

FAST AND EASY, THICK AND CHEWY PIZZA DOUGH:

1/2 – 3/4 c. warm water

1 T. dry active yeast

1 t. sugar

2 c. bread flour (add a couple of tsp of gluten if you have it)

1 T. olive oil

1/2 t. salt

A handful of cornmeal

1. Combine 1/4 c. water with yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast, set aside until bubbly about 5 minutes.
2. Mix flour and salt, then add the oil.
3. Stir the yeast mixture into the flour mixture, adding water until it forms a ball you can work with. I start with a wooden spoon and then switch to using my fingers to squish and mix. Knead for a few minutes (I just knead it in the bowl). Cover with plastic wrap or another bowl and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
4. Spread the dough out on a surface sprinkled with cornmeal and shape into a round crust. Here's a tip from the original recipe (While messing around with the toppings–chopping things up, the dough rises enough. I don’t preheat the oven. Instead, I stick the pizza(s) in the oven with it cold, and let the crusts rise a little more as the oven heats up.) I use that tip for cinnamon rolls as well.
5. Put all the toppings on, brush the exposed crust with olive oil and bake at 400 or 425˚ 15 or 20 minutes or until done–I lift with a spatula to see if it’s brown on the bottom as well as watch the cheese).

This is the BEST pizza dough I've come across and it's seriously no fail. I made some last night in no time and topped mine with onions, olives, artichokes, peppers, feta and mozzarella cheeses. I didn't have mushrooms or fish however... bummer. There's nothing better than stinky, salty anchovies on pizza. YUMMMM!!! You could also roast garlic and knead it into the crust. I'll try that next time!

Boppy

For all you expecting or new moms out there-or better yet, friends of expecting or new moms out there, here is a tutorial I found on a sewing blog called, "Pressure Foot". I can't remember how I found this blog, but they have different sewing projects showcased monthly, with simple instructions and clear pictures. This one looks really easy. http://presserfoot.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-own-boppy.html

Coconut Cupcakes

Here's one of my most favorite recipes from one of my most favorite cooks and TV personalities, Ina Garten, aka "The Barefoot Contessa". Her recipes are typically simple and fresh, very delicious and somewhat old fashioned with a twist! This cupcake recipe, however, is a little difficult to make the first time, but don't let that discourage you!!! They are absolutely delicious and unique because of the almond extract she uses in both the batter and frosting.

COCONUT CUPCAKES

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

The Martha Show, and a Few More Good Blogs

I'm sitting here watching the Martha Stewart Show and cheering on Andrew Richie, who I told you about in my last post. He is a guest today, showcasing his blog, "Martha Moments" (the link is on my previous post) and is doing a great job! Hands down, he's the biggest Martha fan. I'm loving the other guests as well and added their blogs to my sidebar. Here they are for you to check out if you're interested:





The first is Jeff Blumenkrantz, who was inspired by the book, "Julie and Julia". His blog, "Jeff and Martha" http://jeffandmartha.blogspot.com/ chronicles his experiences cooking all of her recipes in her, "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" cookbook:

"Over the next year, I will take every "lesson" and cook every recipe in this gorgeous book, documenting my progress on this blog. I'm not going to go in any kind of logical order, like Julie did. It's going to be random, but I will be thorough and complete. And it is my hope that at the end of the twelve months, I will have achieved a new level of comfort, sophistication, and expertise in the kitchen, I will have fed the people in my life some beautiful food, and I will have, in some small way, incorporated into my own life Martha's amazing commitment to excellence."

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The next is a cooking blog called "Chez Pim". It is written by a very talented lady, Pim Techamuanvivit who is also the author of a wonderful book titled, "The Foodie Handbook". Her blog is full of beautiful pictures and lots of yummy recipes.

"Chez Pim chronicles her globetrotting adventures –and misadventures- in the world of all things edible, from vibrant street-side fares in Asia to the refined world of Three Michelin Star restaurants in Europe. Pim also cooks a mean pot of curry."

I can't wait to try her fig tart recipe!!! http://www.chezpim.com/blogs/


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Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman-Hutt have a blog literally split down the middle, much like their radio and television shows. This is a fun blog as well for people who like to cook and decorate. I LOVE watching people go through the process of creating and sort of living vicariously! There are really good recipes on this blog as well. http://www.whateverradio.com/website/blogs.php

Happy blogging!!!

Blogs of Interest

Here are a few good blogs that I have enjoyed over the past couple of weeks. So much so, I don't really care about posting anything new on mine.

