I absolutely love PIZZA and have all my life but I never tried making it at home from complete scratch. Of course I've tried pre-made crusts and even "fresh" dough from the grocery store with pizza sauce jars but those options were just ok. So what changed? I recently got a stand mixer again and decided I would try making some pizza dough. I've tried making a few recipes out over the last month but I found a winner and want to share it with yall. During my month of trying out dough recipes, I also found a new cooking method, better ways of rolling out the dough, and an easy pizza sauce way better than those small jars of pizza sauce. I should make a video of the complete process but for now I will link the videos that inspired me to be a better pizza maker. Did I mention that it is extremely easy to do all this?! Well it is and totally worth it over frozen or delivery pizza from the big chains. Try this out and let me know how it goes for you!

The Dough

After trying a few dough recipes out, I've decided that Bobby Flay's recipe is my favorite so far and friend approved. I didn't modify a thing to his recipe, so go check out the recipe: here. I usually divided the risen dough in half or thirds.

Now rolling out the dough into a perfect circle took some practice as the first few weeks I had some very "rustic" shaped pizzas. I recently watched a video and it definitely improved my technique, but I am still working up to tossing the dough up in the air. Check out the video: here.

Dough right after mixing with olive oil rubbed on it.

1 hour after rising. Double in size and ready to use.

Rolled out and ready to go!

The Sauce

The sauce is simple, makes a lot, and better than those little jars of pizza sauce. All you need is 3 basic ingredients then add in optional flavors you like.

Here's what you need: 28 oz crushed tomatoes (I buy the Red Gold brand) 6 to 8 garlic cloves, minced Sea salt, to taste (I didn't measure this out but used probably close to a teaspoon... or 2) Some optional things I've added: crushed red pepper flakes, EVOO, basil... I've made this a few times now and tried different extras each time. Add in what you like to enhance the basic sauce Mix it all up and it makes enough sauce for approximately 5 to 6 pizzas!

The Method

This method was new to me and I saw it on a Frankie Celenza video. Super easy and it takes less then 10 minutes!
Here are the steps:
     1. Heat up your large cast iron pan on the stove top over medium heat
     2. Throw the rolled out pizza dough into the pan
     3. Top with 3 to 4 tablespoons of sauce and spread it out
     4. Load up your favorite toppings
     5. Check that the bottom of the crust has turned golden brown with char-grilled spots
     6. Take the pan and put right under your broiler until the cheese is bubbling away
     7. Take out of the pan and let cool for a couple minutes and then slice it up
     8. Enjoy!

The Toppings

Of course I did the classic toppings but have also tried out some unusual toppings. I plan on trying out more and I'll share the really good ones on here. Check back later for some topping ideas!

Recommended supplies to order before you try making this at home!
	Nuts.com - 1lb of Tapioca Pearls ($4.99)

Thai Bubble Tea Recipe:

Ingredients for 4 people:

Steps:

1 cup Pantai Thai Tea 5 cups Filtered Water 3/4 cup Sugar 1 cup Tapioca Pearls Honey or your choice of sweetener Half and Half

1. Thai Tea:  Pour 1 cup of thai tea into large thai tea filter and set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to boil and then slowly dip in the tea filter until the leaves are all wet. Be careful not to let the opening of the filter to touch the water. Let the tea boil for 5 minutes and then remove from heat and continue to steep the tea for 30+ minutes. Remove tea filter and squeeze out remaining liquid with tongs. Place into a sealed container (water bottle) and place in the fridge to cool. 2. Bubbles: Follow the directions on the package for the tapioca pearls purchased. The Nuts.com pearls only really need 30 minutes to boil and then 30 minutes to sit in the hot water off of the heat. Rinse with warm water and place in a small container to then add your sweetener. I usually add a tablespoon of honey. 3. THAI BUBBLE TEA:  Spoon the pearls into the bottom of your glass and then add ice about over halfway up the cup. Then add in your Thai tea and save room to add in desired amount of half and half. 4. ENJOY!

Enjoy your Thai Bubble Tea!!

Okay, this is a re-post from my old blog but it was one of the most popular and visited posts, so I wanted to share it on here in time for the holidays. The recipe comes from Lorraine Pascale, a British chef that we used to watch over in the UK on the BBC but she has also moved over to the States. I need to check out the latest food shows she is featured on... Anyway, this simple recipe was from her Baking Made Easy series and is a great addition for Christmas, New Year's, or whatever party you may be having this holiday season.

Now before I get into the recipe, I want to push one thing that doesn't seem very popular here in the States yet but it totally should be... and that is a kitchen weighing scale. I have a digital scale and there are tons of options to choose from on Amazon. I still have a lot of books from the UK listing amounts in weight measurements and I wish more books in the States had the same as it is definitely more accurate for baking. So I was going to convert this recipe from grams to cups but I'm not sure how accurate the online conversions are to use in recipes. For example, 300g powdered sugar is approximately 1.58305 US cups... and if I round that to 1 and half cups I'm not sure how that would affect the recipe. My advice is go buy a digital scale and find recipes that have weight measurements. Here is one of my absolute favorite recipe books to start you off, The Hummingbird Bakery: Cake Days. The Hummingbird Bakery started in London and I just loved their cupcakes and their recipes to make at home always turned out great! OK on to the recipe!

Peppermint Creams Recipe

Ingredients:

Steps:

300g Powdered Sugar 125g Condensed Milk 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract 100g Dark Chocolate

1. MIX together the powdered sugar, condensed milk, and peppermint extract until everything has combined and you can make a ball out of the ingredients. 2. DUST your work surface with some icing sugar, and roll out until it is about 3-5mm thick. Use a pastry cutter to create discs of peppermint creams and place on a tray lined with baking paper. 3. MELT the chocolate and dip the discs halfway into the chocolate and place back on the tray to set or drizzle chocolate all over them. 4. ENJOY!

Have you heard of MeUndies?

Check out their video recipe:

Cut the clutter and save yourself some serious money!

I recently moved into a new home, and out of necessity had to mount my TV on the wall. I do like the look, but hated the fact that the power cords had to stretch to the bottom outlet. Although it may seem like a daunting task to relocate or add a new plug behind the TV, I assure you it isn't! Follow the steps below to get it done!

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	Tools you'll need: Utility Knife Wire Strippers  Drywall Knife Stud Finder Small Level Screwdriver Hardware: (1) Duplex Outlet (1) Face Plate (1) Single Gange Outlet Box (Clamp Style) 6' - 8' ROMEX 15amp wire (double or triple strand w/ ground)
	Tools you'll want: Electricians Fish Tape Electric Drill AC Voltage Probe

Finish Up

I love fudge but stay away from the recipes where you have to use a candy thermometer, I like the easy recipes! One of these days I will try fudge making that way, once I get around to actually buying a candy thermometer. For now, here is a simple recipe I first saw on Pinterest and then on one of those Pinterest fail sites. I love cake batter anything, so had to try this recipe out. I was worried it would come out looking more like the failed version, which they described as "meat colored fudge", gross! I learned from their failure to add the sprinkles in at the last minute with minimal mixing in, which the original recipe does mention as well, so very important step. Use whatever cake mix you can find in the shops, I want to try out a chocolate version! This fudge is amazingly yummy!! It is very sweet and initially I thought one square was enough for a little treat but I found myself going back for more and more.

Try out this super easy and yummy recipe @ Baked from a Box: Cake Batter Fudge.