As promised, I tried out two of the recipes from my last entry, and have lots of feedback, tips, etc. for you.
First:
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Chocolate Heaven
This one lives up to its name! Easy to make and oh, so yummy. As my husband said after his taste test, "anything with this much chocolate in it has got to be good!" The recipe is simple and the instructions are easy to follow. If you've never made cookie dough using a food processor before (I hadn't) you need to try this...only one bowl to clean and oh so easy! Especially when your recipe calls for chocolate to be chopped into chunks...that's time consuming and messy with a chef's knife and cutting board (been there, done that!) Here's a pic of all that yummy chocolate after I'd chopped it in the food processor:
Ditto for chopping nuts with a knife...in this recipe you just toss 'em in with the flour, baking soda and salt, press ON and voila...perfectly processed pecans!
I must say, these cookies took me about half the time suggested in the recipe - about 10 minutes to whip up the dough, and then the usual 10-12 for baking. And these cookies baked beautifully...just look at the finished product: good enough to eat!
BAKING TIP: Yes, I do bake cookies on a pizza stone. If you haven't yet discovered this trick, I strongly recommend it! And yes, those are two loaves of banana bread also on the cooling rack...evidently it was baking day yesterday!
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: This cookie recipe is a keeper, as is the technique of making cookies in a food processor. I've always owned a food processor, just never used it much...mostly since it was stored in a cupboard and it always seemed easier to just leave it there instead of lugging it out, clearing enough counter space, and then having to clean this big bowl, lid and blade. But I've been converted! I've cleared a patch of counter as a new permanent home for my food processor, and I just popped the bowl, etc. in the dishwasher so cleanup was ultra-easy. The only modification I might make to this recipe in future is to cut the sugars a bit - something I often do with cookie recipes, especially with so much of two very sweet chocolates (milk & white chocolate chunks) already included.
Second:
Pesto, Cheese and Fresh Tomato Pizza & Basic Pizza Dough
Let me just say that this pizza is as good as any you'll get in a trendy Italian restaurant, especially if cooked on a stone. Now, let me explain why: this one is labour-intensive and a bit complicated (I blanched & peeled tomatoes for this one, folks) to follow, but the results are truly spectacular.
RECIPE TIP: When making a recipe for the first time, read it through thoroughly before starting. Yes, I know this, and I did it - sort of. I read through the dough recipe before making the dough, but I didn't also read the companion pizza recipe before rolling out the dough. The dough recipe didn't mention RISING at all, so I didn't let the dough rise (nice time-saver, by the way!). Then the pizza recipe said, "after the dough rises"...so I was supposed to let it rise. But how long? It doesn't say. Usually a dough recipe will specify a time and/or volume for rising, e.g. "after about an hour, when the dough has doubled in volume". Well, neither of these recipes specified so I didn't let the dough rise at all, just rolled it out into two nice, thin, 15-inch diameter pizzas.
Did the lack of rising negatively affect the dough? I don't think so! Actually, I was skeptical about trying a new dough recipe because I've always felt loyal to the long-standing family pizza dough recipe. You know, the kind of recipe everyone in the family has memorized? Yeah, like that. Anyway, I think I'll be freeing up those neurons for some other purpose since I much preferred this new recipe. The dough was lovely to handle - elastic (but not too much), not at all sticky, not too yeasty, and best of all...very tasty!
Here are some pics of the 'za getting dressed. First, the pesto, then the cheese, then the tomatoes:
TIPS: homemade pesto is not easy to spread! Patience required for this step. And yes, I know the recipe calls for plum tomatoes, but there were none at the grocery store, so I had to substitute vine-ripened "regular" tomatoes. So sue me! Also, knowing my husband's irrational aversion to any meatless meal, I did add prosciutto (okay, okay, it was honey ham slices from the deli at Costco) to one of the pizzas, with no ill effect, although I preferred the "virgin" margherita version, myself.
And what about the final product? As I said, this one is as good as you'd find at any stone-baked pizza ristorante, but you definitely have to work for it! My kids loved it (minus the tomatoes), despite the fact that it didn't look like the kind of pizza they're used to (I was worried about the presence of pesto [being green] and lack of tomato sauce). They actually ate more of this pizza than they usually do of my "regular" homemade pizza. And my husband was very impressed. "Delicious", was his single comment, before "is there any more?"
