Just a few more days here in north central Kentucky before we start the trek home. In keeping with that country spirit, we've enjoyed some lazy days (not to be confused with the folks' first RV, a Lazy Daze).
The folks have hit a few of their favorite nearby places. In our opinion, the best so far has been their stop at Old Kentucky Chocolates, where they got us some white chocolate dipped biscuits (for those who don't know, regular chocolate is toxic to those of the canine persuasion, but white chocolate is A-OK). Those were some good biscuits and we vote for a homemade version using tasty Flint River Ranch biscuits and Barry Callebaut white chocolate, both of which Mom has on hand! They also got some items for themselves, but since they won't share, we can't offer comment, although Dad's butt seems to be getting bigger. The second best (according to Bentley anyway) was the annual visit to Midway, where Mom bought some special face goop she likes from Kathy at Soapwerks and Dad found a jumbo Air Dog dumbell for Bentley. I'm not sure which is the bigger dumbell, though, the toy or the Puppy....
Today they drove to Louisville to check out some tourist sites. They looked in on the Science Center, but it was very crowded with some screaming, shrieking children's groups, so they headed over to a glass studio called Glassworks to watch a couple of artisans work with very hot temperatures and very molten glass.
With the carnies long gone, we thought our stay here would be boring, but thanks to Camping World it got a bit "interesting". Suffice it to say their installation team leaves a little to be desired, the Splendide parts dude Mark rocks, and Bentley got to help Dad replace a leaking hose and reinstall the washing machine after its hulking mass sat in the middle of the bathroom for a few days, making things a little cramped for all of us.
Throughout our trip, Mom's made pizza here in the RV. It's a modification of the recipe she uses at home, which is for a larger pizza. She makes it different every time, little tweaks here and there, but the dough stays the same, just the oil, sauce, and toppings change. It's kind of our Friday night tradition - watching Stargate on the SciFi Channel and eating Mom's ever-evolving and incredibly yummy pizza.
Keep in mind the folks like REALLY thin crust.
Equipment needed:
12 to 13" pizza pan (Mom uses a Doughmaker's one, the kind with the pebble-y finish)
The Dough
Spray the bowl with olive oil spray, put dough ball in bowl, spray dough with more olive oil spray, cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in draft free zone for an hour (Mom puts it in the microwave/oven).
In the meantime, combine the following in a small stovetop pan:
Spread garlic herb oil onto dough and sprinkle with a tiny bit of kosher salt
Spread desired sauce* on dough
Top with 4 to 6 ounces desired cheese**
Add any additional toppings (like pepperoni and pepperocini, sliced olives, anchovies, diced artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, sliced cooked mushrooms, drained and rinsed black beans, shredded chicken or diced fajita beef, pulled pork, etc.)
Sprinkle on a little freshly-grated parmesan
Bake at 450 or higher (up to 500) for 12 to 18 minutes until cheese is becoming golden brown
Let cool a minute or so then slice and serve
*Sauce options:
about 1/2 Cup or so plain tomato sauce or prepared sauce (if using prepared, you can omit the pepper and Italian seasonings from the garlic oil). Use however much sauce you prefer.
One or a blend of the following
The folks have hit a few of their favorite nearby places. In our opinion, the best so far has been their stop at Old Kentucky Chocolates, where they got us some white chocolate dipped biscuits (for those who don't know, regular chocolate is toxic to those of the canine persuasion, but white chocolate is A-OK). Those were some good biscuits and we vote for a homemade version using tasty Flint River Ranch biscuits and Barry Callebaut white chocolate, both of which Mom has on hand! They also got some items for themselves, but since they won't share, we can't offer comment, although Dad's butt seems to be getting bigger. The second best (according to Bentley anyway) was the annual visit to Midway, where Mom bought some special face goop she likes from Kathy at Soapwerks and Dad found a jumbo Air Dog dumbell for Bentley. I'm not sure which is the bigger dumbell, though, the toy or the Puppy....They also came home with some really unusual leftovers. A few years ago they were introduced to a unique appetizer here in Kentucky. The restaurant where they first had it has changed the menu. Now, once they can't find something they want they get as frantic as Bentley looking for his ball. That meant everywhere they went, they asked the locals where to find their prize and drew nothing but blank stares. Finally, a web search turned up a nearby restaurant where one of the top sellers is the Frickles. Yes, that's fried pickles. Batter dipped and deep fried until GB&D (golden brown and delicious) and served with ranch dressing.
