Friday, October 17, 2008

Cinnamon Rolls, Pizza, and Planes! What more...

Hello, Hello!!


Once again...it has been a while since I have last posted...please do not hate me! I am really going to start making this a regular thing...I just have to find the time...and the content. But...on a better note...I did some BAKING!!!

I was in North Carolina over the weekend with the Hubbs and we (I) had some wonderful culinary adventures! The first was Homemade Pizza Crust with jarred sauce :-(...sad I know, but if we had had the ingredients on hand we would have used them! We made two medium sized pepperoni pizzas. The crust was very thick and some what doughy...but not underdone! Its just really "thick" for a pizza crust. Next time we will make 2 LARGE pizzas or 3 MEDIUM ones so that the crust is thinner. But on the whole...a Delicious experience!


~Homemade Pizza Dough~
2 c. warm water
1 pkg. yeast or 1 tbsp.
1 tbsp. sugar
1/3 c. olive oil
1 tbsp. basil
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
5-5 1/2 c. four (more if needed)
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl and allow yeast to ferment (bubble). Mix the olive oil, basil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Pour in yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add in flour 1 c. at a time and stir to combine. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until well combined. Place in oiled bowl and cover with a towel or oiled saran wrap. Let sit in warm location until doubled in size. (About 1 hour or more.) Once risen, turn out onto floured surface and knead a little more then roll out to desired size. This recipe makes 2 large pizza crusts or 3 medium pizza crusts.

~Pizza~
3-4 c. pizza sauce
toppings of choice
cheese of choice
Italian seasoning
After dough is rolled out to desired size, spread sauce over top. Amount used depends on how much sauce you like on your pizza. Spread with toppings of choice then top with cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 30-45 min. Remove and let cool for 5 min. then slice and enjoy!

Look at that wonderful crust! Perfect, I like it slightly doughy...yummy!

Wow, so the next morning I decided to make some Cinnamon Rolls. These did not turn out quite as good. They tasted spot-on, but they were really quite stiff and crunchy due to the dough not rising properly. I did not want to waste in, so I made them any way! Hey, I can always get better and whats not good when it is liberally covered in cream cheese frosting? Hahaha!

~Cinnamon Rolls~



(adapted from the Skinny Gourmet)



Dough

1/4 c. warm water
1 tsp. white sugar
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg, beaten
4 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. salt
1/2-1 c. skim milk
2 1/2 - 5 c. flour (more if needed)



Filling

4 - 6 tbsp butter, divided
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 -1 c. raisins (optional)

Pour the warm water into a small bowl. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour in the yeast and set aside until yeast has fermented or "puffed".
In a large bowl, mix the milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Sir to combine. Once yeast has proofed, add it to the mixture and stir to combine. Add half of the flour and stir. Slowly add in 1 c. of flour at a time and stir after each addition. The dough should come together but not be tough. Dump out the dough onto a floured surface and knead, adding more flour if necessary. Place in a buttered bowl and cover and let to rise in a warm location, free from drafts, until it has doubled in bulk. This could take anywhere from 30 to 90 min.
Once the dough has doubled in size, dump out unto a floured surface and knead slightly. Divide dough and roll out into a rectangle. Spread surface of dough with butter then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. Roll dough starting with the long side and cut into 4-6 even pieces. Place into a buttered baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 min. or until rolls are golden brown.

~Cream Cheese Icing~
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2-3 tbsp. butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. milk
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Taste and add more sugar and milk to desired taste and consistency. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!


Rolling the cinnamon rolls

And I have to put in a plug for my favorite new drink! So, I am NOT a pop drinker. I gave it up in high school for lent and still have not drank it. (unless I did not know about it) BUT...there is one "exception"...Vernors Ginger Soda. It is AMAZING!! Much more potent than ginger ale...wonderful ginger flavor and carbonation.


And I would like to leave you with some more plane pictures! This one one top is during take off with a sunrise...i just love it! The one below is about an hour before landing...the texture of the clouds was just to amazing to pass up! Hope you like them as much as I do!

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