Pho Trip

Recently my friend took me out for Pho for my birthday. I was very skeptical and scared to try it. First off I am a very picky eater and I heard from friends that there was guts and eyeballs in their soup.

I took a chance and agreed to going out. Waiting in line I was freaking out (what was I going to order!!). My friend Breanna and I sat down and I let her order first. Not knowing what to get I asked to get the same but with white meat.

I was very surprised when it came because it looked like regular soup. I was expecting something different. Something shocking. 

They probably realized I was having trouble with the chop stick because they later brought me a fork. Yes, I know it's lame that I don't know how to use chop sticks but its on my to do learning list.

The soup was delicious! It left me feeling very light but full at the same time,  Thanks to my friend Breanna I tried a new food that I now absolutely love.

If your scared to try Pho take a chance and try it. What have you got to loose. It' inexpensive and tastes amazing. Ask around and make sure you try it at a reputable place that way you don't get any mysterious floaties in your soup. Eww. 

Baking and Pastries

Currently I am taking a Baking and Pastries R.O.P. class at Edison High School and it is fantastic! The Regional Occupation Program (R.O.P.) was created as a guide for hands on learning in an interest that you have. This helps us get prepared for a field of study that we are interested in or extra learning for a hobby.

I go to my class two times a week for approximately two and a half to three hours. Each time I go we make anywhere from two to five things depending on the duration of the prep and cooking time. In my kitchen group of four we divvy up the responsibilities and get working on our job. 

This past week we made pizza from scratch. Each week  is divided into different baking techniques and with pizza we learned how to work with yeast. It tasted great and was defiantly worth the work put into it.

Here is the recipe for the pizza and sauce. 

Pizza Dough 

Thin Pizza Crust

Yield: 1 Pizza (maybe 2 if thin)

2-1/2 to 3 c. all purpose flour

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 c. warm water (105-115 degrees F)

2 T. cooking oil

2 t. sugar

1 egg

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine 1-1/4 c. flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

2. Add 1 egg to mixture (room temp.)

3. Stir in warm water (105-115 degrees F) and cooking oil

4. Beat at a low speed with an electric mixer for one minute, scraping bowl occasionally

5. Beat for 3 minutes at a medium speed

6. Stir in as much flour as you can mix until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl at least 1-1/4 c. flour adding 1/4 c. at a time

7. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface

8. Kneed dough until smooth and elastic

9. Shape dough into a small ball and lightly coat with shortening

10. Place slightly greased dough ball in Ziploc bag and remove air

11. Set dough in a bad under a heat lamp to rise

12. Turn bag every 10 min. so the dough will not cook in bag

13. Punch down dough in bag after 45 min. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Pizza Sauce

Yield: for one pizza

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/exquisite-pizza-sauce/

Pizza Toppings

Yield: for one Pizza

1. Roll out pizza dough to size of pizza pan (make 1-3 pizzas depending on thickness) do not roll out on pan it will get stuck in holes

2. Spread sauce on pizza dough using the back of a ladle or spoon. Keep the sauce off the crust. Do not double up crust.

3.Sprinkle 8 oz. mozzarella cheese over sauce

4.Sprinkle 1/2 c. cheddar cheese on top of mozzarella for color

5.Add pepperoni or any other toppings 

Halloween Craft

Other than Christmas, Halloween is my favorite holiday! It’s a day when we can dress up as anything and pretend to be anyone we want. The free food, spooky mazes, and crazy costumes add to the holiday spirit that leaves a Happy Halloween for everybody.

My friend showed me how to make these adorable vampire pumpkins pictured above on the left. They are super easy to make; any age can do it. I brought this home to my family and everyone wanted to make one. I guarantee that you can easily make this; even my five year old sister made one.

I found these detailed instructions on Martha Stewart's Website

Vampire Tools and Materials

-Thumbtack or pin
-Small white or orange pumpkin (For a big bite, choose a small pumpkin so the plastic vampire teeth seem larger)
-Small saw
-Plastic vampire teeth
-Small red or black map tacks
-Mouth template

Vampire Pumpkin How-To

!. Print mouth template. Lay template on pumpkin and poke thumbtack through, all along outline, to transfer design. Cut out with saw; remove excess flesh (twist: don't remove guts but place teeth in and spill pumpkin guts outside the teeth)
2. Wedge teeth into hole (make hole a little bigger vertically so teeth aren't clamped shut)
3. For eyes, pin map tacks onto pumpkin
4. Fangs, http://www.partycity.com/. Map pins, 1/8 inch, red or black; http://www.latitudesmapstore.net/

 Hope you have a Happy Halloween and stay safe!

Halloween Deals

Halloween is tomorrow and many companies are giving out free are discounted items just for dressing up! Have fun trick or treating and BE SAFE!

Discounted Items
Chipotle- come to 4 p.m. in your Halloween costume to receive an burrito, bowl, or salad for just $2.

Sonic- $0.50 Corn dogs all day

Steam- P.C. retailer game site discounts dozens of scary games through November 1st

Areopostale- Take $20 off a purchase of $80 or more with the coupon code HALLOWEEN before 11:59 p.m. on Halloween.

Wendy's- Selling coupon books for 5 Jr. frosty's for $1. You can hand them out to trick-or-treaters or use them for yourself.

Bob Evans- With the purchase of an adult meal you can receive one free child's meal if your child is dressed up in a Halloween costume. Here is the link for the coupon Free Kids Meal.

Chill's- With the purchase of an adult meal you can receive one free child's meal (12 or under) if your child is dressed up in a Halloween costume. Here is the link for the coupon Free Kids Meal.

Subway- With purchase of a Subway Fresh Fit kids meal kids will receive a reusable bag and glow stick.

Free
Bass Pro shop- Take the kids from 5-8 p.m. for free photos, coloring books, and treats.

Krispy Kreme- Show up and receive a free Halloween or pumpkin spice doughnut for any child or adult.