Wednesday, June 15, 2022

DIRECT ARTISAN PIZZA DOUGH

DIRECT ARTISAN PIZZA DOUGH 

Photo by ALB:  Dough ready to be wrapped and go into freezer. Other dough-ball is already in the refrigerator.


Adapted from Dorie Greenspan who adapted it from MODERNIST PIZZA by the Modernist Cuisine team, Nathan Myhrvold & head chef Francisco Migoya 

Makes three 14-inch (35-cm) pizzas 
Total Time: Active 15–20 minutes / Inactive 6 hours 

 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Here are some very good notes from the Modernist Cuisine Team (they're the "we"), with some added commentary from Michael. Dorie recommends reading these notes, then the recipe in its entirety, and then the notes once more before you set to work. This is a project! My notes are "ALB." 
 
We recommend Giusto’s High Performer High Protein Unbleached Flour. Michael says: I usually use King Arthur Bread Flour because it’s easy for me to get locally. In Paris, I use regular King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, which Dorie brings over for testing her recipes. ALB used Gold Medal All Trumps Flour. 

When you are adding the oil to the mixer, try to pour the oil toward the center of the dough rather than to the outside of the dough. This helps keep it from sloshing around the bowl and makes it easier for the mixer to fully incorporate it into the dough. 

We typically use a dough hook to mix all our medium-crust pizza doughs. If the ingredient quantities aren’t large enough for the dough hook to mix them well in a stand mixer, use a paddle attachment initially to mix the ingredients uniformly. Once you have a homogeneous mass (the dough is sticky and wet, and there are no visible clumps or unincorporated water), switch to a hook attachment. Alb used the dough hook, and stopped it once to scrape the sides. 

Final mix time at higher speeds may vary from machine to machine. Michael says: If your flour is not High Protein, that might also increase the time it takes to get to the final stage. Whatever the model and yield, the goal is to achieve a good mix and full gluten development. Consider our suggested times as guidelines only. Use the windowpane test to help determine the dough’s stage of gluten development.

Michael says: With regular unbleached flour and our old but trusty KitchenAid K5A, it takes almost 30 minutes for the dough to pass the windowpane test. 

After preshaping, you can also cold-proof this dough at 39°F for 1–2 days for even better baking and texture results. If you cold-proof the dough, remove the dough from refrigeration 1 1/2–2 hours before shaping so it warms up and is easier to stretch out. 

Michael says: If it’s just the two of us, I freeze the extra dough as soon as I form it into balls. To defrost it, I put it in the refrigerator overnight – that way it defrosts evenly – then take it out, bring it to room temperature and carry on (step 13 below). 

ALB says if you aren't using the metric measurements but using Cups, backoff on the water or increase your flour.  The dough is very wet otherwise.

INGREDIENTS 
2 cups (480 grams) water, 70 F/21 C 
1 teaspoon instant dry yeast (Michael and ALB use SAF brand) 
4 2/3 cups (625 grams) high-gluten bread flour, 13%–14% protein (see notes) 
1 tablespoon + 1/4 teaspoon (13 grams) diastatic malt powder (you can order this, but Michael says that, in a pinch, you can sub an equal amount of sugar) 
2 1/4 teaspoons (12.5 grams) fine salt (ALB used Kosher, because she wasn't paying attention)
1 tablespoon + 1 1/4 teaspoons (20 grams) extra-virgin olive oil 

MAKING THE DOUGH 
1) Combine the water and yeast in the mixer’s bowl and whisk to dissolve the yeast. 

 2) Add the flour and malt powder, and mix on low speed to a shaggy mass, about 1 minute. Use the dough hook here; see notes. 

3) Mix on medium speed to low gluten development, about 5 minutes. 

4) Add the salt and mix on medium speed until it is fully incorporated, about 1 minute. 

