Rush Hour Pizza

Who doesn't love homemade pizza?  Exactly!  I saw a recipe for rushed pizza dough in smitten kitchen cookbook, and I knew that I had to try it (no brainer really!).  This pizza recipe is quick and easy--pizza from dough to table in about 1.5 hours (even making the sauce!)!  Before you make pizza, (I know your mouth is watering, but please!) look at smitten kitchen's 10 paths to painless pizza making, just please!!!

Enough talking--PIZZA!!!!!

{Finished thin crust pizza!}

{Blooming the yeast}

{I used the mixer method because I have a dough hook, but this can be made by hand!}

{Crumbly mess of a dough}

{After kneading for 5 minutes, dough should be smooth and elastic}

{While dough is rising make pizza sauce}

{Pizza sauce!}

{Because pizza is cooked fast and hot, I recommend steaming any vegetables you plan on using so they are nice and soft when you eat your pizza}

{Pizza sauce reduced in half}

{Sprinkle cornmeal on a hot baking sheet--Ben might have gotten a little happy, but the pizza didn't stick!}

{Dough after it has risen}

{Rolled out pizza dough}

{Putting toppings on pizza}

Rush Hour Pizza

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

Dough

1/2 cup warm water, a bit warm to the touch

2 packets active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for counter
1 teapsoon salt
Olive oil, for coating bowl

Sauce

2-15 oz cans diced tomatoes, drained

2-4 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup white wine (optional but recommended)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

Any toppings desired

Dough

1. Turn oven on warm (about 200-225 degrees) for 5 minutes, then turn off.
2. Pour water into bowl (mixer or regular) and add yeast packets to warm water, stir, and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. By hand: Add remaining dough ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until a crumbly mass; turn dough and any loose pieces onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 5 minutes, or until a smooth, elastic dough forms.  Mixer: Add remaining dough ingredients and mix with your dough hook at moderate speed until dough forms crumbly mass; reduce speed to low and mix for 5 minutes, letting hook knead dough.
4. Wipe the bowl you made the dough in and coat the inside with olive oil.
5. Cover dough with a cotton towel, place it in the warmed oven and let it rise for 30-45 minutes (until it is doubled).
6. Meanwhile, make sauce and steam vegetables (if using).

Sauce

1. Pour in olive oil in a pot and let it heat completely before adding the garlic and onion.
2. Sweat (aka let cook until clear but DO NOT BROWN!) onions and garlic until fragrant and clear. Add the red pepper flakes and stir it for anther minute.
3. Put the tomatoes in the pot, along with the wine, sugar and salt.
4. Let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced by half. Carefully taste without burning your tongue and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

Pizza

1. Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (typically 500 degrees). If you have a pizza stone, sprinkle it with cornmeal and put it in the oven. Otherwise, sprinkle a baking pan with the same.
2. Roll out the dough on the floured counter until pretty darn thin, then lift it onto a cornmeal-sprinkled baking sheet.
3. Add the sauce and other toppings desired; be careful it's HOT.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes, checking at 7.
5. Slice and serve immediately.

So go forth and make pizza!!!!!

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Food for Thought: Eat Your Biggest Meal Early in the Day

As I was listening to the radio on the way to work, I heard a new study came out stating that To Maximize Weight Loss, Eat Early in the Day, Not Late (from NPR).  The study was small, only 420 people, who saw more weight loss (exercise and sleep held fairly constant) than those who ate a majority of their calories later in the day.  The article does discuss the opposite point of view--that weight loss is much more complicated than that, and the only sure way to loose weight is to restrict calorie intake and exercise. 

Some scientists are testing this on animals and are seeing that the timing of eating has an influence on metabolism; they are saying that this influence can be translated to humans.  I think this experiment/study needs to be done on a much larger scale to prove anything conclusive.

