Yankee Thanksgiving

As an American in Britain, Thanksgiving is not the same family affair of my memories. Thanksgiving 2010 makes it the 3rd Thanksgiving in a row that I'm celebrating outside of my homeland. Despite no special sales on typical Thanksgiving food items, I am determined to recreate this traditional American holiday here on British soil. Unfortunately, I have no other Americans to invite to my party, but instead, I've invited a few Britons and a Pole. It's not a huge party (just under 10 people), but it's big enough considering the rather small space provided by my apartment.

I just wanted to wish all my American friends, whether they're currently in the States or abroad, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's Random Picture: 

Quick and Easy Pizza

My brother's finishing his first year at university now and in our last conversation, he complained a lot about having to cook his own meals. He's become a "health nut" in a sense that he refuses to eat any harmful additives, chemicals, and trans fatty acids (just like me!). Problem is, Ken doesn't know how to cook very well nor does he enjoy cooking or baking. Since I don't like to hear my brother suffer, I've decided to post some of my recipes (especially the easier ones) in hopes that it might help him, or others, who are on a tight budget and still want a healthy, good meal. 

Thus, today's recipe is a whole wheat pizza. White wheat flour has less nutritional value and less fiber, so I opt for whole wheat flour, which not only has more fiber but a higher nutrient content. I say it's "quick" because the time to make the pizza (actual physical labor) is probably less than 30 minutes. Most of the time, you have to wait, during which time you can read or go for a run or do something else! I didn't have much in the fridge in terms of pizza toppings, so mine is topped with homemade tomato sauce, tomatoes, parsley, mozzarella and emmental cheeses.

Pizza (8 *reasonable* servings... or if you're my roommates... 2 servings)
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon white sugar (~0.01€)
1 1/2 cups (3dl) warm water (110F/45C) (~0.01€)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast (~0.15€)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (~0.05€)
1 teaspoon salt (~0.01€)
3 1/2 cups (7dl) whole wheat flour (~0.50€)
Pizza toppings, sauce, cheese(s) of your choice (~0.50€ to ?€, depending on your toppings)


Total cost for 6-8 servings: ~1.23€!!!


Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk the sugar into the warm water.
Sprinkle yeast on top of sugar water and let it stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
Whisk in extra virgin olive oil and salt into the liquid, then add 3 cups (6dl) of the whole wheat flour.
Flour a clean surface with the remaining 1/2cup (1dl) of flour and knead the dough until it absorbs the rest of the flour and forms gluten, making it glossy (approx. 10 minutes).
Rinse out bowl or in a separate large, oiled bowl, put kneaded dough back in, covering with a little more oil.
Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic.
Let dough rise until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
After the dough rises, tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 pieces for smaller pizzas or leave as one piece for a large pizza.
Knead to form a tight ball and let it rise until it doubles again (about another hour).
Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin (or an empty, clean, wine bottle).
Drape it over your fists and if you're more professional, you can toss it to stretch the dough out further.
If not, gently pull the edges outward to stretch the pizza dough.
(If you want a thinner, crunchier crust, stretch it out as much as you can without tearing it. If you want a thicker, softer crust, don't stretch it out as much)
On a well-oiled pan, place the dough and top with homemade or store-bought tomato sauce, cheese, and any additional toppings to your liking.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your pizza.  


Today's Random Picture: 

 The closest thing to a dragon you'll probably ever see?