5) Add the oil with the machine running on medium speed and mix the dough until it reaches full gluten development, about 11 minutes. This can take longer; see notes. For ALB it took 20 minutes, but that could be a function of the mixer.  It gets very hot, and moves around a lot, so medium on a KA is "3" for her.

6) Perform the windowpane test to assess gluten development. Take a portion of dough in your hands and stretch it: the more the dough can stretch without tearing, the more the gluten has developed. The dough will hold the window for at least 8–10 seconds and it can be stretched to the point that it is nearly see-through when it has reached full gluten development. 

7) Transfer the dough to a lightly floured worktable. Cover well with plastic wrap. 

8) Bench rest for 20 minutes. 

9) Divide the dough into three even-sized pieces. Michael says: I divide the dough into 4 pieces for two reasons: 1) we’re often only two people and a 14-inch pizza is too much for us; and 2) in Paris, our oven is too small to easily accommodate a 14-incher. (ALB's note: I got 3...this is why I'm fat

10) To pre-shape, place each cut square of dough smooth side down. Fold the top one-third of the dough toward the middle, and then fold the bottom one-third toward the middle, overlapping the ends slightly to form an envelope. 11) Rotate the dough 90° and roll the dough up lengthwise. 

12) Gently round the dough with both hands, leaving the seam side down, to create a tight, round package. 

13) If necessary, pinch the seam shut. This is important to prevent it from ripping when you shape it. 

14) Repeat steps 10–13 with the two remaining pieces of dough . 

15) Place on a sheet pan. Spray a very light mist of water over the dough. (ALB sprayed with PAM)

16) Cover the dough well with plastic wrap. 

ALB Cold-fermented (one in the fridge for 48 hours( and froze the 2 other wrapped doughs so skipped 17 and 18.  Follow the Pre-shaping Note for how long, how to defrost, and how to let it come to room-temperature.

17) Proof the dough, covered, for 4 1/2–5 1/2 hours at 70°F. 

18) Test for proof using the fingertip test. Gently press the exposed surface of the dough for 2 seconds; the pressure should leave a small dent in the dough; it will slowly spring back, but the indentation should remain clearly visible after 1–2 seconds. 

19) Shape, assemble, and bake the pizza – either follow your own recipe or keep scrolling.

HOW TO SHAPE AND BAKE A PIZZA 
Adapted from MODERNIST PIZZA by the Modernist Cuisine team, Nathan Myhrvold & head chef Francisco Migoya 

1) Preheat the oven to 550°F for at least 30 minutes with a baking steel or baking stone in the top third of the oven. Some home ovens will not reach 550°F (in some cases 525°F is the highest they will get). If this is the case, increase the baking time by 1–2 minutes. If you prefer a darker crust, simply bake the pizza for longer, but check it every 30 seconds after the recommended time to ensure it doesn’t burn. Michael says: In our Paris oven, where this pizza was baked, we use “top and bottom convection” and put the rack in the center of the oven. 

2) Generously flour your worktable. 

3) Lift the pizza dough from the sheet pan using a narrow, sharp bench knife. 

4) Place it on the worktable, seam side up and dust the top with more flour. 

5) Press down on the dough with your fingers, leaving a 0.5–1 inch border. You will not need your palms or thumbs yet. Your fingers will arch naturally, so don’t make them too stiff. 

6) Rotate the dough 180° and repeat step 5. The point is to create an even disc that is flat in the center and has an even rim. 

7) Flip the dough over and flatten the center again, pushing the dough in an outward motion to extend the central part of the dough. It should be 6–8 inches in diameter. 

8) Place the dough disc on the backs of your hands so that the smooth side is in contact with your hands. 

9) Stretch your hands apart gently, rotating the dough 90° as you stretch farther and farther. Keep stretching the dough until it reaches 14 inches in diameter. 

10) Distribute the toppings that need to be baked evenly to the rim. Michael says: I do this when the dough is on the peel (I dust the peel with semolina) – I think it’s easier to move the loaded pizza around this way. ALB puts the dough on a cornmeal-dusted heated pizza stonebefore doing the toppings.  Have the toppings ready before doing this.

