Lemon, basil and smoked mozzarella pizza

It might sound funky, and even look funky, but this flavor combination is really quite exceptional.  This pizza idea was posted to my Facebook wall by a friend, and I decided to try it.

 

These basic ingredients, when brought together, really pack a punch, but I would do a few things differently next time I make it, and there *will* be a next time.  First off, the pith on the lemons was a deal breaker for me, but the lemon flavor was the perfect partner to the smoked mozzarella and basil.  Too much of any ingredient, in any one bite, was just too much.

 

Next time I would zest a couple of lemons, and drizzle the juice onto the pizza, making it my last addition.  I would also shred the cheese vs. using the slices.  A little of this cheese goes a long way, and in some spots there was too much cheese, and in other spots, not enough.

I tossed my basil leaves with olive oil before I added them, and it kept them from drying out.  I layered the pizza, starting with the cheese slices, then the lemon slices, the basil, finishing with a drizzle of olive oil.

What will I do different?  Next time I will start with shredded cheese, basil, lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil, and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice.  For me, I think this will allow the same flavors to come through, but a bit more balanced on the palate.

 

Overall, I can't complain.  I ended up removing the lemon slices before eating, and I'm glad I did.  The pith was just a bit overpowering.  With the suggested changes, I would absolutely do this again.  I rolled a thin crust, and baked the pizza on my quarry tiles.  It made for a very crisp crust...my favorite!

A good trip...

Last week was really special.  Not only did we spend a week with my sister, but we were able to see her new house, and help her with some projects, in particular, a kitchen counter top restoration.  A lot of broken and loose tiles needed to be replaced, as well as the very boring backsplash.  When it was all said and done, it looked terrific, though there were times when she wasn't sure we knew what we were doing.  =)

 

All set, ready for some grout...

 

A little repair.  A broken corner was replaced, just awaiting some grout...

 

I took some shots of the kitchen, as well as some of her 'pretty things', and made a video for her.

While visiting, we taught Kindle to swim in my sister's pool.  This was such a fun thing for me.  Shelties are not known for their love of water, much less their swimming prowess.  Kindle, bless her, was a good sport, and once she figured out the dynamics of swimming, was a real champ, really enjoying herself, even hopping in from the steps to retrieve balls we threw hither and yon.  It certainly helped that she has a real love of retrieving, and loves water, though actual swimming was new for her.

 

And when you have swam so much, your legs are out of juice, just hitch a ride on 'dad'.

 

There was no swimming for Jet.  He just hung out, doing his 'cool' thing.  At 13, we are just happy he's here.  He has nothing to prove.  Looking good, buddy...

 

A good belly rub in the morning, from a much loved auntie, never hurt, either.

 

We were able to squeeze in a few fun things, as well.  A highlight for me, and it will sound strange, because it's a hamburger, was our two trips to Bachi Burger.  Bachi Burger is a burger joint with an Asian twist.  Unique and mouth-watering flavor combinations.

I had the spicy miso burger, which was fantastic.  Not a list of ingredients I would ever dream up, but it was really something special.  If you like burgers, and you have an adventurous culinary side, add it to your list for your next visit to Las Vegas.

 

I had the spicy miso burger.  It was wonderful...

 

We also visited Hoover Dam and the Tillman Memorial Bridge.  All I can say is "wow".  It's just one of the most impressive things I have ever seen.  Right up there with the Panama Canal, in terms of its ability to inspire.  To really appreciate it, one must consider the technology available when it was built in the early 1930s.  Truly amazing.  Another "must do" for any Vegas visitor.

 

In addition to Bachi and the dam, we were able to squeeze in Cirque du Soleil's "KA".  I posted on Facebook that I would talk more about it when I could come up with a word other than 'wow', and I am still stuck at 'wow'.  KA is more about technology than acrobatics, at least as far as Cirque shows go, but there is no question it is most impressive.  I caught myself, several times, as I watched the show, with my mouth open.  I'm not easily impressed.  This impressed the hell out of me.

