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Note
I like to dabble in cooking, but am no means a chef. Proceed at your own risk.
Michael's Favorite Oatmeal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Put everything EXCEPT peanut butter in a pot. Mixed together.
  2. Bring pot to boil, then reduce heat to low.
  3. Mash banana with something, i.e. a wooden spoon
  4. Cover and let cook for another 5-8 minutes. Cook longer for softer oats, less for more al dente :)
  5. Remove from heat, stir, and slop into a bowl. Place two glops of peanut butter on top with your favorite spoon
  6. Enjoy with a nice hot cup of coffee or whatever your breakfast beverage of choice may be
Perfect Pizza Dough

Ingredients

Dough Prep

  1. Stir warm water and yeast together in a large mixing bowl and let sit for 5 minutes
  2. Add in flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix with your hands until you've made a big ol shaggy mess
  3. Dust counter with flour and place your dough on it. Kneed for 5 minutes. Add flour if necessary. When it comes to dryness, the dough should be just past the point of sticky. It shouldn't be sticking to your hands.
  4. Once you're happy with the consistency and the dough is thoroughly mixed, form a rough ball and cut into four equal pieces.
  5. Round up the pieces into balls, dust with flour (you'll thank me later) and place into individual baggies.
  6. You can freeze the dough up to the inevitable heat death of the universe (untested). Otherwise, refrigerate up to a week (also untested).

Baking

  1. When ready to make, take dough out of freezer or fridge and place on counter in a lightly flour-dusted bowl and cover in plastic wrap. The goal here is to minimize air exposure to the dough.
  2. Let the dough sit until it is room temperature. This is the most difficult step of the whole process. The dough should not be cool to the touch. 1.5-2ish hours from fridge, longer from freezer.
  3. Seriously, the last step is important. Room temperature dough is a must. Go for a jog or eat a snack while you wait. Sometimes I start a new game of civ 5 and forget about pizza altogether. Your call.
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
  5. Spread the dough. Don't roll it. There are some great Youtube videos out there that can help with this.
  6. Cover with your preferred toppings
  7. Bake for ~10 minutes. Keep and eye on the crust. Wait for it to brown if you prefer crispier, or take out earlier if you like softer
  8. Enjoy!
Sourdough Bread

Ingredients

Dough Prep

  1. Stir all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until a sticky and uniform ball of dough forms. ~2 minutes
  2. Cover bowl and allow to rise until doubled in size. ~90 minutes
  3. Split dough into two pieces (we'll be making two loaves)
  4. Shape dough into a ball, using flour to prevent it sticking to the work surface and hands. Spread the dough from the top, pulling the sides underneath the ball, forming a seam there. This will ensure the bread has a smooth crust.
  5. Set ball on a lightly floured or greased surface, cover (I use cling wrap), and let rest for 20 minutes
  6. Gently roll the dough ball back and forth to elongate it into loaf-form. Ensure that the seem stays on the bottom. I shoot for about 10 inches in length.
  7. Set the dough on parchment on a baking sheet, or gently place into a greased loaf pan. Cover, and let rise until puffy ~1 hour
  8. Preheat oven to 425f (220c)
  9. Once puffy, make two deep diagonal slashes along the length of the dough. (I don't do this when baking in a loaf pan)

Baking

  1. Set pan in the oven. If using a loaf pan, set a foil tent on top to prevent over browning.
  2. Bake until the bread is golden brown in color. About 25-30 minutes. If using a loaf pan, I like to remove the foil tent for the last 5 minutes or so.
  3. Remove from oven and let the bread rest on a cooling rack without the pan.
  4. Wait until it is relatively cooled before slicing. Enjoy!


a nice palm tree blowing in the breeze