Armenian Lahmajoun: Pizza Dough Recipe

Armenian Lahmajoun:

Ingredients:

- 1 package active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 cups warm water
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 cup warm water. Allow to stand approximately 5 minutes. Yeast will become foamy as it 'eats' the sugar

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, most of the oil (save a little), remaining sugar, remaining water and the yeast preparation. Knead until smooth. Use the a little oil to remove any dough sticking to the sides of the bowl, and to remove dough from fingers. Cover with a towel and place in a warm location until doubled in size, about 2 to 3 hours.

4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly flour a large pizza sheet (or use cornmeal).

5. Roll dough out and press into circle for large pizza (probably have enough dough to divide into 2 medium pizzas) bake in preheated oven 5 minutes

6. Add pizza toppings such as sauce, cheeses, meats and veggies and continue baking for approx 15minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

Learn More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahmahjoon

Fruity Meat? Pork Chops with Raspberry Sauce

I love all the different possibilities when you combine fruit and meat for the main course for dinner: Mango Chicken, Apple Pork, Ham with Pineapple, etc! So far I am yet to really find one my family is 100% on board with (I would settle for 70% though since I know pleasing them all in one meal only happens on Saturday morning breakfasts and Thanksgiving). So, came across a new one that I thought I would try. Seems to have good reviews and I am thinking the sauce is better than mushy cooked fruit, since my 6yr old's complaint is usually about the texture.



Pork Chops with Raspberry Sauce
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4 - Or in our cast 2 adults and 3 small kids)

* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
* 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crushed
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 4 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
* 2 tablespoons orange juice
* 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
* 4 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). In a small bowl, combine crushed thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Rub evenly over pork chops.
2. Melt butter and olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Cook pork chops for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once. Remove from skillet and keep warm in preheated oven.
3. In the skillet, combine raspberry jam, orange juice, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until sauce is reduced to desired consistency (sauce will thicken as it cools). Spoon sauce in a pool onto a serving plate, and top with pork chops. Garnish with sprigs of thyme.

Recyled Storage

If you've changed as many diapers as I have, you have a few extra of those plastic baby wipes boxes sitting around. I always feel bad throwing them away so they've been stacking up and filling up with the junk and clutter that seems to collect. I finally decided it was time to tackle my 'office' shelf clutter problem.



How I Did It:
Step 1: Remove lids and spray paint black
Step 2: Glue on some autumn leaves the kids found
Step 3: Divide & Conquer - this means each box if designated for a type of clutter: rouge CDs and DVDs, Office Supplies, Notecards and Business Cards, Cords & Headphones, etc
Step 4: Add Cheap Halloween Decorations for a little color and fun

The result is hidden clutter and recycled junk disguised as something else :) I still hate this shelf, but it' a little better and now the kids get to have the Desk Apprentice for their toys which is lot's of fun for them.

Fall Means Yummy Foods

I think sometime in June or July I decided I wasn't 'cooking' anymore. But now that it's fall again I feel inspired to make some warm cozy meals. Here is one of my favorite semi-homemade dishes that makes a great lunch with leftovers.


Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
3/4 lb chicken
1 can Chicken Broth
1 Package Buitoni Linguine Noodles
10-12 Leaves Chopped Basil
2-3 Cloves Pressed Garlic
Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt
Pepper and Salt or Garlic Salt to Taste

Slightly sear the chicken in a pan with some oil and spiced sea salt.
Add 1 cup of water and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
In a medium pot add chicken broth, 2 cans water and chicken with the 'juice' from the pan.
Add the linguine, basil, garlic and seasoning
Stir, cover and bring to a boil (3-5 minutes)

DONE! And even the kids like it.

Something To Do Instead of Work... Customize Your Blog that no one reads

I came across this post while browsing for a cool new look for the blog.

I would love if my blog would match my desktop. So I'm going to attempt to make my own blog background next time I have too much work to do and don't know where to start.

But for now, it's time to stop. It's 2am and I have to be up again in a few short hours. I think I'd better get an alarm clock.

Do You Hulu?

My favorite place to watch TV online is hulu.com, especially the full episodes from 30 Rock. Who care's if you already have them on TV On Demand, they're free on Hulu.

I work at home usually, so I'm never far from my TV, but it's still reassuring to know that masses of cubicles could sneak a peek of the ridiculousness that is Tina Fey while the supervisor's back is turned. :)

Watch Season 3 Episode 13 Right Now

Founded in March 2007, Hulu is co-owned by NBC Universal, News Corp. and Providence Equity Partners. It is operated independently by a dedicated management team with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Beijing.