We also took the auto collections tour at the Imperial Palace.  I wasn't sure what to think when we first walked in, but as we moved from room to room, I was really overwhelmed with the beauty of most of the restorations.  Like anything, there were a few that weren't on par with the most exceptional restorations we saw, but most were beautifully done, with extreme attention to detail.  If money were no object, I would have purchased the Chrysler 300 for Cliff, and the VW bus for myself...probably the Beetle, too.

The bus...

 

The 300...

 

And the Beetle...

 

Overall, it was a great visit.  I look forward to another, soon, when we aren't tearing up a kitchen, but rather cooking, taking in the sights, and just relaxing.

Before I sign off this post, I have to show off my 'fun with color' photos.

 

One, in particular, has special meaning. On the way down, with nothing to do but watch the desert pass by, and with a pretty strong cell signal, I got creative.  Our beloved Ty was a voracious licker.  There was not another like him and he could lick 'all the live long day'.  In remembrance of him, and to have something to celebrate his life with my sister, who deeply loved him, I had some bracelets made - ordered with my phone, traveling along a lonely road at 70 miles/hour.  My sister is wearing one here.  Can you see what it says?

 

Needless to say, I never take mine off...neither does Cliff, nor my sister.

The best thing since sliced bread!

I'm looking at a bread proofer I'd like to have for Christmas.  Basically a folding unit that unfolds into a large box one can use to proof loaves of bread much faster.  As luck would have it, it's also good for making yogurt and creme fraiche, both things I like and use, and, gee, wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to pay so much money for them?!

In my search for the best price on the proofer (so I could pass the link along to 'Santa'), I found someone who made mention of an electric slicer they found, and use for slicing bread.  The post was rather gushing, and curious mind that I have, I had to check it out.

For me, the only real trouble with homemade bread is getting even slices for toast, sandwiches, etc.  Well, an electric bread slicer would do the trick, so I opened up the link, and when I looked at the picture, I saw what appeared to be a meat/cheese slicer.  I immediately remembered something I have, tucked way back, in one of my upper cabinets, that looked *very* familiar to the photo; my own meat/cheese slicer, that I almost never use, but have had for going on 15 years.

I pulled it down, gave it a try, and viola!  Perfect sliced bread.

This brings a tear to my eye.  No more fighting with the clunky slicer we bought a few months ago that has already broken, and required repair!  Finish baking a loaf, run it through the slicer, bag it, and I'm good for the week!

Now, back to that proofer...Santa, are you listening?  Yes, I want one!

For the love of Bun, October 10, 2012

Boy, Bun, some days I just really miss you...so much, it takes me right back to the very moment you took your last breath.

I can go a day, or even two, and, while you are always present in my thoughts, I can feel sort of normal, then something happens, and it just takes me back, overwhelming me with sadness, and I hear myself say, "I miss you so much, Bun."  Then the tears.

I just miss you, darn it.  Everything about you.  I want to pet you again.  Smell your fur.  I want to hear your beautiful voice, watch you wag your tail.  I want to walk through the door, to those large and special greetings that were your signature.  I want to hear your soulful howl, the one we could hear when we pulled into the garage, as you trumpeted our arrival.  Yet, I know, even if I could experience all that, just one more day, it would still not be enough.  It would never be enough.

I sit here, tears falling down my cheeks, and my heart aches for you.  If time will heal my pain, I will need a lot of it...a very 'large' amount.

I know, wherever you are, light shines brighter than the brightest star.  It just feels a little dim here today...

I love you, baby.  With all my heart...

Maple and apple breakfast sausage

Yesterday we picked up 20 lbs. of pork butt for $1.46/lb., which is a pretty good price.  We have a commercial grinder we use to grind up whole chicken for the dogs, bones, and all, so boneless pork butt was no problem.

We seasoned the ground pork with maple syrup, sage, thyme, apples and onions, and it turned out really well.  We wrapped it up in one pound portions, and put it in the freezer...we're set for a while.

