Cooking - Pizza Night

June 30, 2015

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If you're looking for a fun night in with your close friends or a date, I'd say pizza night is the way to go. It gets a bit messy in an enjoyable way, and you get the pleasure of being creative with the toppings. And sometimes, someone may come up with a pretty disgusting combination of toppings, but that's what makes it all the more amusing (in a gross way).

You can put as many toppings as you'd like although the result is not guaranteed

I like to get all of my ingredients from Trader Joe's - the fresh dough, mozzarella block, tomato paste, and all of my toppings. I've been questioning whether the consistency of their tomato paste is orthodox enough, but it's easy and tastes good, so I've just been using that.

The best part of making pizza at home is that you get to put any and as many toppings as you want. Some of my favorite toppings include pepperoni, prosciutto & arugula, anchovies, etc.

No dough roller? No problem! Cover a wine bottle with saran wrap, and you're good to go.

I'm currently in a long and complicated move, which means most of my kitchen supplies are in storage. But having no dough roller made it more fun with the good ol' wine bottle technique.

I've seen people use different kinds of cheeses prepared in different ways. For me, the safest way to go is to get a block of fresh mozzarella cheese and just rip it up into pieces and throw them on generously. It never fails.

If you haven't tried yet, eggs make a great topping. With bacon. Bacon and eggs make everything good.

Enjoy this simple, fun, cheesy goodness with your favorite people!

Simple Pizza

By Velvet Mixtape

Published 06/29/2015

Simple recipe for pizza

Ingredients

1 bag of fresh dough (you can find it at Trader Joe's)
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
3oz canned tomato paste
Flour for dusting
Desired toppings like vegetables and meats

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Put the dough on a flat space dusted with flour. Use a dough roller to roll out the dough in all directions until it becomes extremely thin
Generously spread the tomato paste
Rip the mozzarella into pieces and throw them onto the pie generously (the more cheese the better)
Top with your favorite toppings
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese starts bubbling and the crust turns golden brown

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 00 hrs. 15 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.

Total time: 25 mins.

Tags: food, pizza, baking, homemade, italian

Activity - Working From Home

June 25, 2015

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Sometimes you burn your toast, you know? Then put that piece on the bottom so no one notices it in your pictures.

I feel fortunate to have a job that allows me to work from home sometimes. And I also feel fortunate to live in a house that overlooks a gorgeous hill and is surrounded by different wild animals. It makes working from home so much more enjoyable.

Being an outgoing introvert means I love being around people, yet I burn out really fast. There are definitely some days when I just need to be away from everyone so I don't start hating everyone around me. So the freedom to work from home, I gotta say, has been really nice.

By the way, if you're looking for a different way to eat your toast, try making some soy sauce butter to dip your toast in. Just microwave 2 tbsp of butter in a bowl and when it's melted, add 1 tbsp of soy sauce and mix well. Dip small pieces of toast in it. Just try it.

It's also nice to have some company when you're working from home, like an animal or two. But not THESE guys...

I ran back inside after noticing them right behind me. Note to self: Stay away from the crazy wild turkeys when working from home. Ok, time to get back to work. Have a great day at work everyone!

Activity - Picnic at Tomales Bay Oyster Farm

June 23, 2015

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I like to call myself a "city girl" and often hate on my current life in suburbia. But the truth is, it's really really hard to hate the Bay Area. The air is fresh, the weather is flawless, and the sky is wide open and crystal clear. There are amazing hiking trails wherever you go, and beautiful bodies of water to boast. And there is this - Tomales Bay Oyster Farm.

At least once a year, I go out to Tomales Bay to indulge in the amazingly fresh oysters and just have a great time. In the past, these oyster parties have also included extras like Moonshine, Korean BBQ, and gourmet cheese/wine. So, even if you're not a die-hard oyster fan, I guarantee you won't have a bad time at the oyster farm.

Linguine alle vongole made on the bbq grill, with the fresh littleneck clams from the farm

Shucking one too many oysters in the heat and dust with some booze will knock you out pretty fast. But, a quick hike up a nearby short trail will refresh and sober you up. Oh, but don't forget to eat some watermelon beforehand to keep hydrated.

When you get tired of eating and shucking, you can take a walk around the water and meet the cutest dogs.

And who knows, you may find a pearl or two. ;)

Destination - Havana, Cuba

June 15, 2015

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Ever since I saw Buena Vista Social Club for the first time about 15 years ago, Cuba has been my #1 dream destination. That's such a typical story for all the Cuba-lovers out there, but I almost believe there are certain people who are destined to be attracted to this country. And the movie is just one of the many ways the country calls your name - IF you are chosen, that is.

Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ La Bodeguita Del Medio — Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ **La Bodeguita Del Medio**

The best way to visit Cuba is to go with absolutely no expectations. Because whatever you expect, the country will show you the exact opposite, and you will often find yourself being disappointed. During my short trip, I was disappointed and depressed at so many moments, but also exhilarated, inspired, then in love. I'd never felt so bipolar in my life 'til this trip.

Visiting Cuba is like that crazy relationship you could never get out of - there's no way to have any sort of control over how things will go. It's exactly like that, and more.

Now that it has been legalized for Americans to freely visit the country, I expect there to be a lot of changes - both good and bad. But the Cuba in my memories will never change. The innocent people who also happen to be scammers, the heart-wrenching music you hear in every corner, the kids and dogs on the streets, the sunsets.. Everything romantic and disgusting, I will remember.

Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ Plaza de la Revolucion — Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ **Plaza de la Revolucion**

Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El Floridita — Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El **Floridita**

Adios, my Cuba.

Destination - Eating My Way Through Portland

June 10, 2015

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Tasty Mary @ Tasty & Alder — Tasty Mary @ **Tasty & Alder**

You have to agree with me that the best travel itineraries are the ones that are built around food. And Portland is one of the best cities for such itineraries.

Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ Lardo — Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ **Lardo**

Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ Tasty & Alder — Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ **Tasty & Alder**

Korean Fried Chicken @ Tasty & Alder — Korean Fried Chicken @ **Tasty & Alder**

In the beautiful city of roses, you will find some well-done American cuisine as well as ethnic dishes, solid microbrews, the finest coffee, amazing local pinot noir, the world's best donuts, and yards full of food carts.

With the freshest local ingredients and adventurous cooking styles, the dishes Portland puts out are nothing like what you can find elsewhere.