11) Slide the dough onto a peel or slide the peel at about a 5° angle under the dough, using quick, jerking back-and-forth motions, until it is completely on the peel. (See Michael’s note to Step 10) 

12) Load onto the baking steel or baking stone in the oven with a quick pull-away motion. 

13) Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating 180° halfway through baking. Michael says: Baking time really depends on the oven. Start checking at 4 minutes. ALB bakes it at 550 for 7 minutes.

14) Check the doneness of the bottom of the pizza. 

15) Remove the pizza and place on a serving tray. ALB: Cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 6–8 triangles. 

16) Distribute whatever other toppings you’re using over the pizza. For example, if you’ve got soft, fresh cheese, cooked meats, like prosciutto, or salad, like arugula, you’d put these on the individual slices of pizza now. Michael says: Putting fresh toppings on the pizza when it comes out of the oven is really the way to go. The contrast of textures is terrific and fresh, uncooked ingredients also bring brightness. Cutting the slices and then topping them individually is also a great idea, but we don’t do that. I say: I’m loving the idea of cutting the slices, setting out a few toppings and seasonings and having everyone make their own pizza. Party time!

Greek Chicken With Cucumber-Feta Salad

It was Tuesday, so I was in charge of dinner. I saw this recipe and decided I should make it, except I should use convenience items. It was pretty easy to make, and I would do it again.

Greek Chicken With Cucumber-Feta Salad

Photo by ALB

4 servings

Ingredients
10 oz container of Tzatziki Dip (used Aldi Cucumber Dill Tzatziki Dip, 10 oz) 
 Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) 
 Black pepper 
1 teaspoon dried oregano or mint  (used oregano)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry
1 ½ pounds cucumbers 
1 pound ripe tomatoes 
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed (used Cooking Spray) 
4 ounces feta, crumbled (about 3/4 cup) 
½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (didn't use)
 Next time adding Pepperoncini 

Directions
Step 1:
In a large bowl, dump the tzatziki; season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer 1/2 cup of the yogurt to a medium bowl and reserve for Step 5.  

Step 2:
Coat the chicken: To the large bowl, add the oregano and stir to combine. Season the chicken all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add the chicken to the large bowl and turn to coat; set aside. 

Step 3:
Start the salad: Smash the cucumbers with the side of your knife until craggy and split. Rip into ½- to 1-inch pieces and transfer to a colander placed in the sink. Slice or chop the tomatoes into bite-size pieces. Add to the cucumbers along with 1 ½ teaspoons salt. (It may seem like a lot of salt, but most will drain away.) Toss to combine and leave to drain. I did none of this.  I cut the cucumber in chunks.  I cut the tomatoes and tried to take out as much of the seeds as possible (1 pound is a lot).  Dice the pepperoncinis. 

Step 4:
In a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium (spray a lot of Cooking Spray). Scrape excess marinade off the chicken, then cook the chicken in batches, adding oil to the pan if necessary, until it’s well browned and releases from the pan, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, another 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to plates to rest. 

Step 5: 
To the medium bowl of yogurt, add the feta and mash with a fork until a chunky paste forms. Shake the cucumbers and tomatoes to get rid of any excess moisture. Add to the feta yogurt along with the olives pepperoncini and stir until coated. The balance is dependent on your produce and feta, so season to taste with salt and pepper until flavors are vivid. Eat alongside the chicken.

14 WW points and (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake

 Yet another vegetarian recipe.

D didn't like it as much as I did, but it had beans and tomato paste in it, neither ingredient is he big on.  And I might have been heavy on the tomato paste. 

I would have it again. Not sure about him.  We had with a salad.

Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake

Adapted from Ali Slagle 


Photo by ALB


Serves: 3
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil 
6 fat garlic cloves, thinly sliced 
1/2 medium onion, chopped 
3 heaping tablespoons tomato paste 
1 tsp oregano 
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (less if you want less spicy) 
2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (such as cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed 
½ cup boiling water 
 Kosher salt and black pepper
 ⅓ pound mozzarella, coarsely grated (about 1 1/3 cups) 

Directions 
Heat the oven to 475 degrees. In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry the onion and garlic until they are lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste (be careful of splattering) and fry for 30 seconds, reducing the heat as needed to prevent the garlic from burning. Add the oregano and crushed red pepper.  Add the beans, water and generous pinches of salt and pepper and stir to combine. 

Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, then bake until the cheese has melted and browned in spots, 5 to 10 minutes. If the top is not as toasted as you’d like, run the skillet under the broiler for a minute or 2. Serve at once. 

8 WW points and (my additions/subtractions at 3 servings)

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Sheet-Pan Mushroom Parmigiana

 In our adventures of finding new vegetarian recipes, this one came up.  I don't like cherry tomatoes, and couldn't see what they added to the dish, so we decided to omit them.

Then when D actually made it, he made it his own way.

Sheet-Pan Mushroom Parmigiana

Photo by ALB


Adapted from Hetty McKinnon
YIELD: 4 servings
TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS 
10 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (1 pint) (didn't use)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (6 garlic of course)
 Extra-virgin olive oil (1.5 TBSP)
 Kosher salt and black pepper 
8 portobello mushrooms, stems removed (keep stems)
3 cups store-bought or homemade marinara sauce (used Classico Spicy Red Pepper)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded low-moisture mozzarella (reduced from 3 to 2 Cups)
1 cup panko bread crumbs (mixed 1/2 C of panko with 1/2 Italian Seasoned breadcrumbs).
added 1 TBSP butter
½ cup (1/2 ounce) basil leaves, finely chopped, plus more leaves for topping 

PREPARATION 
Heat oven to 425 degrees. 
Arrange the cherry tomatoes on a sheet pan, along with half the garlic, and drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Cut up mushroom stems and garlic finely and mix that all together.  
Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and toss to coat the tomatoes. 

To the sheet pan, add the mushroom caps and drizzle each generously with olive oil. (Don’t skimp here, as the olive oil will add lots of rich flavor.) Scatter the mushrooms with the remaining garlic, and season each mushroom with salt and black pepper. Fill each mushroom the stem blend, and with marinara sauce, and top with cheese. Place in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly and golden. 

Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and add the bread crumbs, basil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt (I would omit the salt, D would not). Stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Remove from heat immediately and transfer to a bowl or jar. 

To serve, transfer mushrooms to serving plates. Top each mushroom with the basil bread crumbs and scatter with a few basil leaves.

14 WW points and 2 vegetables (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Friday, January 7, 2022

Butternut-Kale Lasagna

So I helped make this. From the reviews on Cooking Light, I roasted the butternut instead of microwaving. D and I both enjoyed it, but thought it would be fantastic with pancetta. We had no side.

Butternut-Kale Lasagna

Photo by ALB

Gruyère-spiked béchamel drapes over the noodles and squash to give Butternut-Kale Lasagna velvety richness. Hearty, earthy kale perfectly balances the sweet squash, and crunchy, toasted pecans crown the top of this luscious lasagna

Hands-On: 25 mins
Total: 55 mins
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients
¼ cup water (didn't use)
1 (12-ounce) package prechopped fresh butternut squash (if not precut, cut in 1/2-inch pieces so you get more squash in each bite)
3 cups prechopped kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic (used 11 cloves
1 ⅛ ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup)
2 ¾ cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
2 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded and divided
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
6 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 tablespoons chopped pecans

Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 450°.

Step 2
Combine 1/4 cup water and squash in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; pierce plastic wrap 2 to 3 times. Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until tender; drain. (I did not do this. I combined the butternut with 1 tbsp of olive oil, some salt and pepper, 5 cloves of garlic, minced, and some thyme (I didn't measure). I baked in the oven on a cookie sheet for 25 minutes. While that was happening, I removed the thick stems from the kale.) Combine squash and kale in a large bowl. Wipe dish dry.

