Pizza Dough

Total Time: 3 hr 15 min Prep: 15 min Inactive: 3 hr
Yield: 3 (13-ounce) balls of dough Level: Intermediate

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water, 100 to 110 degrees F, plus extra as needed
• 1 (1/4-ounce) packet active dry yeast
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Directions

Put the water in a small bowl. Add the yeast and stir until dissolved.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour and salt together. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little extra water, 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too sticky, add extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. With floured hands, knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drizzle the inside of a clean bowl with olive oil. Put the dough in the bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Set the bowl in a warm, draft-free place, until the dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Using a fist, deflate the dough in the center and cut it into 3 equal-sized pieces. Form the dough pieces into 3 balls and put into 3 oiled bowls. Cover each bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 1 hour. Remove the dough and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

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CATEGORIES:

• Pizza

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French Onion Soup Topped French Bread Pizzas and Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Total Time: 1 hr 10 min Prep: 25 min Cook: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings Level: Easy

Ingredients

• French Onion Pizzas:
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6 large yellow onions, very thinly sliced
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/3 cup dry sherry
• Two 10-ounce cans beef consomme
• 1 large or 2 medium loaves French bread, split horizontally and then halved crosswise to make 4 pieces
• 2 cups shredded gruyere
• 12 ounces ripe Camembert, sliced
• Salad:
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 small shallot, grated
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup EVOO
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 6 to 8 cups chopped earthy or crisp greens, such as spinach, escarole and romaine hearts

Directions

For the pizzas: Heat the butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the thyme, onions and bay leaves and season with salt and pepper. Cook low and slow until deep caramel in color and very sweet, 35 to 40 minutes. Deglaze with the sherry, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Stir in the consomme.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Toast the bread in the oven. Top with the onion mixture and the cheeses. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

For the salad: Combine the vinegar, honey, lemon juice and shallost in a large bowl and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustard and then the EVOO; season with salt and pepper. Add the greens and toss to coat with the dressing.

Serve the pizzas with the salad.

Cook's Note: The onion topping can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen.

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

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CATEGORIES:

• Onion
• Main Dish
• Pizza

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Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Ingredients

• 1 package dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Toppings for Pizza:
• Grated mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced onions
• Sliced mushrooms (chanterelles)
• Roasted red bell peppers, peeled, seeded, sliced
• Calamata olives, pitted and sliced
• Japanese eggplant, sliced thin
• Leeks, washed well, outer leaves trimmed, sliced into "rings"
• Broccoli florets
• Spinach leaves

Directions

Proof yeast in a measuring cup with lukewarm water.

In a food processor add whole wheat and all purpose flours, proofed yeast, oil mixed with honey and salt. Pulse processor to combine all ingredients. Then process until the dough forms a ball on the blade. Remove dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in bulk.

Punch down dough and transfer to a floured board and knead briefly. Divide dough into 4 equal portions and roll each piece into a ball. Place the balls of dough, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Bring the dough to room temperature before proceeding.

On a floured board roll and stretch each piece of dough into a 7 to 8-inch circle. Place each circle on a wooden pizza peel or pizza pan and top as desired.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. and bake 7 to 8 minutes per pizza.

Recipe Courtesy of Curtis Aikens

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CATEGORIES:

• Mozzarella
• Dinner
• Pizza

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Prosciutto Pizza with Cauliflower Crust

Total Time: 35 min Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 1 small head cauliflower, chopped (about 5 cups)
• 2 ounces shredded Asiago (1 cup)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or oregano
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil, for brushing
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (6 ounces)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 4 slices prosciutto (1 ounce), sliced into ribbons
• Crushed red pepper flakes, for sprinkling
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions

Special equipment: A pizza stone or baking sheet; a pizza peel, flat cutting board or cookie sheet; and a clean kitchen towel.

Preheat a pizza stone or clean baking sheet in an oven to 475 degrees F.

Add the cauliflower to a food processor and pulse until finely ground and the consistency of couscous; you should have about 4 cups.

Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl. Add the Asiago, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper and combine until the mixture holds together when pinched. Pour onto a clean kitchen towel and wring out as much moisture as you can.

Line a pizza peel, flat cutting board or cookie sheet with parchment and brush with some oil. Spread the cauliflower mixture into a 12-inch circle. Slide the parchment onto the preheated pizza stone and bake until barely golden and darker at the edges, about 15 minutes.

Remove the crust from the oven, sprinkle with the mozzarella and spread the marinara over the top (this keeps the crust from becoming soggy and the cheese from sliding). Scatter the prosciutto across the top and sprinkle with a good pinch of crushed red pepper. Slide back onto the pizza stone and bake until bubbly with browned spots, about 4 minutes.

Sprinkle with the basil just before serving.

Copyright 2014 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

From Food Network Kitchen

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CATEGORIES:

• Cauliflower
• Pizza
• Baking

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Celebrity Baby Boy Names

Are you looking for some inspiration for a baby boy name? If so, you may want to think about the names of some of your favorite celebrities. There are a number of celebrities with first names that could make a perfect name for your baby boy. Here are some of the celebrity names that you may want to take into consideration!

 

Simple Celebrity Names For Boys

There are a number of celebrities who have very simple baby names. If you are looking for something that is easy and perhaps traditional, one of these celebrity baby names may be a great choice for you. Some celebrities with simple baby names that you may want to consider include Adam Sandler,Matt Damon, Paul Walker, Patrick Dempsey, and Will Smith are some examples of celebrities with very short names. A trend among celebrity names is to use a shortened version of a name, such as Tom Cruise instead of Thomas Cruise.

