Frolicks in Frozen Dough

We used to buy frozen dough for pizzas, calzones, garlic knots, and other things.  It was around $1.50 for each baggie, and we would make 2 personal pizzas out of it.  It was pretty inexpensive, and the ingredient list was short.  

That didn't stop me from wanting to make it from scratch.  I mean, I have a zillion kitchen gadgets, how hard could it be?!

Answer?  Not hard at all.  

I gathered the ingredients:  3 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup water, a squeeze of honey,  a splash of olive oil, 2 t yeast, and some grinds of salt. 

The breadmaker was the appliance of choice.  It kneads, lets it rise, punches it down, and lets it rise again.  So I threw it all in the pan.  

It kneaded, rose, was punched, and rose again.

When it was all finished, I put it into a baggie.  Mission complete.

>

Starting a Plan...

John and I will hopefully be moving this month.  Our apartment is a wreck right now, with boxes everywhere.  I am not motivated to cook a single thing.  Today I started to pack John's lunch, and realized we did not have a single thing he could eat.  I felt like such a failure as a wife!  By the way, it is still SO WEIRD to say "wife" and be referring to myself.  

In light of the chaos, I am trying to pat myself on the back for what I AM able to do.  I also wanted to keep track of the things I make from scratch so in the new house I can develop a schedule.  I don't ever want to wind up like we did today. 

A List of Home Made Things.

• Bread
• Yogurt
• Granola
• Granola Bars
• Hummus
• Baba Ghanoush
• Waffles
• Chicken Stock
• Crackers
• Vegetable Stock
• Fish Stock
• Beef Stock
• Peanut Butter
• Almond Butter
• Potato Chips
• Apple Chips
• Baking Mix (Bisquick Type)

>

Ingredient Cookin'

Today's post will be dedicated to.... making expensive fancy ingredients at home!  Featuring...... Infused Olive Oils and Jarred Roasted Peppers!

Meet our first guest, garlic infused olive oil.  Created by simply saute-ing some chopped up garlic in a pan of olive oil (The bottle it was destined to live in was filled with the oil to measure the amount, then that oil was poured into the pan.)

When the aroma of garlic filled the air, the mixture was funneled back into the bottle. 

The garlic may have clogged said funnel at times.

The process was repeated for our second guest, pepper oil.  The garlic was replaced by red pepper flakes. 

Our third guest comes to you from a jar.  John has been known to love roasted peppers, but the are a bit on the pricey side to buy.  Fortunately, raw peppers are a great price!

To make roasted peppers:

Slice bell peppers.  We chose yellow and orange, but any color will do. 

Brush the peppers lightly with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet (it is not necessary to arrange them like this, but it looks pretty!)

Broil the little buggers until the skins are blackened.  Then stick them in a plastic bag.  I've heard this helps the skins fall off, but I'm not sure. 

Peel off the skins and add to a jar.  Fill with olive oil.  Celebrate.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post! 

>