My NOT Satay. Pizzapizza!

Well, folks, looks likes it's going to be a pizza night tonight. Chicken satay will have to wait until tomorrow.

My ingredients: 1/2 cup warm water 1 packet yeast 2 TB sugar 1 egg 1-2 TB olive oil 1/2 cup wheat flour about 1 1/2 cups bread flour

I sprinkled the yeast on top of warm water.

Sprinkled the sugar over top of that.

Waited a few minutes until the yeast proofed.

Added in 1 egg.

A tablespoon or 2 of olive oil.

One half cup of whole wheat flour.

Then I added in some bread flour just until I could turn it out onto a floured board.

I started kneading this mess, gradually adding flour into it as it needed it. Might have used, tops, 1 1/2 cups bread flour.

Knead for about 10-15 minutes.

Place in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic.

Then here's my little trick for rising dough. Wet a dish towel, nuke it for about 90 seconds, then cover the bread bowl with the towel, and leave in the microwave to let rise.

Mr. Hawthorne started on his sauce. First, he added in some regular sausage and chorizo in his pan.

Cooked the sausages, then mopped up the grease with paper towels.

Instead of opening up a new can of tomato sauce, I had him use the leftover tomato paste I was keeping in the fridge. He added some water to make a nice sauce, then pepper and oregano.

We have Brick Cheese (similar to a Mozzarella) and a medium cheddar cheese, both of which came in Christmas gift baskets, and a Monterey Jack cheese.

Here they are.

Mr. Hawthorne grated all three cheeses.

About an hour later, my dough had doubled in size.

I floured my board and kneaded the dough a bit more. It's now nice and smooth and elastic.

Mr. Hawthorne oiled his pan and commenced to working on the dough.

Following my instructions, he took his time, spreading out the dough from the center to the edges.

Every now and then, stop and let the dough rest for about 5 minutes, then continue.

The pan went into a preheated 425-degree oven until nicely browned.

First, Mr. Hawthorne put a layer of cheese on the pizza crust.

Then he added his sauce.

Some black olives went on.

Some mushrooms.

Broccoli florets.

Slices of onion.

And roasted red peppers. Now, Imonna hafta think of something to do with the roasted red peppers. All since those things don't last for long in the fridge. They'll get a fuzzy white mold on 'em in no time. So, tomorrow, I'll figger out something to do with them. I got half an idea now - I have some ice-cubed blocks of pesto, some Mozzarella cheese. Ahh. The start of a plan. Will continue this idea later.

Next, some fresh peppers.

And finally, the rest of the cheese.

Back into the oven and wallah! PIZZA!

Sometimes, you just need PIZZA.

Apparently, tonight was one of those times for Mr. Hawthorne.

Doesn't this look appetizing?

Mouth watering good pizza. Which reminds me - Years ago, a dear friend, whom I hadn't seen in years (since my Danville, Va. days - 25 years ago) was in town. She called me, said she and friends were here, and I said come on over and bring your friends and I'll fix you a great dinner. Now, this is the beach, so I asked her what would she like for dinner. Shrimp? Scallops? Lobster? Fish? Crabs? Softshells? Clams? Tuna? Mahi? Grouper? Rockfish? Flounder? You name it, I'll fix it. My friend just said, "Rosie, I haven't had one of your pizzas for over 20 years. I want one of your pizzas." So, pizza, she had. And it made me feel so good to be asked for my pizza and it made me feel so good to be able to provide it for her and her friends. She remembered my pizza. That's what cooking is all about. Friendship. Memories. Good food. Celebration.

Now, all was not lost, was it? You got pretty pizza pictures, complete with close ups, step-by-step instructions on how to make your own pizza, a cheesy story about pizza (Hah! A pun!) and the promise of Chicken Satay tomorrow.

Stay tuned for my Chicken Satay. And let's just hope it'll be more than just "good."