Cookies: August 2010

Somehow Summer has come and gone. Today you can feel a little Fall in the air. I love Fall if it wasn't for that one little thing... Winter is just around the corner. I am not a fan of cold weather (so what am I doing in Utah... right!)

We have relished in the sun and tried to pluck fun out of the beautiful days of Summer. There has, of course, been a lot on the to do list... but what is life without lists!

Just recently Parker and Jacey were married! We are thrilled to welcome Jacey into our crazy life and crazy family! They are very happy and enjoying the beginning, blissful, days of marriage!

We are anxiously anticipating our next big event... the birth of baby Paisley... Rachel is due on September 13, but she is ready to go whenever she is!

But tonight.... I made the tastiest bbq chicken pizza, homemade crust and all... all thanks to Pioneer Woman! She is a genius... really! So here is the recipe!

Pizza Crust

1 tsp active dry yeast

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp kosher salt

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into a bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water. I like to sprinkle a little bit of sugar as well, to activate yeast. Set aside.

In a separate bowl combine flour and salt

With an electric mixer on low speed, drizzle the olive oil and mix, just until incorporated.

Gently stir the yeast/water mixture.

Drizzle the yeast mixture into the flour/oil mixture; mix until the dough forms into a ball.

Drizzle a little olive oil into a clean bowl, toss into bowl and turn over to coat in oil. Cover with moist, warm, kitchen towel and allow to sit for 1-2 hours.

In the meantime, let's get the toppings ready! Tonight I did bbq chicken, but of course, the options are endless!
2 chicken breasts
1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
Olive oil, for drizzling
Kosher salt, for sprinkling
Fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced thinly (tonight I did not have any, so I used grated)
1/2 whole red onion, sliced very thin
Chopped cilantro, to taste

Preheat oven to 375.
Cook chicken breasts, pour barbecue sauce over the breasts and turn them to coat. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Cut into small pieces, set aside.

Get out your trusty cookie sheet, drizzle olive oil on it to coat bottom and I like to add a dusting of corn meal. It helps with a perfect crust!

Now, get out your beautiful pizza dough and using your hands - stretch out the dough to fill bottom of cookie sheet. Dont' worry about lumpy finger marks, it makes it taste better!

Spoon some barbecue sauce all over the dough and sprinkle some kosher salt.

Next add your chicken

Thinly sliced red onion

Top with cheese