Of course, we had to cook some up, and give it a test run.  It turned out well, and with a few small adjustments, we have another winner.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.  (Located at Google docs).

Ingredients:

2 crisp apples, cored and quartered
1/2 white onion, trimmed, outer skin removed and quartered
2-1/2 lbs. ground pork
1/2 lb. ground bacon pieces, or pork belly
2 tablespoon dried sage
2 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
4 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions:

In the bowl of a food processor, add the apple and onion quarters, and pulse until you have an even mince.  Set aside.

To the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, add the ground pork, ground bacon, sage, thyme, salt, pepper, cloves, maple syrup and the apple and onion mince.  Mix on speed 2 for 2-3 minutes, or until all ingredients are well blended.

Shape into patties, and over medium heat, cook until well charred and cooked through.  Serve with any combination of your favorite breakfast foods.

You can also wrap uncooked sausage in butcher paper, label and freeze for later use.  Whatever suits you!  Enjoy...it's a good one.

Fall and Bun

In my last post, I talked about fall.  With low temperatures in the low 20s this week, there is really no question summer has taken leave, and with it, one of the most difficult periods of my life: losing Ty, or as we prefer to call him, "Bun".

I took my journey with him to my blog, and made it extremely public, including his physical pain, and my emotional pain.  In doing so, I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about the people I know, as well.  There are no judgments here, just a period of learning.  It was a gift born of horrible tragedy.

I know I'm not the first person to love and lose a dog, and I never pretend to be.  What I am is a girl compelled to give purpose to a loss so profound, by giving that loss some purpose, I gave myself a life line, a way to hold on...a way to move from one day to the next, freeing myself of anger.

I learned that I'm far stronger than I think I am.  I learned that I have a support system outside the one I thought I had.  I learned (more deeply) that there is no such thing as "just a dog".

I want to make my dog proud.  I want him to look at me, smile, and know that his work is complete here, that he accomplished the goal he came to accomplish, and he did so completely.

I'm sure I will fall, and make mistakes, and I accept that.  What I do know for certain is I am no longer without awareness of myself.

I'm grateful to you, Bun...things are, well, different, in a good way, because of you.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you for all your gifts.  Thank you for always being here for me, to support me, to love me, and to remind me that I can do better, and do so because I am aware...because of you.

I love you...more than anyone will ever know, but you know.  You always knew, and now I do, too.

Fall is in the air

It's hard to deny fall is in the air around here.  Low temps this week are forecast at, or below freezing.  It may warm up a bit, again, but for now, there is a real crispy feel to the air.  I really don't know that I'm ready, but ready or not, I don't think I have much say...this one is all Mother Nature's show.  She does as she wishes.

This weekend was not as productive for us as usual.  Cliff wasn't feeling on top of his game, fighting off an emerging cold, and I was coming off of several days of feeling a little off my game, too.  None the less, we did get a few things done.

We got the dogs bathed, which was nice.  We also cleared out one of the garden boxes.  It was on its last legs.  We turned the soil, added some of our compost, and tamped it down.  Two more boxes are still productive, as are the two tomato plants in the greenhouse, and the pepper plant, though the pepper plant appears to be winding down, as well.

I think it's time to look at some 'winter-hardy' plants to start in the greenhouse, and see what we can do over the winter, if anything.

Fall cleaning needs to commence inside the house now, though I have really been rather hesitant about doing that.  I think my heart is just not quite there yet.  Outside still beckons, at least for a while.  We still have a few things to tidy up on the side of the house, and I'd like to get that taken care of sooner vs. later.  Just random stuff that sort of accumulates over the summer as we work on our outdoor projects - mostly scrap materials.  I'm thinking of moving it to the end of the driveway, and putting a 'free' sign on all of it.  An ad on CL might accelerate its removal from our property.

My composting tumbler, and bin sure could use a little carbon.  It's time for those leaves to fall.  I could use a little 'woody' debris.

All in all, a good weekend.