Today they drove to Louisville to check out some tourist sites. They looked in on the Science Center, but it was very crowded with some screaming, shrieking children's groups, so they headed over to a glass studio called Glassworks to watch a couple of artisans work with very hot temperatures and very molten glass. 
With the carnies long gone, we thought our stay here would be boring, but thanks to Camping World it got a bit "interesting". Suffice it to say their installation team leaves a little to be desired, the Splendide parts dude Mark rocks, and Bentley got to help Dad replace a leaking hose and reinstall the washing machine after its hulking mass sat in the middle of the bathroom for a few days, making things a little cramped for all of us. The Blue Dog in the Bluegrass State
What's Cooking
Throughout our trip, Mom's made pizza here in the RV. It's a modification of the recipe she uses at home, which is for a larger pizza. She makes it different every time, little tweaks here and there, but the dough stays the same, just the oil, sauce, and toppings change. It's kind of our Friday night tradition - watching Stargate on the SciFi Channel and eating Mom's ever-evolving and incredibly yummy pizza.Keep in mind the folks like REALLY thin crust.
RV Pizza
Equipment needed:
12 to 13" pizza pan (Mom uses a Doughmaker's one, the kind with the pebble-y finish)
Oven capable of at least 450 degrees which is big enough to handle said pizza pan (otherwise, scale the recipe down or have thicker crust)
The Dough
In a medium bowl, mix with your fingers
- 7/8 Cup flour (ideally 3/4 C all-purpose and 1/8 C whole wheat, but just all-purpose will work fine)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspooon dry yeast
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/3 Cup lukewarm water
Mix until it forms a dough, scraping up all the bits. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes on the counter, sprinkling in extra flour or water as needed to make dough. Don't bother cleaning the bowl yet!
Spray the bowl with olive oil spray, put dough ball in bowl, spray dough with more olive oil spray, cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in draft free zone for an hour (Mom puts it in the microwave/oven).
In the meantime, combine the following in a small stovetop pan:
- 2 to 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 to 27 cloves of garlic, minced (Mom uses 3 to 4, use how much garlic you like)
- a few shakes of crushed red pepper flakes (as much heat as you like)
- a few grinds of black pepper
- a few shakes of Italian or pizza seasoning (or dried basil, oregano, etc.)
Simmer until fragrant but don't let the garlic brown.
To assemble the pizza:
Shape dough to fit pan (be sure to leave enough dough at the edge to share with cocker spaniels).
Spread garlic herb oil onto dough and sprinkle with a tiny bit of kosher salt
Spread desired sauce* on dough
Top with 4 to 6 ounces desired cheese**
Add any additional toppings (like pepperoni and pepperocini, sliced olives, anchovies, diced artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, sliced cooked mushrooms, drained and rinsed black beans, shredded chicken or diced fajita beef, pulled pork, etc.)
Sprinkle on a little freshly-grated parmesan
Bake at 450 or higher (up to 500) for 12 to 18 minutes until cheese is becoming golden brown
Let cool a minute or so then slice and serve
*Sauce options:
about 1/2 Cup or so plain tomato sauce or prepared sauce (if using prepared, you can omit the pepper and Italian seasonings from the garlic oil). Use however much sauce you prefer.
1 bunch of greens (like spinach, chard, beet greens), sauteed in a little olive oil or steamed. You can add some chopped garlic scapes when you cook the greens if they're in season
salsa (drained of some excess liquid)
A few tablespoons pesto
A few tablespoons tapenade
A few tablespoons BBQ sauce
**Cheese options:
One or a blend of the following
Mozzarella
Fontina
Provolone
Crumbled feta
Cheddar
Monterey jack
Asiago
Our default is plain tomato sauce and mozzarella. Start there and let your imagination run wild! We've had smoked mozzarella pizza, Mediterranian pizza, Greek pizza, white pizza with baby beet greens and garlic scapes, fajita pizza, BBQ pizza. Just make sure any veggies are cooked first so you have already evaporated out the extra moisture (or else your pizza will be soggy)