Pizza Crust, a la Kelli

Use the recipe based on the size of pizza pan you have.

12 inch 14 inch 16 inch 18 inch

Warm water: 2/3 cup 3/4 cup + 2Tbs 1 cup + 2 Tbsp 1 1/2 cup

Sugar: 1 Tbsp 4 tsp 5 tsp 2 Tbsp

Olive Oil: 3/4 tsp 1 tsp 1 1/2 tsp 2 tsp

Active Dry Yeast: 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp

High Gluten Flour*: 1 1/2 cup 2 cups 2 2/3 cups 3 1/2 cups

Salt: 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp 3/4 tsp 1 tsp

* Or use Bread Flour

Measure the warm water and pour into the bowl of an electric mixer with a dough hook or a bread maker that is large enough to hold your dough. This recipe uses a high gluten flour that is too difficult to knead by hand and develop the gluten adequately. Add the sugar, oil, and yeast. Add the flour and begin mixing. When the dough comes together, add the salt. Knead the dough on low speed for about 3 minutes and then stop to assess the moisture content. The dough should be sticky to the touch, but not stick to your hands. It should clean the sides of the bowl, but may stick slightly to the bottom. If the dough is too sticky add a few tablespoons of flour and knead it 8 minutes more.

Form the kneaded dough into a ball. Place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap (oil the plastic wrap) and let the dough sit on the counter for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Can of crushed tomatoes in puree for pizza sauce and add spices.

Baking Pizza

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees and place your rack on the bottom rung. I put cornmeal on the pan. Roll out the dough. Spread olive oil around the edges. Top pizza as desired. Bake 8-15 minutes until crust is golden brown.

Croque Monsieur

French for "Grown-Up Ham and Cheese"

Bread, I used Texas Toast
Ham
Cheese, I used Cheddar/Jack 'cause I have kids, but you can use Gruyere
Butter
Flour
Milk

Melt some butter in sauce pan
When just bubbling, add some flour to make a paste-looking substance.
Whisk until smooth
Add some milk and keep whisking for a minute or two, until pasty looking.
Remove from heat.

Take paste mixture and spread it on one side of bread.
Put cheese, ham, then more cheese, top with another slice of bread, and coat the top with more paste mixture.
Broil at 500 until brownish, then flip and broil summore.

Eat.

Sorry the measurements aren't exact. I just sorta made this up as I went, but it turned out yummy and it does feel more grown up. Sean and I loved it, and so did the kids. That never happens.

Chocolate Mint Poke Cake

Bake a chocolate fudge cake according to directions on box in 9x13 pan. Cool 15 minutes then poke holes with end of wooden spoon every 1/2 inch.

Mix together 1 small box white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling with 2 cups milk, and 1/2 t. peppermint extract. Stir for 2 minutes and pour over cake. Chill for 2 hours.

Mix 1/4 t. peppermint extract into a 12 oz container of whipped mild chocolate frosting. Spread over cake and top with chopped Junior Mints.