The first is a fantastic wood working blog I found through Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" blog. It's called http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/. This girl has a passion for building and shares her talent by posting plans for various projects she finds in catalogues such as, Pottery Barn, Land of Nod, Restoration Hardware, etc.... Her plans are super easy to follow and are a fraction of the cost of the original! Check it out, you'll LOVE it!!!

The next is a relatively new blog started by Martha Stewart's friend and Senior Vice President/Executive Editorial Director/Executive Creative Director/ Merchandising for MSLO. His blog takes us through the moving in and remodeling process he's going through in his new, very beautiful apartment in New York City. It's just a fun blog for anyone interested in decorating and classic contemporary style. http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/

Last but not least, http://marthamoments.blogspot.com/. Andrew Richie is one hard core Martha fan.... way more informed and dedicated than I am! He keeps me updated on all the new Martha products, and has a fantastic archive of everything Martha. This is how he describes his blog. "Martha Stewart news, resources and events with original essays on lifestyle topics. Have your Martha moment right here!" AND, this Thursday morning, he will be making cards with Martha Kostyra Stewart, on her show! I can't wait to watch.

The More Things Change...

I can't help but get a little nostalgic around the holidays. Watching the kids open presents and play with their new toys and gadgets brings back so many fun memories of doing the same things with, many of the very same toys and gadgets.... well, modified a bit! Maybe things haven't changed much after all.

Two of the toys I remember most when I was really little are of course, "Easy Bake Oven" and "Sew Easy". These are both available today, again, slightly modified, but still just as fun for kids and just as annoying for parents, because they require constant supervision. Not that I mind playing with my kids, I just think it's more fun for kids to play with other kids, learning together, with other kids.

Underoos were an AWESOME gift, and I especially loved the hard to find "Super girl" ones. The "Wonder woman" underoos were pretty cool too, but came with a bunchy undershirt instead of a bra-like top. Unfortunately they aren't available today, but there are many other cartoon/toy themed underpants for kids to enjoy.... it's just too bad they're not as cool as underoos.

I also loved playing with little dolls and figures. I was obsessed with Barbie, but when I was feeling a little more granola, "The Sunshine Family" was just the ticket. I loved their Walton's-like clothing and creepy round eyes. Today my girls love Barbie as well, but I don't think there's anything like "The Sunshine Family"on the market. Now the stores carry other dolls like those "Bratz" dolls that look like little prostitutes.

-Another one of my all-time favorites were "The Little People" play sets. Most of mine were hand-me-downs, so I had the super vintage cool sets like the barn with the sliding loft doors, but I do remember getting a new set of the Sesame Street figures in the early 80's and loving them! "Little People" dolls are still sold today.

Barbie was probably my most favorite toy ever, but along with the dolls, I LOVED the "Barbie Fashion Maker". Using the embossed plastic plates, carbon paper, and hand crank, you could design a limitless number of high fashion sketches and then color them however you pleased. This toy is still being made, but much improved. You don't need the carbon paper anymore, so there isn't a big mess, with black fingerprints and smudges everywhere.

Most of us at one time or another, ended up with a "Cabbage Patch Doll". These were not my favorites, but I begged my mom for one anyway because, well, everyone else had them. Much like those ridiculous "Silly Bands" or "Web kins" of today.

When I was around 12 years old, we got a Nintendo for Christmas. I vividly remember that morning, opening up the package with my sister and screaming in delight. We then spent the rest of the day playing "Super Mario Bro." and trying like heck to rescue the princess after a couple bowls of "Nut & Honey Crunch" cereal for breakfast. We didn't make much progress, but after several hundred hours of practice, we not only saved the princess, but became hands down, the "Super Mario Bro." champions of the world. Unbelievably, my parents still have this Nintendo and it still works. Once in a while, Candice and I show off our mad "Mario" skills for the family, but most of the time our kids play with it. Funny too, considering with all the high speed gaming systems of today, "Super Mario Bro." on the original Nintendo still rocks the house!

Later during our teen years, I wanted more sophisticated and mature things, like "Jelly Shoes", "Multiples" (that line of versatile clothing that could be a skirt... or a top... or a tube scarf... or a hat... or a belt... or a spaghetti strainer) and cool hair accessories/gadgets. Clairol's "Benders" worked really well on dry permed hair like mine and made it much easier keep my banana clips in. I don't think much has changed. Teens today are still wearing really cool clothes and sensible shoes.