Step 3
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oil to pan (used PAM); swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes or until garlic begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add milk mixture and remaining 2 1/4 cups milk to pan; increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 ounce Gruyère, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and pepper; stir until cheese melts.

Step 4
Coat baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/3 cup milk mixture in bottom of dish. Arrange 2 noodles over milk mixture; top with half of squash mixture and 2/3 cup milk mixture. Repeat layers once, ending with remaining noodles and remaining milk mixture. Cover with foil; bake at 450° for 15 minutes. Remove foil; sprinkle remaining Gruyère and pecans over top. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned and sauce is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 420 calories; fat 16.3g; saturated fat 5.8g; mono fat 7.3g; poly fat 2.1g; protein 20.4g; carbohydrates 51.4g; fiber 4.5g; cholesterol 29mg; iron 3.1mg; sodium 556mg; calcium 557mg.

12 WW points and a vegetable (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

This is one of those recipes that is good, but could be so much better.  Like you learned to cook by opening up Ragu and putting it on frozen Ravioli, rather than making a lasagna.  It needed fresher ingredients and garlic.

Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

Photo by ALB

Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

Active: 20 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 6 (only got 5)

Ingredients
1 (24 ounce) package frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli (used 22 oz frozen)
1 pound lean ground beef (used 93%)
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 (28 ounce) can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls, divided (used Sargento Mozzarella because we had it in the fridge)

Directions
Step 1
Preheat broiler. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook ravioli according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Step 2
Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a large cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes, using the back of a wooden spoon to crumble the beef. Season with oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Step 3
Add tomatoes and basil; bring to a simmer. Fold in the cooked ravioli and half of the mozzarella balls.

Step 4
Scatter the remaining mozzarella balls over the top of the pasta. Carefully transfer the pan to the oven. Broil until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

16 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 5 servings)

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, SAUSAGE, AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN MEAL

D said we could have this if he could put butternut squash in it, so we compromised and put in both.
It was good, although a little small.  Still would have again.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, SAUSAGE, AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN MEAL

Photo by ALB

Yield 4 SERVINGS
prep time 10 MINUTES
cook time 40 MINUTES
total time 50 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS
1 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into medium-sized cubes
Added 2 Cups of Butternut Squash
3 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 pkg. (4 or 5 links) pre-cooked chicken, turkey, or pork sausage (about 14-16 oz. sausage) (used Aidells Basil and Garlic Chicken Sausage)
1 lb. broccoli, trimmed and cut apart to make about 3/4 pound broccoli pieces
salt and additional fresh-ground black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 450F/230C and spray sheet pan with non-stick spray.

Cut up two (or one) medium sweet potatoes (and butternut) into cubes that aren't too small. (I made cubes that were about one inch across.)

Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Put sweet potato cubes into a bowl and toss with half the oil-balsamic mixture.

Spread sweet potatoes out on a sheet pan, put pan in the oven, and start to roast for 15 minutes.

Slice sausage into slices about 3/4 inch thick. (We trimmed off the ends so the sausage would have a flat end on both sides.)

When sweet potatoes have roasted 15 minutes, add sausage pieces to the sheet pan and roast 10 minutes more.

Cut up broccoli into same-size pieces (about the size of the other ingredients.)

Put broccoli into the bowl and toss broccoli with the rest of the oil-balsamic mixture.

Remove sheet pan from the oven and turn sausage pieces over. Then spread sausage and sweet potatoes apart and tuck broccoli pieces between them.

Put sheet pan back in the oven and cook 15 minutes more, or until broccoli is done to your liking and sausages and sweet potatoes are nicely browned.

Season with a little salt and fresh-ground black pepper and serve hot.

9 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)