This got me thinking--we've heard sooooo many weightloss tips, it's hard to know what actually works.  However, I do think that this idea does have merit--the body has longer to digest big breakfast than it would big dinner.  It makes sense.  Personally, I eat the majority of my calories by 3 PM; after that I usually have a Greek yogurt then dinner which is, typically, lighter than my lunch. 

What do you think?  Do you eat a majority of your calories before 3 PM?Pin It

Spice It UP!!! Cauliflower

I seriously slacked on this series last year, but I will definitely do better this year!  The plan is to feature an ingredient or spice on the last day of every month and link it back to recipes I have created (these will be updated with more recipes if the ingredient or spice is used).  My first selection: cauliflower!

{source}

Nutrition

Although most nutritionists encourage everyone to eat a rainbow of vegetables, many people don't count cauliflower as a color because it is white and might be less nutritious.  However, according to World's Healthiest Foods helps with the body's detox system, antioxidant system, and inflammatory system.  Cauliflower also aids in digestion because it packs 3 grams of fiber in every 25 calories (about 1 cup).  The chart below shows the vitamin and mineral content of 1 cup of raw cauliflower.

Nutrients in
Cauliflower
1.00 cup raw (107.00 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

vitamin C85.9%

vitamin K20.7%

folate15.2%

choline11.1%

vitamin B610%

potassium9.1%

fiber8.5%

manganese8.5%

molybdenum7.1%

vitamin B57.1%

tryptophan6.2%

phosphorus4.7%

protein4.1%

magnesium4%

vitamin B23.5%

vitamin B13.3%

vitamin B32.7%

iron2.5%

Calories (26)1%

{source}

This source verifies the nutrition content found on World's Healthiest Foods.  Both sources state that cauliflower is native to Asia--I didn't know that!

Selecting

Select cauliflower with tight, compact buds and a snowy, creamy color.  The cauliflower should feel heavy in your hand.  They are best in the winter season. 

Storing

They should store for a week in the fridge, upside down to prevent moisture from molding the florets.

Cooking

Cauliflower is best (most nutritious) in its rawest form, but it can withstand any cooking method.  This vegetable does release a sulfurous smell when cooking.

Recipes

Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Mashed Cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower Gratin
Roasted Cauliflower with Brown Butter Bread Crumbs

Warnings

Both websites state that people suffering from thyroid diseases will need to be careful eating this vegetable in prolong and large quantities because it contains compounds called goitrogens which swells the thyroid.

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Kitchen Beauty: Sea Salt Soak

I turn to my kitchen to make most of my beauty products like exfoliations, moisturizers, etc.  My favorite has to be a sea salt detox bath that can be made in 5 minutes (for 4 baths) and from three ingredients: sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda. 

Why do a detox bath?  Skin is the largest organ of the body that gets exposed to the most pollutants and toxins.  According to this site, detox baths help those with skin issues (like myself--I swear my skin hates me...).  Plus, "hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat" according to here.  Soaking in a hot bath relieves tension and stress--need I say more?

The second website recommends you put glycerin in the water to not dry out the skin; I haven't had an issue, but I do rub a light layer of grapeseed oil on my skin afterwards which makes this bath ritual feel that much more luxurious (wear old clothes that you don't mind messing up with oil).  My skin ends up very happy and soft after this soak!

 
I take one when the day has been hard, when muscles are sore from exercising, or when I simply feel like relaxing.  Making this at home is much cheaper than buying it pre-made, and you can customize it to the scents you feel like using. 

{Mixing salts}

{Store in an air tight container}

Sea Salt Detox Bath

Makes 4 cups

1 cup sea salt (your choice of origin)

2 cups baking soda

1 cup Epsom salt

Essential oils (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients together. 
2. Store in an airtight container until needed.
3. Add 1 cup to hot bath water.
4. Add 3-4 drops of any essential oils you would like to use.
5. Soak for 20-25 minutes relaxing your mind and body.

This makes a great gift!  Just add the oils (if you desire) and a gift tag with the instructions.

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