Yikes! Ly+Alan deserve the worse blogger of the year award for not updating for almost an entire month. In our defense, not that much has been going on though - just the normal routine of medical school, studying, church callings, and trying not to go stir crazy from the lack of sunshine. The highlights of the month included some fantastic dates, adventurous eating, and spending time with friends. How has the month of love been for you?
2.22.2011
2.01.2011
Practically Perfect Pizza
Last night for dinner Ly + Alan had the best pizza ever. White pizza on homemade pizza crust. Seriously so good. You should make this for dinner tonight. It was easy, fast, tasty and healthy. In fact, 1/4 of the pizza (2 lrg slices) has about 220 calories.
So without further ado, here's the recipe*:
2 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
a pinch of powder milk (optional)
**you can also substitute some wheat flour for the all purpose - about 1 cup wheat, 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour**
1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of the oil through the feed tube.
2. Process for about 30 seconds. If it is sticky add a bit of all-purpose flour. Add more water a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture forms a ball and is sticky to the touch. Never add more than 1/4 cup of water.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the remaining olive oil in a bowl, turn the dough ball in it, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavor to develop.
4. Preheat the oven to 500F. Roll or lightly press the dough into a flat round lightly flouring the work surface and the dough as necessary. Let it sit for a few minutes to rest. Put olive oil on a pizza pan and shape the dough on the pan.
5. Top the pizza with your choice of toppings. Suggested: sprinkle with 1 T olive oil, 2 T chopped garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, fresh basil, fresh reduced fat mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and 2 T fresh Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.
*adapted a bit from Mark Bittman's awesome cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
So without further ado, here's the recipe*:
2 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
a pinch of powder milk (optional)
**you can also substitute some wheat flour for the all purpose - about 1 cup wheat, 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour**
1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of the oil through the feed tube.
2. Process for about 30 seconds. If it is sticky add a bit of all-purpose flour. Add more water a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture forms a ball and is sticky to the touch. Never add more than 1/4 cup of water.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the remaining olive oil in a bowl, turn the dough ball in it, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavor to develop.
4. Preheat the oven to 500F. Roll or lightly press the dough into a flat round lightly flouring the work surface and the dough as necessary. Let it sit for a few minutes to rest. Put olive oil on a pizza pan and shape the dough on the pan.
5. Top the pizza with your choice of toppings. Suggested: sprinkle with 1 T olive oil, 2 T chopped garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, fresh basil, fresh reduced fat mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and 2 T fresh Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.
*adapted a bit from Mark Bittman's awesome cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
1.31.2011
Meatless Monday: Curry Spiced Noodles
Ly's adventures with Meatless Mondays have so far been successful...in fact she has even inspired some friends in the Richmond area to go veg! Earlier this week they came over and made Chili non Carne (aka vegetarian chili). Everyone seemed to enjoy it and Ly even tried a few bites. She still despises beans, but at least she willingly put some in her mouth. It's a step in the right direction.
curry spiced noodles
And as further evidence of her expanding horizons, for dinner the other day they had curry spiced noodles. The dish included mushrooms, red peppers, green peppers, and lots of other veggies that aren't particularly high on Ly's vegetables she'll eat list. And yup, Ly ate all of it. It wasn't bad. In fact if you want the recipe let us know. So for all of you wondering, yes progress has been made in the Ly eating vegetable department. Although tofu has yet to make an appearance on the menu.
curry spiced noodlesAnd as further evidence of her expanding horizons, for dinner the other day they had curry spiced noodles. The dish included mushrooms, red peppers, green peppers, and lots of other veggies that aren't particularly high on Ly's vegetables she'll eat list. And yup, Ly ate all of it. It wasn't bad. In fact if you want the recipe let us know. So for all of you wondering, yes progress has been made in the Ly eating vegetable department. Although tofu has yet to make an appearance on the menu.
Date Night
Last week for Date Night, Ly + Alan went to Dave and Busters. They had coupons for a bunch of free games so it was a nice inexpensive date night. It was an evening full of healthy competition (Alan kicked Ly's butt on air hockey like a dozen times...it was a fluke though and Ly being the nice person she is let him live it up), whack-a-mole, ticket earning, and lots of laughs.
Alan takes competition very seriously
Our winnings!
Alan takes competition very seriously
Our winnings!1.27.2011
Throwback Thursday: Daddy Daughter Bonding @ Disneyland
Time: Spring Break 2003.
Who: Ly+Dad
Where: Disneyland
Why: Bonding Trip
For her first spring break from college, Ly decided to go home to San Diego - enjoy the beach, some much needed sunshine and hang out with some friends. While she did do those things, the best part of her break was the surprise her Dad (Rory) cooked up for. He took some time off from his hectic schedule and whisked her away to her favorite place - Disneyland - for a few days. At first one might think what a drag it would be for a 19 year old girl to go to Disneyland for more than one day with just her Dad...but it turned out to be a trip full of memories and laughter.
Some highlights included:
+ Riding the Mickey Mouse roller coaster at California Adventure (the one that goes upside down) like 8 times in a row before Rory's age caught up with him and he required a break...and riding the water raft ride and getting soaked a million times.
+ Eating at the Ariel's Princess dining place in California Adventure. Dining with Ariel and her friends was delicious - yummy (albeit slightly overpriced) and quite an adventure with the Princesses stopping to say hi...and at the end they served cotton candy with the check. Even though it was Rory's idea to eat there he insists that it was only because he was starving. Although the record should state that since this trip he has insisted that family eat there whenever they are at California Adventure.
+ Taking lots of character photos and walking on to most rides.
+ Buying and wearing light up Mickey Mouse ears to wear at the parades.
+ Getting a reserved dining seat during the Main Street Electrical Parade...it was perfect - no need to stake out seats for hours in advance for the parade and yummy food too.
Despite having to deal with Rory's desire/need to eat every 5 minutes, Ly and her dad had an amazing time. A daddy-daughter trip is a must for every daughter and her dad - no matter what age.
1.24.2011
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