Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Enticing Challenge.

I was reading Clotilde's blog,
Chocolate and Zucchini and her latest
entry is about breadmaking.

Specifically, something called the
Bread Baker's Apprentice Challenge.
or BBA for short. Right now,
all kinds of folks are participating.

All you need is a kitchen and a copy
of Peter Reinhart's book,
"The Bread Baker's Apprentice".
You can follow online to keep track of
others progress and post your own.


















I may have to try this. As bread baking is something
that I have always wanted to do.
This will be the perfect time to start.

Monday, September 28, 2009

New Cards

Just finished up my halloween cards!
Here is a preview.















These should be on etsy by tomorrow.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I feel like my Mom Mom

very kitchen savvy.

I made pita bread today,
and it was ridiculously easy!!















This is definitely a culinary milestone for me.
(please keep in mind that I could not cook
2 years ago) So things slowly have been
coming together in the kitchen.

this is the recipe I used.
No modifications were necessary.
Just add hummus.

  • 1 package of yeast, or quick rising yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup lukewarm water

Preparation:

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water.
Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
Let sit for 10-15 minutes until water is frothy.

Combine flour and salt in large bowl.

Make a small depression in the middle of flour
and pour yeast water in depression.

Slowly add 1 cup of warm water, and stir with
wooden spoon or rubber spatula until elastic.

PLace dough on floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.
When the dough is no longer stick and is smooth and elastic,
it has been successfully kneaded.

Coat large bowl with vegetable oil and place dough in bowl.
Turn dough upside down so all of the dough is coated.

Allow to sit in a warm place for about 2 hours,
or until it has doubled in size.

Once doubled, roll out in a rope, and pinch off 10-12 small pieces.
Place balls on floured surface. Let sit covered for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 500 deg F. and make sure rack is at the very bottom of oven.
Be sure to preheat your baking sheet also.

Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin into circles.
Each should be about 5-6 inches across and 1/4 inch thick.















Bake each circle for 4 minutes until the bread puffs up.
Turn over and bake for 2 minutes.

Remove each pita with a spatula from the baking sheet
and add additional pitas for baking.

Sunday, September 06, 2009

work in progress.

Currently working on holiday cards.
these are the beginnings.































I am determined to have these cards completed
by the craft show in Chelsea on Oct 17.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Adventures in Queens

I was reluctant to move to Queens last year,
but the bf has shown me that Queens is a diamond
in the rough. In the last year I have been to
many new restaurants, karaoke, a speakeasy,
Spa Castle, 2 beer gardens, a Mets game @ Shea,
and Long Beach (ok ok it's actually
on Long Island-but it's so close!)
our latest adventure was the US Open.




















It was awesome! I have never been a big tennis person,
but it was fun to watch! It definitely took a good 20min
for the bf to explain the scoring to me
(15-30-40?! what is that!?)
































But I did catch on and we enjoyed our day
hopping from match to match, getting some sun
and eating cheesesteaks and chicken fingers.

Definitely want to make this a yearly thing.