Pizza the real Italian way...

This isn't a recipe blog, but now and then I make something that turns out so yummy (or in some cases, so ridiculous) that I have to share it! This one definitely earned sharing status, so here it is.

I was organizing and filing some papers today when I came across a recipe for "Authentic Italian Pizza" from a friend in one of my anthropology classes two years ago at BYU. Since she is from Italy and we were able to sample some of her delicious cooking in that class, I knew I had to make this right away before I lost or forgot about the recipe. So, beginning with some ripe juicy tomatoes from our garden and some fresh basil, I made a sauce and let it simmer all afternoon. I used her crust recipe as well and the whole thing turned out fantastically. Here are her instructions for amazing, authentic and phenomenal pizza. Enjoy!

Pizza Crust
3-4 c flour
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 c lukewarm water

Let yeast stand in some of water with sugar until foamy; add remaining ingredients
and water and stir until well mixed (may need additional flour); knead
until smooth and elastic; let rest or refrigerate until ready to use.

Sauce
5-7 large tomatoes, cored & peeled (optional)
2-3 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
salt to taste
herbs & spices (I used oregano and fresh basil)

Place tomatoes in large pot and crush well (I used my hands);
add garlic, onion, salt and herbs/spices and simmer on low heat
as long as possible or until thick; puree with blender to desired
consistency; set aside until ready to use.

Assemble pizza with sauce, toppings and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes or until done. Let cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy hot!

Anniversary: Part 1

Paul and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary on Monday, August 8th. It is amazing how quickly two years can fly when you're having fun! And we are having fun. Marriage has been very good to us and we feel so blessed.


Paul was lucky enough to have Monday off from both work AND the academy! We were both pretty thrilled about that and decided not to complain too much when he got called into work for a bit in the morning....we still had the majority of the day to spend together (besides, I spent the first part he was gone sleeping in anyway!) Because it was still not enough time for our traditional get-away, we're saving that for later (Part 2 of the celebration). I will blog about that when it happens. But here is what we did on on the 8th:

First, we breakfasted on homemade chocolate-chip waffles and ice cream. One of our favorite breakfasts, ever.


Next, we hurried to catch an early showing of 17 Miracles at Provo Town Center mall. What a touching movie! We saved this one to watch on our anniversary and were so glad we did. We loved it! After drying my tears and leaving the theater, we browsed the mall for a while (mostly looking at cute baby girl clothes) and then headed back for a spontaneous second movie, Captain America. Also a great movie though the ending made me mad! It was, after all our anniversary and *spoiler alert* what happened to a happy ending where the guy gets the girl??? Whatever. I guess I didn't have any preparation, not knowing the story and all. It was still fun though and I've since started calling Paul my Captain America, which he really likes. Then, as if two movies wasn't enough (we'd already planned on the third, an early gift to me from Paul) we went back home to watch Hachi, one of the sweetest movies of all times and I cried again! Pregnancy hormones, obviously. We had stopped at Smith's on the way home and picked up some steaks for dinner and enjoyed the rest of a quiet evening. Simple and sweet, it was a wonderful day. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful lover!!! I am the luckiest girl alive to be married to you.

Because I Have Been Given Much

Photo courtesy of Mormon Historic Sites Foundation

I have been thinking a lot about the pioneers...I mean really thinking about them. How the sweat must have trickled down the faces of the women as they pulled homemade bread and meals from their piping hot ovens, their hair sticking to their necks as they scrubbed their laundry and washed down their floors; the men drenched in the heat of the afternoon pulling plows, coaxing horses and harvesting day, after day, after day.... It makes me tired just thinking about all that these wonderful men and women sacrificed to make our lives what they are today. And it makes me appreciate the little things - indoor plumbing, electricity, vacuums, washing machines, grocery stores, refrigeration...the list goes on and on. What a legacy these devoted pioneers left us not just from their hard work and this beautiful land, but also with the very example of their lives. I am a very spoiled modern housewife. I sleep in well past dawn each day, take naps when needed and pull an easy dinner from the cupboard or refrigerator when I am out of time or energy to make something myself. I skip out entirely sometimes to go spend time with my mother and sisters, not washing laundry by hand or sewing quilts, but crafting, scrapbooking or shopping. My life, though hard as it may seem at times is really, really easy and I am very blessed. "Where much is given, much is required" and I hope I am up to the challenge because I have been given SO much.

Happy Pioneer Day!!!