Pizza Dough!

Due to a combination of both delicious looking flat-bread recipes on my food blogs, and my co-worker's mention of making her own pizza dough last week, I have taken it upon myself to try a home-made pizza dough as well. And I'm throwing a pizza party to test it all out.

Before the party, though, I first must pre-make the dough. That's what tonight's adventure shall be about.

Here's what you'll need:

1 package dry active yeast (2 tspns)
1 cup warm water
3 cups flour (I used whole wheat again)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and set aside.
2. Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
3. Make a well in the center of flour mix and pour olive oil and yeast mixture into it.
4. Mix dough until a ball starts to form, then knead on lightly floured surface for 4-5 minutes.


5. Lightly oil a glass bowl and the ball of dough, cover, and let rise for about an hour. Set in warm location.

I let my dough sit for an hour, walked my dogs, and when I came back I was very happy to see that my pizza dough had indeed risen. I have read about other bloggers not having the same luck. Then...I poked it down and let it rise for one more hour.


Roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface. Trying to achieve a nice, round, pizza-like shape is probably the hardest part of this whole process.
Then spread your sauce and add your toppings. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling!

Coté Sud

Cory and I went to Coté Sud, formally Ciro's, a couple of weeks ago for dinner.

I had been there once before with my family back in March. I think it was for my brother's birthday dinner. I can no longer remember what I got, but I do remember being satisfied with everything and tasting the other dishes on the table as well. My parents frequent the place quite often.



This time I started with a cocktail called the French 75. Best invention ever. And I'm pretty sure it was intended for me: mixing my two favorite drinks into one delicious blend. Champagne plus gin plus a slice of lemon.

Next I had a small Salade Maison consisting of lettuce, tomato, black olives, and mozzarella cheese with a house vinaigrette. I forgot to take a picture of it.

For my entrée I had one of their daily specials. Veal with potatoes and asparagus. The sauce was creamy and the asparagus had a nice crunch to them.


Cory had the Magret de Canard aux Pêches (duck breast with peaches, prune, apricot, and Bourbon sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes)
I think I might have liked his dish more...doesn't that always happen...but that didn't stop me from eating mine.


We of course had to peruse the dessert list and there were about 3 or 4 that I wanted to try. Both of us glanced at a table across the way and that's how we decided to go with the layered chocolate mousse cake. Because I'm my father's daughter I also had an after dinner coffee.
The chocolate cake was very good, but honestly it was a little bit too rich and chocolate-y for my likings. If you're a chocolate person, by all means go for it. I found myself wishing I had gotten the puff pastry or upside down apple tart, but there's always next time!

The next day my sister finished the chocolate cake and I had a lunch of gourmet left-overs.

Would I go back? Of course. I hear they make wonderful pizza, which I must try.
Diners beware: cash and check only