Sunday, July 15, 2012

Focaccia Love

I love bread.  I love the smell of bread.  I love making bread.  I love the reaction of yeast in water, the stress relief that comes with kneading dough into a smooth, soft ball.  I love the simple pleasure of making and baking and eating fresh bread.  Mmm.

Bread.

Focaccia is one of my favorite breads.  Chewy but crisp, and covered with any toppings you want.  I want to share Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella focaccia with you today!

1 packet Yeast
1 cup warm water
1tsp honey
Mix together in a bowl and let sit about 10 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.

Add to the yeast mixture
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 c olive oil
1tsp kosher salt
Mix all and then knead on a floured surface, about 5-10 minutes until smooth.  Place dough in an oied bowl and cover with a cloth.  Let rest about an hour, until double in size.

Press dough all the way to the corners of an oiled 9x13 pan.  Poke some holes with your fingers throughout the dough. Drizzle with a little olive oil and let rest about 20 minutes.

Top with sliced fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.

Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Let cool a bit before serving.  Enjoy!









Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Sweet Baby D You Will Always Be

My baby will be two.  How can that be?  I feel like I can remember the morning you were ready to come see us, come into this world.  It was July 4, 2010.  I thought I had a stomach ache from the cookout the night before.  It was labor.  I slept through it, although not very fitfully.  Your aunts Jo and Sharon came to take care of Simon before Grandma Kathy came from Boulder to watch after him while I managed cramps and labor as best I could waiting for you to arrive.  They called an hour after we called to say it was time, asking it we wanted anything from McDonalds.  We almost laughed.  No no no.  Just get here.  This guy is coming and soon.  As soon as they arrived we kissed and hugged Simon with all that was left of an only child love.  My water broke at eleven and you arrived at two thirty or so.  My epidural was so strong the nurses and midwife had to tell me when to push.  It felt like three pushes (I'm sure it was more) and you were out.  A beautiful 9 pound 4 ounce baby boy.  Long long fingers.  Hair.  Your brother was so excited to see you and hold you and meet you and you've been thick as thieves ever since.  You lost a pound before we went home.  Then the kidney, or lack thereof.  You're a thriving, beautiful, amazing, smart, hilarious, little guy.  Nobody would ever know the stress of your first year but us.  So what, one kidney.  Look at you!  You're an amazing kid.  You're growing and you're changing and you're on in 365 billion.  I love you to the moon and back little Duncan Ainsley.  You continue to amaze me every day.  I will always love you like I did the first moment I laid eyes on you.

-Momma