Pizza...oh how wonderful you are!!!

Tragically, when I was pregnant, I could not even stomach the word "pizza." My favorite food had suddenly become a source of anxiety and sickness. Thank goodness that passed!!!! I've been exploring with different types of pizzas, and came across a real winner last night.

Let's talk dough...The recipe I use is (note: this recipe makes a lot of dough. You could probably get 2 medium sized pizzas from it. I can't tolerate getting frustrated when stretching my dough out, so I always make a lot to make it easier on myself!):

1 1/2c. warm water
1 Tbsp yeast
1.5c. Bread Flour
2 c. All purpose flour (or substitute whole wheat flour)
1.5 tsp salt
1 TBSP olive oil

Then you can experiment with adding different herbs and spices depending on what kind of pizza you are making. I normally add in some red pepper flakes and dried basil.

You can always pick up a round of dough from the grocery store or from a pizzeria, but there is something really satisfying about making your own dough (and if you have a Kitchen Aid mixer, it's ridiculously easy).


So last night, I decided to make a white pizza. I stretched out my dough and rubbed it with some olive oil, and sprinkled it with course sea salt and chopped rosemary. Then I put just a dusting of shredded mozzarella over the top. Next came...potatoes. As thin as you can slice them (I used a mandolin). My next all star ingredient was goat cheese. Goat cheese has a place in just about every dish. It's so silky and luxurious, definitely one of my favorite ingredients to use. So there I was in my kitchen, complete with sous chefs Horton, Morris, and Laine, and the pizza just looked...boring. I didn't want to add anymore strong flavors, but it needed a little, oomph. Out came the jar of red pepper flakes, making a second appearance. I was slightly heavy handed in my "sprinkling." It was the right choice. The heat seemed to open up the taste buds (totally not sure if that's what happens, but that's how it felt), and it made the pizza come alive!!!

I'm Back!

Did everyone think the world of Vegging Out ended??? To be honest, i thought so too! Turns out a baby is rather time consuming!


Anyway, here she is...Laine Gloria!!!
























I made it through the entire pregnancy as a vegetarian, and never had any issues with my health! Laine is amazing, and I already bring her into the kitchen with me, explaining what everything is to her, putting things to her nose so she can smell them, and letting her touch different foods. It's been so much fun! I feel like I finally have my cooking show audience i've always dreamed about!!!

I'm just starting to get back into cooking...the last 2 months of pregnancy, me and Justin ate Morningstar Farms chick'n nuggets every. single. night. Once in awhile, I'd mix it up and have the spicy kind :-)

So what's the latest in my cooking? Well, I've been all about cooking dried beans! Mainly black beans and pinto beans. I soak and cook a big batch on Sunday, and then use them throughout the week for tacos, rice and bean variations, chili, baked beans for side dishes, etc. At the end of the week, I take whatever beans i have left, throw them in the food processor with whatever veggies i have left, along with spices and chick pea flour, and let them blend. Then I fry them up into veggie burgers and freeze them individually. Amazingly easy, and soooo delicious!!!!

I hope to be posting a lot more, and once Laine can start "eating," i'll be experimenting a lot with making food for her!!! Such a new and exciting adventure we are on!!!