3 Dogs

 

Since I am still busy with the jewelry making side of things, here are 3 drawings I did back in the winter. 

 The "Dalmatian" evolved, covering up an old image in my sketchbook and it kind of took over what was underneath.  I say this because I just noticed a nose poking itself through. hummm.

crosshatch, line ,chalk charcoal.

a brief little pen and ink sketch in an acrylic ink, of a "Loyal Dog looking to his Master".

and one, of our smallest dog  "Pirate", waiting to go somewhere... anywhere, please!... as long as he is with a master-type human being, he is ready.

...for this little drawing, I smudged charcoal over the page and wiped the excess off with a cloth, so that it made a smooth gray starting point.. then started the drawing by using an eraser to define the shape. I added the color for emphasis.  a fun way to work... but it wasn't really work. 

at Desideratum Art and Jewelry Studio, St. Martins, NB

Homemade Pizza Pie... in the Toaster Oven

When I am really busy and want something quick,  this is a great recipe.  It takes 5 minutes to pop all the crust ingredients  into the bread-maker pan... it mixes for 1 1/2 hours on the "dough" setting, while I get more work done in the studio.

This pizza dough recipe is enough for two Pyrex pie pans... the dough is really smooth and easy to stretch to the right size. I pull it up the sides of the pan and then we load all the goodies on top.

I didn't let it raise for any extra time after we loaded it up 

 (I was too hungry and I couldn't wait but it raised nice and puffy anyway while it was cooking.

Here it is after about 20 min. in the convection toaster oven. I made it purposely to fit my toaster oven cause my big oven was on the blink and I wanted to see what I could do with the appliances I had in my kitchen before I bought a new stove... (they are too expensive and they don't make them to last anymore... oh don't get me started... but I digress)  My toaster oven is only big enough to cook one at a time so the second pizza did raise a bit more.. it is beef, onion, parmesan, and chedder cheese.. 

I used a large can of spiced crushed tomatoes that I had bought by mistake but it worked out perfect for this recipe.  We strained them, divided the tomatoes  between the two pie dishes, sprinkled the teeniest bit of sugar over the tomatoes to take away any bitterness and...  with the cup full of delicious tomato juice that was set aside, we made a couple of Bloody Mary's to accompany our kitchen duties.   Bonus!!! 

...of course they were gone by the time the pizzas were cooked.

here's a pic of the crust after it slid out of the dish to cool.  I know, it is a deep dish pizza but I was in the mood for a big thick crust.. if you would like a thinner crust you can use a big cookie sheet but you will need a bigger oven... anyway  it was cooked just right, smelled and tasted excellent.

and it was so easy...  this will be a regular dish when i am in a hurry.. next time ham and pineapple.

here is the recipe for the crust...  it can be mixed by hand too if you would prefer, but for me, it always turns out so well by mixing in the bread-maker, why reinvent the wheel.... Plus it saves time.

Pizza Dough

1 Cup Beer (I was out of beer so I  just used water, still worked out)

1 Tbsp. oil

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 3/4 Cups white flour ( different flour combinations can be used)

2 tsp. yeast

***

then it goes thru the mixing cycle and pre-raises .

divide the dough in half and shape into each of the pie pans.

top each pizza with sauce of your choice, and your favourite toppings.

bake at 425 F. for 15 -20 minutes.

Bon Appetite!