Two Philly Classics at Home
at home in philly
shiny and goldenDaddyO has made this recipe more than a couple times. This was his first attempt a year ago. They were good then but seemed even better this time. Here is the recipe that produces a chewy tasty snack every time.
(Alton Brown)
- 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
- 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Pretzel salt
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
(Epicurious)
- 1/2 clove garlic
- 1 cup beer
- 2 cups (about 8 ounces) coarsely grated Colby cheese or orange cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
- Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
Rub the bottom and side of a heavy saucepan with the cut garlic. Place the garlic clove in the pan, add the beer, and bring to a boil over high heat.
Meanwhile, place the cheese and cornstarch in a bowl and toss to mix. Sprinkle the cheese into the boiling beer, stirring it with a wooden spoon. Let the sauce come back to a boil; it will thicken.
Reduce the heat slightly, stir in the mustard, and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently until smooth and rich-tasting, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring steadily with the wooden spoon. The purist can fish out and discard the garlic clove; otherwise, one lucky person will get to eat it.
now that's a cheese steak(Alton Brown)
Ingredients:
- 1 trimmed chain section from a beef tenderloin, approximately 6 to 8 ounces*
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion, julienned
- 2 hoagie rolls
- 2 ounces grated Mimolette cheese
Cook's Note: *Add any leftovers scraps from other parts of the tenderloin that you like
Remove the beef from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking.
Preheat a grill pan over high heat.
Lightly pound the chain with a smooth meat mallet until it is even thickness throughout. Toss the meat with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Once the grill pan is hot, place the chain on the pan and cook on both sides until cooked through, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. If necessary, cut the chain in half or thirds to fit on the pan. Remove the chain from the grill and wrap in aluminum foil. Allow to rest while the onions are cooking.
Add remaining teaspoon of oil to grill pan and saute the onions on the grill until they are tender and beginning to brown, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
Slice the beef into small strips and divide evenly among the hoagie rolls. Pour any juice from the meat onto the hoagie as well. Top the meat with the cheese, followed by the onions. Wrap the sandwiches in aluminum foil for 10 minutes and serve.
but where's the cheese whiz?
North to Philly
enjoying the schuylkill river
reading with avia and the cousins
a hearty breakfast togetherSunday morning was a drive into the city for a fabulous church service at Tenth Pres, lunch at Lovash, and coffee at Volo. A few parks and a little shopping were mixed in as well. We would sure love to move back to the city!
downtown girls
run through the parkIt was a wonderful weekend home with family!
Mt. Trashmore
climbing her own mountain
Planting A Rainbow
As much as I would love to be preparing for a garden right now, Sprout Robot definitely got me in the mood , the fact that sand not soil surrounds us, our patio is the size of a postage stamp, and we wouldn't be around to enjoy the fruits or our labor anyway, I have accepted the fact that potted flowers are the only thing growing right now in our condo.DaddyO picked up a pot of daffodils for EJ a few days ago after he realized what an impact buying flowers for me had made. We can't pass the floral section at Trader Joe's without her reminding me of the flowers he had given me. So now, part of our breakfast ritual is reading Planting a Rainbow together and then watering her delicate blooms.
She loves finding her favorite colored flowers in the book, they happen to be yellow, and then comparing them to her daffodils.
Handprint Valentine Photo Frame
Although chocolate was probably on the top of his list, DaddyO got a special valentine from EJ this year that would last a little longer and be a little healthier. She made him a a frame with her hand prints and photo that will go with him on the ship.It was a fun and easy project for us to do together. When I saw the wood frame at Michaels for $1 the idea immediately came to mind. We picked up a couple bottles of acrylic paint (black, red, pink) a foam paint brush, and a white paint marker, and were set to start!
The only other thing needed is your little ones hands. EJ was happy to share them!
First I painted the frame black and then let EJ have fun with her hands. She loved painting them and seeing the print they left. First the right, then the left.
We finished the frame off with a few phrases around the heart, inserted EJ's Valentine picture, and the frame was ready for EJ to give DaddyO on her Valentine date with him.
We wrapped up the frame and tied with a bow and EJ was ready to "date with Daddy" at Starbucks. She gave him the frame and he gave her a tin of chocolate:)
heading out on their date
Valentine Balloons
sure do love that face
balloon heart applique
as an outfit
DaddyO's Mini Homecoming
his ship coming inI have been counting down the days till his return with EJ and I realized how much she understood when she asked the night before if DaddyO would be home that night. She was just a day off!
I got word early morning that DaddyO's ship was approaching the coastline and I should be able to see it soon. I attached my zoom to the camera and started watching. It was a little before breakfast that we saw the silhouette of the carrier on the horizon. EJ and I poured our cereal and enjoyed watching the ship sail across our windows.
getting bigger
and bigger
EJ watched and watched all the blue and green uniforms walk by trying to spot her DaddyO.
And then there he was, a head above the crowd, walking right towards her!
She gave him a big kiss and a hug and wouldn't let him leave her sight the rest of the day.
We spent the day doing some of her favorite things...eating sushi, going to the playground, and cuddling up with DaddyO and reading a book.
Doumar's Cones and BBQ
All Natural Fruit Juice "Jello"
and you have jello...EJ is always willing to help me make her jello.
The most difficult part of the whole process is waiting the couple hours it takes for the juice to set. She likes to open the refrigerator and check on the bright red glasses chilling inside.
Once the jello is ready though, all the waiting is worth it!
Here is the recipe we use:
4 envelopes unflavored gelatine (one Knox box)
1 cup cold fruit juice
3 cups fruit juice, heated to boiling
1. Sprinkle gelatin over cold juice in measuring cup; let stand one minute. Add cold juice to the hot juice in pan and stir until gelatin completely dissovles, about 5 minutes.
2. Pour into desired cups or pans.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
Valentine Sweater Dress
sporting her dress with uncle jThe dress was very simple and can be made in under 30 minutes.
I felted a pink 100% wool sweater I found for $1 at the thrift shop and placed one of EJ's jumper dresses over it. I cut the edges off following the pattern of the dress but left the neckline intact. I then sewed the side seams together and did a zigzag stitch on the sleeves. The dress was sewn! To add a little extra valentine fun I appliqued hearts to the front and back of the dress using some scrap red fabric in my stash.
The result was an extra soft sweater dress that brings a little more love to the upcoming holiday!
