Grilled pizza

There’s a buzz in the air today because of a cool front that blew into Boca last night.  It is so beautiful today.  It’s about 68 degrees this afternoon (50’s this morning).  As a result, it’s a perfect backyard day and evening.  Tonight we are going to grill pizzas and continue enjoying this cool weather.  You see, we have summer and fall and that’s about it here.  So today, fall arrived (even though it’s November 15th!).

We’ve grilled pizzas on a couple of occasions recently.  Our pizzas have gotten better with practice so here are some tips if you are interested in trying your hand at pizzas on the grill! 

                                                                   

We purchase our pizza dough at Publix.  However, not all stores carry the dough.  Of course, you can make your own.  I am just not very good at “rising” the dough so the premade dough is a better choice for me. 

When you are ready to make the pizzas, let the dough sit at room temperature (that means about 70 degrees) for at least an hour so it will be easier to work with.  I use a large cutting board when I am ready to roll it out.  (First, sprinkle some flour on the board and I use cooking spray on my hands so the dough isn’t so sticky).  Roll it out to the desired thickness.  Dear is good at tossing it a bit (he worked in a pizza parlor in college!) so I let him do that part.  I like to sprinkle the dough with garlic powder and minced onion just for an added bit of flavor.

The grill has been preheated.  Now, take a large piece of foil and spray one side with cooking spray (away from the grill, please!!!! …unless you want an explosion!).  Place it on the grate and then place your pizza dough directly on the foil (on the sprayed side).  I know you should be able to place the dough directly on the grate, but I just don’t trust it to not stick.  Let the dough cook until it is slightly light brown on bottom then flip over (tongs work well for this task).  Repeat.  Remove the pizzas and then add your toppings.  Return the pizzas to the grill (on a low heat) – do not place directly over flames.  You want the toppings / cheese to slowly heat through while not burning the crust. 

Need some ideas for something besides a cheese pizza?  What about fresh basil, mozzarella, and thinly sliced tomatoes?  For the sauce, I like to mix a little pesto sauce with my favorite jar of pasta sauce.  We also like a veggie pizza so we top ours with mushrooms, olives, onions, and black olives.  Try a “new” cheese such as fontina, gruyere, or feta for a switcheroo.  The possibilities are endless. 

For more information on grilling pizzas, check out http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/grilled-pizza-recipe.html 

and

http://www.donosborn.com/pizza.htm

 

Patience, my friend

 

Why do we wait here together so patiently, along with our little chew toy? 

 

Are we just well-behaved canines?

Not really, we just want what’s above our heads on the table…

We are willing to wait as long as we have to. 

What’s on the table, you ask?

It can only be one thing.

 

 

FOOD.

By the way, it doesn’t have to be visually appealing…we’re dogs.

 

Edamame!

In case you don’t know what edamame ( ěd’ə-mä’mā ) are yet, you will soon.  Edamame are fresh green soybeans. They are often cooked in boiling water (or in the microwave) in salted water.  You can eat them chilled or warm.  You can buy them in the pod or shelled.  The best news:  kids love them too.  They make a great snack by themselves or you can add them to all sorts of dishes (pasta salad, green salads, etc).   Pei Wei serves them too (in case you’d like to try them at a restaurant first). 

Edamame is a complete protein containing all the eseential Amino Acids.  Great source of protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, and isoflavones (found only in Soy).  It is an excellent food for weight loss as well. 

Serving Suggestions:
To eat, push the beans out of the pod and into your mouth.  Discard outer shell.

NUTRITION FACTS

Serving Size 1/2 cup

Calories 100; Calories from Fat 25

Total Fat 3g                   Protein 8g
Saturated Fat 0g            Sugars 1g
Cholesterol 0mg          Dietary Fiber 4g
Sodium 260mg            Total Carbohydrates 9g (WW Points: 1) http://www.peertrainer.com/DFcaloriecounterB.aspx?id=7207

This has been a public health service announcement brought to you by la vida Boca.

 

Drowning in lab fur

Is it too much to ask of my dog that he stop shedding – at least for a couple of hours?  Honestly.  I have never vacuumed, Swiffered, or swept my floors as much as I have lately!   Is it shedding season and everyone forgot to tell me?  Maybe it’s just Florida.  As you probably know by now,  Jack Jack has been part of our family for almost 4 years now.  As with all dogs, he was an adorable puppy.  I can remember getting up in the night (as I did with my human babies) to take him outdoors to go potty – even in the cold and the rain (we had an umbrella).  When he was a puppy, he slept in a cardboard box we got from Costco (of course, there was a soft blanket or towel in it!) in our bedroom.  As he got older, we moved him to his own space in the laundry – mostly because he was too noisy at night and I couldn’t sleep (again – much like with the human babies).  Ahh…fond memories and good times.  NOW – he sheds constantly.  Maybe I didn’t notice it as much in the Fort Worth house because we had moderately dark hardwoods floors.  Here, we have a light, beige-tone laminate flooring – not my fave, for sure.  There is an area in by the front door where there is a darker, multi-tone tile – that’s my favorite area of the house because Jack Jack’s fur does not show up seconds after I have removed prior fur!  It’s become sort of a running joke lately – especially with Cubs.  He inevitably finds a lab hair in his food and I swear, I’m not putting it in there!  (…does that count as protein?)  I keep telling Jack Jack (yes, I talk to him all the time) that I am going to have him shaved.  He doesn’t mind the conversation, but I don’t know how he really feels about this topic.  It doesn’s seem be such a bad idea  -  I have seen a collie and a standard poodle in the neighborhood who are both closely shorn.  I think his fur is different though…of course it is!  He has A LOT more of it AND it’s on my floor!  Help…I’m drowning in black lab fur!!!

(p.s.  I am still waiting on the approval for more photos – hang in there…). 

 

I wish I had a nickel for every time…

 someone visited my blog… 

Here are the stats as of today:

Total Views: 1,000

I’ve had 57 posts so far.  (You do the math).

Now, on average, that’s about 20 hits a day.   I just think that’s pretty cool.   I have about 10 – 12 friends/family members who read my blog somewhat regularly.  So 1000 views suggests that a few other people out there in blogland are checking it out.  I just hope that everyone who has read my blog has enjoyed it and taken something from it – whether it’s a chuckle, an insight, a new recipe or a new wine to try, or you’ve learned a little something about Texas or Boca Raton - that’s what I’m here for.  As my friend Michael says, “I’m a giver.  That’s what I do.” 

I have considered moving to another blog host in order to add ads to my blog…then maybe I’d get a nickel or two each day.  I haven’t done it yet though because I’m not sure it would really be worth it. 

Now, if only I had a dollar for every time…