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: I'm definitely sold on this dough recipe...I've never been able to make a nice, thin dough of this kind before, and I much prefer it. Also, I loved the 3-cheese blend (parmesan, mozzarella & fontina) although I might add about 25% more next time (I do love my cheese!). Finally, I don't think I'd go to the trouble of making the pesto from scratch or blanching and peeling the tomatoes. Save that effort for diners you really want to impress!
So tell me...did anyone else try these or one of the other recipes I posted last time? What do you think? Let's get some chatter going in the comments below. If only I could pull out my cookie jar and offer you up one of the chocolate heaven cookies and a cup of java...I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Enjoy!
Now, have your say...I personally always let my kids lick the bowl, spoon, beaters, etc. In fact, I thought this was so common that it could be considered a rite of childhood! Then I randomly asked some friends and was surprised by their responses. One was honestly baffled at why anyone would want to consume uncooked dough or batter, and had never thought of offering it to her kids. Another was completely disgraced that I would let my children eat something containing raw eggs. So, what's your take on it? Let me know in the poll below:
Please email your ideas, recipes, and feedback to kitchenparty@urbanmoms.ca.
OK. Those cookies look delicious and easy enough for a non-baker to try so, for Thanksgiving weekend I am going to bake them and bring them to our family dinner. Surprise everyone! And you thought I couldn't bake from scratch ;)
I'll let you know how I do.
Oooh...I love pizza! I'll have to try that dough...I've never found a homemade dough that would achieve that thin, stone-baked result...and the pre-made crusts are always too bready/doughy for my taste...looks absolutely delish!
i'm with you. i thought it was a childrens rite of passage to lick the bowl clean.i have teenagers who still do that.i'm a little bit more careful with my 2 year old ,but even she fights for her own spoon to finish off the remains in the bowl.bon appetit
A pizza recipe that isn't swimming in greasy tomato sauce! Perfect! Or is it. As you suggested in your comments, one should always read through a new recipe before trying it, so I did. Maybe the person who typed the recipe in should have read it over as well. Do you want this site to look professional -- like moms who have busy "urban" lives can still maintain standards, or like sloppy, unprofessional women who can't even proof-read what they write. I am told in this recipe to have "12 ounces (340 gr). firm but ripe plum". Good thing the word tomato is in the name of the recipe because it isn't in the list of ingredients. And I am not going to stand in the store and try to get 340 gr or even 12 oz of tomatoes -- I am going to pick up three or five or ten tomatoes and put them in a bag! Use a realistic measurement that moms who are shopping in a hurry can figure out without a calculator or a weigh scale. I learned to count in kindergarden so I'm pretty good at it by now. The recipe then tells me to "insert the metal blade". Into what? There is no mention of a food processor. And again, I am a busy urban mom, I am not going to drag my food processor out, dig around in the cupboard for the right disc, just to slice three or four tomatoes (which, by the way, won't fit down my feed tube without a severe mashing), and then change blades grate some cheese that comes in conveniently pre-grated amounts at my local grocery store cheese counter. So I am going to get out my knife and slice my tomatoes in the same length of time it would take me to find the right blade (wash up is considerably faster as well). And as for blanching them? Tomatoes on pizza don't need to be blanched for heavens sake! This is pizza! The ultimate fast food! Besides, 1/8 inch wide strips of tomato skin is not going to kill anyone. And what temperature am I cooking this at? The recipe says "Preheat the oven to Bring 6 cups (1.5L) of water to boil in a medium saucepan." Huh? I think someone missed something there. As for the dough recipe. I am supposed to "put . our and slat" that is just plain sloppy -- no excuses. This again after putting the metal blade into something unspecified.
I could go on, but I will stop and say this: Urban Moms could be a good, useful site, if a degree of professionalism is retained, but if it is just another kitchy, sloppy, poorly researched and maintained site like so many of the other millions out there on 'net, then you won't get anywhere and will be out of date very quickly. May I suggest you do some proof-reading and rethinking before you put any more recipes up.
And one last thing -- to put a survey up about letting your children lick the bowl after a recipe using a food processor!? I always licked the beaters as a child (still do if I can hide from the kids) but the image of a 6 year old with that metal blade.... ugh!
