Pizza Crust - 04 14 11

I tackled another Bucket List item - pizza crust!  I love the idea of making everything from scratch.  While trying to eat simply, healthy, and on a budget I decided to make a pizza crust.  With Kristen in town, I prepared the pizza crust and pizza sauce on a Wednesday night.  When she arrived Thursday, all we had to do was assemble and bake.  And, it turned out quite good! 

Sources:
Pizza Crust: The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Pizza Sauce: Annie's Eats

Kristen and I made a veggie pizza with lots of cheese!  We had green peppers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and onions.  For a time and wallet saver - I purchased the items from the salad bar at a local grocery store.  I think I got all the veggie toppings for under $2.00!

Let me know what kind of pizza is your favorite - I have another crust and batch of sauce in my freezer.

Enjoy!
Jessica

Easter Stollen - 04 22 11

Another one off the Bucket List! 

I decided to make a Stollen using rum soaked fruit, almonds, and orange and lemon extract.  I took it to my Grandpa's house for Easter and he especially enjoyed it!  (He even said it was better than the Martin's kind).  I definitely need to work on my shaping (it was supposed to look like a blanket in a manger but after the 2nd rise looked more like a crescent moon).  I think next time I will divide the dough in half and experiment with other shapes.  Check out my pictures below and if you tasted it, let me know your thoughts!

Source: The Bread Baker's Apprentice by Peter Reinhart 

Enjoy!
Jessica 

Pumpkin Ice Cream - 04 16 11

For my birthday, my sister and Ryan gave me the Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment! I was super excited!  So, I made some pumpkin ice cream with my ice cream attachment.  (Thanks, Mom and Dad for the ice cream mix from Williams-Sonoma).

It was super mega delicious!  Check out the pictures below.

Additionally, Kristen and Ryan gave 500 ice creams, sorbets, & gelatos by Alex Barker.  I made the classic vanilla ice cream with good results.  I can't want to try pistachio, orange sherbet, and various others. 

Thanks, Kristen and Ryan!

Enjoy!
Jessica