A few of my favorite things...

This weekend was about being domestic. A quiet weekend sandwiched between bursts of activity. A weekend filled with cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. A weekend filled with extreme productivity which I often find more relaxing than any vacation I've ever had.

But this blog entry is different than those in the past.

This one has recipes. Yummy recipes.
Okay... links to other peoples recipes.
Food is like art. I know what I like and I'm not afraid to try anything and everything under the sun. No ingredient is too expensive to try once (in a tiny amount) and no item too exotic to order if only for the story.

So here are this weeks adventures in cooking. Let me know if you try them, how they turned out and how you would make them better next time.

Ranch Dressing - Thanks to The Pioneer Woman Blog

I'll never buy the packaged stuff again. Not in a bottle (yuck) or in a green and white envelope. Simple, easy, cheap... all my favorite attributes in a recipe.

My advice, be sure to chop the parsley very fine. Next time, I'll try using a food processor.

Honey-Wheat Pizza Dough - Thanks to California Pizza Kitchen

Homemade Pizza

This has been my favorite pizza dough recipe for many, many years. I use a bread machine to make it perfect everytime. I usually top it with simple ingredients (sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts are two of my fav's) and bake it in the toaster oven. Makes a large dough ball that I keep in the fridge for quick weeknight dinners. Pair with a salad... yum.

Margarita with Raspberry Thyme Syrup

Raspberry-Thyme Syrup - Thanks to Real Simple Magazine but no link. (bummer).

So easy. 1/2 cup berries, couple of sprigs of fresh time, cup of sugar, cup of water. Stir. Bring to boil. (Stir so it doesn't boil over.) When it starts to thicken, turn off and cool for an hour. Strain. Keep in glass container in fridge for a couple of weeks - but it won't last that long. Great addition to traditional margaritas.

I was skeptical about the thyme. Smelled like Thanksgiving but it was just the right touch to cut the sweetness of a pre-made margarita in a bottle. Lots of room to experiment with this one.

Infused Tequila - Again, thanks to Real Simple Mag but no link.

Not your boyfriends hooch

I tried 2 variations - Habanero and Meyer Lemon. (Separate but might be good together. Try it and let me know.)

Easy... 2 cups silver tequila in a mason jar. Add your infusers.

For Habenero - 2 peppers split.
For Meyer Lemon - The peel of one lemon, quartered. (I squeezed the juice for another recipe.)
Put the lid on the jar and then let set for 5 - 10 days. Try it every day until you reach the desired flavor. (That in itself makes this one a lot of fun.) I just started mine on Sat so I'll report the (hiccup) outcome next weekend.


For more food related info - you can follow my other blog, "Fabulous Food Blog".
Even better, become a contributor, play along and share your own recipes and insights.

S.