OUCH! I guess I've been told, eh? Much as I'd like to "rise above it" as my mother would say, I feel like I have to address a few points in Katherine's comment:
First and foremost - OF COURSE you take the blade out of the food processor before you let the kids lick the bowl. I actually thought I was being INCLUSIVE in that quiz by just mentioning a "bowl" since many of the moms on this site might not have food processors, so "licking the bowl" means just what it says.
Second, about the recipe typos...this is how we received them so it was not a typographical error on our part. Sorry: we have asked for replacements that are not parsed. As for buying in grams and/or ounces vs. numbers, most groceries have scales all over in the produce section. The reason for this is that there can be a wide variety in the size of produce. 3-4 small tomatoes may not be enough, but 3-4 big ones may be too many.
Also, I DID mention in my review that blanching the tomatoes and making pesto from scratch may be a bit too much depending on the occasion - boss over for dinner? YES. Sunday dinner for husband & kids? PROBABLY NOT. That's your choice, and it's the reason why I mentioned it.
I found both these recipes quite doable for a "busy urban mom" - you have to know that if you're making homemade pizza AND homemade dough it's not going to be "the ultimate fast food" - I said right up front that this was a labour-intensive effort, but well worth it IF YOU CHOOSE TO PUT IN THE EFFORT. If you want "ultimate fast food" pizza, you'd better order in.
And finally: a note about urbanmoms. This is NOT a major corporate site with professional writers, web designers and publishers on staff. This is a small, home-grown, grassroots resource for busy urban moms CREATED BY BUSY URBAN MOMS. Women just like you. Perhaps in future if you have constructive feedback you can deliver it in a manner that will elicit thanks for a growth opportunity instead.
also? it wasn't something for the comments.
while i agree that any help readers can offer us to help make our site more professional and the best resource that it can be is GREATLY GREATLY appreciated, take it off the site. send an email.
I think that it's great on a site like this one for readers to weigh in on the discussions - so, in a post with recipes, one should expect readers to offer suggestions about those recipes - but there's no reason to be damning about it. It's a recipe for homemade pizza, so it's not going to be fast food - if someone has suggestions for making it faster (your favorite brand of pesto or tinned tomatoes or ready-made crust), then by all means say so. But to call down the author and the post itself is unpleasant.
And, gah, DUH with the licking the bowl and beaters. Are we not all grown ups here?
Wow, who knew a post about recipes, a kitchen party, could be so contentious!? Easy there, angry commenter. We're not perfect. We just want to bring some fun and yummy goodness into your lives. On my blogs, I get smacked like this sometimes; I guess people find it pleasing to take their bad mood or frustration out on people. But, it hurts. It really does. Even if it's stupid. It sticks with you for a bit. Normally, Comments are great. But, be at least civil. We are all grownups here. Seriously, we bloggers on the other side of the screen have feelings. This section of the site is new, give us a chance -- please be compassionate.
Oh, and by the way! Great post! Wonderfully written and awesome pics. YUM! As soon as I finish my detox I WILL be giving this a shot and licking the bowl myself! ;)
Elizabeth, thanks for the great recipe suggestions. I can't wait to try the pizza. Just a quick thought about some of the comments - you can't please everyone. I actually appreciated the tomatoes in ounces as I am the person stressing out at the grocery store about whether a recipe meant the larger or the smaller version of what I am picking up (yes, I understand it probably doesn't make a huge difference). But my point is, we all have different perspectives and preferences and aren't all going to like things the same way. That is what makes us unique. Perhaps I am fortunate that my job helps give me this perspective. I am the palliative nurse featured in the lounge and with my job I learned very quickly to see the bigger picture. When you see someone suffering and dying from cancer who is still so happy and joyful, you realize that something like a typo isn't worth worrying about. Community (like you find on urbanmoms.ca) and friendships are what it is all about. Thanks again for your posts.
OK folks, I actually made 'em! Or, at least, my kids and mom made 'em and I ate 'em. The cookies are AMAZING and, from what I've been told, so easy to make. The kids had a blast. Thanks Elizabeth for the great recipe!
I'd totally make them, too. But, I'm on detox.... :|
;) Glad to hear you guys had fun making them, Jen. They sound delish and fun!
Um...
Regarding the poll about licking the bowl.
I have a confession.
I said I let my kids lick the bowl and I kinda fibbed.
You see...
I save the bowl for me. :)
(I know terribly greedy but hey I'm the one in the kitchen on clean up duty and shouldn't I at least get that little benny?)
Wish that had been one of the choices! LOL