Food Archives - According To Amelia

National Pizza Week

January 9, 2022

It’s National Pizza Week, so what’s on the menu? Pizza of course, but first… What is pizza?

A simple question, but one with many answers and non which are wrong! The obvious answer is, it’s food! Some may dig a bit deeper and say; “It’s an Italian meal, made with staple ingredients”. I say; lets get philosophical! What is pizza? Sure you can categorize it as food, but to me it’s more then that. It’s a basic pleasure, a source of life, a gatherer of people, an ice breaker, but also a science project, as well as an art form.

Lets have a look at the dough first. Pretty basic right? Less then a hand full of ingredients are needed, the final result however can vary tremendously, depending on how those are combined.

Commence science project! Activating the yeast for a perfect dough, requires a secret ingredient, which most recipes don’t even include. Here’s the best kept kitchen secret, a little bit of sugar make everything better. To activate the yeast for a softer and fluffier dough, you will need chemistry 101. Add a tea spoon of sugar to your yeast and water mixture and gaze at the marvel, that will develop in your very own laboratory. You will know it’s done, when an eruption of bubbles has formed, like the volcano you made in grade one science class. But wait, don’t put away your sorcerer wand just yet! Other mediums are still required for that “easy” dough. You will need to conjure up the perfect room temperature as well as humidity, no one said alchemy is easy.

This next part is for all you creative souls out there. Now that you have your beautiful canvas, aka the dough, we can begin on our master piece. Food is all about having fun, whether you are making, eating, sharing, gifting, etc. So then lets have some fun and play with our food! Imagine Michelangelo embarking on the Sistine Chapel, obviously without the Pope and his Vatican entourage breathing down your neck, but still… You get where I’m going with this. The toppings are your paint and your hand is the brush. Make a master piece, that will entice all your senses. Happy National Pizza Week!

https://accordingtoamelia.com/?p=645

Dutch Oven Baking

December 28, 2021

There’s so much more you can do with your Dutch oven, then just making stews. Have you ever tried Dutch oven baking?

Dutch ovens have in the past few years made a massive comeback, thanks to social media and partly also because of the pandemic. During the endless lockdowns, we tried desperately to find joy in simpler things, as life slowed down. Gathering around a shared meal with loved ones, has since the beginning of time been a joyous event. Technology made staying in touch with the people we love and hold dear to us easier. We shared ideas, inspired and also found inspiration with likeminded people.

I, myself, have made many new friendships over the last two years, with other amateur bakers and home chefs. This is also when my appreciation for Dutch ovens began. I have made and tried so many new and enticing recipes with my new and favorite kitchen tool, but I don’t recall ever baking in it. I’m not one to say no to anything, so I accepted the challenge with open arms! Over the Christmas holidays, I made my favorite recipe for brunch, Cinnamon Rolls! I made them in my braiser, for no other reason then, I wanted to try Dutch oven baking and the surface areas allowed for more rolls to be baked together. The result was so good! The most evenly baked, moist and juicy Cinnamon Rolls I’ve ever made! I used this recipe.

Dutch ovens are great for frying, braising, simmering, stewing and also baking! These heavy duty pots and pans can be costly, but worth every single penny. They age well, they are decorative and will for sure become your next kitchen BFF.

Gift Giving, A Sweet Affair https://accordingtoamelia.com/?p=637

Gift Giving Is A Sweet Affair.

December 17, 2021

Gift giving is a sweet affair, especially during Christmas. So why not give a showstopper, that is sure to put a sweet taste in their mouth? A fresh batch of homemade cookie dough is perfect, for anyone who wants to add a touch of quintessential made-with-love to their gift-giving-game. These delicious morsels, are as pleasing to eat, as they are to gaze upon. The festive, yet simple packaging of these parcels, makes them a perfect teacher, parent or neighbor present. For a one of a kind cookie swap idea, make smaller tubes to send home with your guests. They will appreciate the party favor, because who says no to homemade cookies?!

Roll cookie dough into a cylindrical shape (for easy cutting and shape), place it in some cling wrap and pack tightly. For texture and extra layer, place the wrapped dough in a sheet of grease proof paper and at last, roll it in a final sheet of craft paper, for that nostalgic and rustic look. As a finishing touch, cut a small piece of accent paper, add some twine and a festive tag. Voila!

10 Christmas Holiday Cookie Recipes To Try

December 14, 2021

10 Christmas Holiday Cookie Recipes To Try.

Bakers assemble and rejoice, for the baking season is finally upon us! I think it’s safe to say, that by now everyone has managed to either embrace winter, found those last crumbs of holiday cheer that was packed away, and/or both if you are one of the lucky ones. Fret not my fellow bakers, for whether you are in the mood for something sweet, want to try out a new recipe or want to deck out for a cookie swap party, I have got you covered! Here’s 10 Christmas holiday cookie recipes to try.