Trendy Celebrity Names For Boys

Are you thinking about choosing a somewhat more trendy baby name for your baby boy? There are some celebrities who have names which are somewhat more trendy, and may be a suitable choice for your baby boy. Ashton Kutcher,Brad Pitt, Shane West, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zac Efron, and Taylor Lautner all have baby names which are very trendy.

Unisex Celebrity Names For Boys

If you don't know the sex of your baby, don't worry! There are a number of celebrities who have names which can be used for both boys and girls. Taylor Lautner, Jaden Smith, and Peyton Manning all are male celebrities who have unisex names. Hayden Panettiere, Jordin Sparks, Dakota Fanning, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Mackenzie Phillips all are female celebrities who have unisex names. The good thing about unisex baby names is that they are very trendy!

Female Celeb Last Names For Boys

There are a few celebrity last names which have become somewhat popular among baby boy name trends. The name Hudson, for example, which comes from Kate Hudson is an option that you may want to consider. Parker, which comes from Sarah Jessica Parker, is also a very trendy name among boys. Be sure to consider last names of female celebrities that you would like your baby to have.

Unique Celebrity Names For Boys

If you are looking for a more unique baby name for boys, there are a few celebrities who have names which may be suiting to your needs. Keanu Reeves, Forrest Whitaker, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, and Jules Asner are some of the celebrities who have more unique names. Since baby boy names are less likely to change over the years due to familial naming traditions, it is not surprising that there are only a few celebrities with unique names.

As you can see, there are a number of male celebrities who have names which could be ideal for your baby boy. Whether you want a more unique baby name, a unisex baby name, a simple baby name or a trendy baby name, one of your favorite celebs may have a name which is suitable for your son!

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The importance of name meanings

The happiest day for a couple after getting married is supposed to be the day when they are blessed with a new member in their lives, the Baby. Every year more than 120 millions babies are born on the earth. Different religions, different cultures and different places are the factors which mark the differences in the newborns. No matter what culture people across the globe follow, the process of giving the name to the baby is followed everywhere. All the preliterate people emphasize way much while naming their young ones of the family. A lot of people believe in giving meaningful names to the babies as they believe it brings good luck and fortunes to them in future. No matter were it the early days or in the recent times, Name Meanings are given huge importance.

 

 

Name is just not a collaboration of letters put together to form a word, but name actually is considered to be as the definition of the person. Success and happiness in the coming life is considered to be thriving upon the kind of a name given to a young one. A name with a proper meaning is not just considered as good luck, but also it changes the fortune stars. Name Meanings have a close connection to the planets as well. People believe that the planets of fortune and misfortune revolve around your names. So everyone should be very selective and careful while naming their beloved children. Most of the people don’t really emphasize on the meanings of the names and the effect it may cause on the lives while naming their newborns. But studies and our ancestors tell us that we should always know about the meanings the psychological, ethnic and religious aspects of our names.

 

We live in a world where celebrities are the only ideals of our lives, from film stars to the favorite soccer players, from models to other super heroes. Many of the people christen their children with their favorite celebrity names without even knowing the meanings of those names. One needs to know that one person’s food can be another one’s poison. You assess your kid with a name just once and that should be done after taking all necessary measures. Copying famous names is no crime, but for the sake of your own infants, going through the Name Meanings is a must.

 

To make sure the name is easily pronounceable; the explicitness should not turn into an unpleasant form. Also, falling in tradition completely isn’t a good way either, all the holy names may not be that favorable for the kid. Rather using names those commemorates events or define a subject may fall much suitable for the baby. The way a name with a good meaning describes the uniqueness and gives a personal identity to an individual is the reason why we go through various names responsibly while assessing our young ones with the best name that we can come up with.

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Names and Destiny

It is a regular belief that one’s name determines his/her destiny. This belief has been around for so many years and has been proven true. Once a baby is born, the name given to that child goes a long way in influencing his/her way of life. These days, parents do a lot of research before naming their children because they would not want to contribute to the waywardness of that child. Different cultures has names that influence the destiny of a child that is why parents give their children that has good meaning in their different cultural background. Through finding out the true meaning of your name you can discover your potentials.

 

Although Destiny is a name on its own, it means one’s fate or fortune. It is mostly given to female children but the male version of this name could be Destin, Dustin or Dustan. In most African countries, when a baby is born they are given a name in their dialect and another name in English mainly for public use. Due to the fact that one name is in their dialect it will be difficult for anyone with evil intentions to know the meaning so it is a form of protection.

In Roman countries, names are weighed equally with one’s destiny. It is only those with victorious names that were chosen to be leaders in the Roman Empire. In Europe, Runic systems are used to understand the meaning and personality attached to a name. Each Runic symbol has a special meaning and in order to understand the meaning of your name, you will convert the name to a set of runic symbol and then the personality and attributes of your name will be understood.

 

Scientists has carried out a research and discovered that children with horrible names experience bad luck, they lack self-confidence, come out with low grades and are usually faced with emotional problems. Giving your children unusual and successful names will make them successful in life.

Biblically, names carry spiritual meanings. Even the book of proverbs 22 verse 1 says that a good name is greater than all the wealth one can acquire. Make sure you choose a name not for its literal meaning but for its spiritual meaning because a child’s name goes a long way to impact his/her life.

Before choosing a name for your child, make sure you make your research to find out the meaning of the name so that you will not end up being the cause of your child’s downfall.

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