Baking

Last night I started reading the book A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. I am only writing this post to make a proclamation about baking (not trying to copy, I promise). Women across the world talk about how great it is to knead bread. To them, kneading bread is a way to connect with generations past while also allowing an outlet for frustrations.

Well, I hate it.

I hate the mess. I hate the sticky. And most of all, I hate that I actually get itchy between the fingers even after I have washed all the globs off my hands.

I guess I will have to stick to sewing because that actually makes me feel good from beginning to end.

My great friend Carolyn's Pizza Dough recipe:
Makes 2 Mid-Size Pizzas
1. Dissolve 2 1/4tsp (or 1 packet) YEAST with 1tsp honey or sugar in 1/2 cup warm water (between 110-115 degrees) for 5 minutes.
2. Mix 3 cups FLOUR*, 1tsp SALT, and a few Tab. OLIVE OIL in a large bowl
3. Mix the dry ingredients with your hand then pour in the yeast water, kneading with your hand. Add warm water to get the dough to stick together (it will be wet).
4. Knead for a few minutes, form a ball.
5. Cover in an oiled bowl.
6. Let rise for 1 hour
7. Split into two balls. Form the crust with your hands.
8. Bake in a 500 degree, hot oven for 5-10 minutes.

* Flour substitution: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup spelt flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
few Tab. wheat germ

I didn't have any spelt on me so I used 1.5 cups all purpose plus 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour. I will let you know how it turns out tonight.

Here is the pizza (next time I am going to do a chicken/veggie pizza, but all I had was pepperoni). Delicious.