It's TGIF day (thank God it's Friday)! I feel like I have to spell out that acronym since my 15 year old didn't have a clue when I said it this morning. He is always making fun of me for my lack of social media expertise and other computer tech skills but there are still a few things I can still teach him, like, silly end of the week acronyms and how to make a really good pizza. Anyway, I'm so EXCITED that Friday is finally here. That means one more sleep and D and I are off to experience our first Urban Farming Symposium.The symposium is being organized by Patchwork Farms, which is an organic community collective farm situated next to our local college. The purpose of this event, is to teach enthusiastic people like me, to learn more so we can integrate urban agriculture practices into our daily life. I've been putting this out into the Universe since last winter when I saw some cool workshops I wanted to attend in Vancouver, but of course the distance makes that difficult with a family in tow. But here it is, being taught in my own backyard. Well practically since I can see the farm from my back deck.
Some of the topics on the agenda are:
1. From lawn to mini-farm
2. The Urban Beescape
3. Grow your own bread
4. Winterize your soil
5. Sustainable Environment Network Society presentation
6. Figs in the Okanagan
7. Food Farming and Community...and more
I did not see the topic of raising chickens on the agenda but I'm going to network and see what I can find out with regards to changing our by-laws. I want to know what others are doing in our community to increase awareness on the benefits of backyard chickens. Did you know that one chicken can eat a large amount of your kitchen waste which reduces landfill gases and the long term results are improved soil for the urban farmer?
The ironic part of all this, is our nearby city of Vernon allows their citizens to have 3 or 4 chickens per household. However, we rural residents, aren't allowed the luxury of a few eggs every day, despite the fact our community motto is, "Rural Living at it's BEST." I guess they mean, the peace and quiet and quick boat access to the lake, but no chicken noise or smell.
Like anything else, I'm going to put my attention on what I want, "chickens" and know it's just a matter of time before we have a few in our backyard. Bees too. Just like I attracted this symposium to occur. Don't you just love the, "law of attraction!" I'm interested in learning more about keeping bees in our organic garden and of course honey would be a nice side benefit not to mention great pollination on our homestead. Our daughter Grace keeps asking for a bunny or two as well, which I understand produces excellent, immediate garden waste. A side benefit to this is she gets a pet she doesn't have to walk. (Don't get me going about my dream for a Golden Retriever, that wish comes with a country farm, lots of space and room for the dog to roam)
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| This picture reminds me of my sister C's retriever Sunny....I'm holding the vision of a country farm and a new puppy |
So tonight, I'm going to make enough pizza so the kids have lunch tomorrow since this is an all day event. Oh did I mention, lunch will be served at the symposium as well. For a mom who makes 21 meals for my family each week, PLUS snacks, well I can't tell you how marvelous THAT IS! Our older kids agreed to care for the younger ones which is also another huge gift. They know how important growing my urban homestead is and also I'm sure they are planning to take turns watching the little ones so they can have some free time playing computer games, etc. without me nagging about getting outside, doing chores in the house or doing their homework. Hey, it's a WIN/WIN.
Well, enough about what I'm doing this weekend, How would you like to join me in making an amazing pizza. I tell you, other than my pesto sauce pizza....this is a winner.
So if you want to grab your apron and join me in the kitchen, let's get the flour out.
We started making these when my 15 year old son Harrison said he really liked my homemade pizzas but he missed the 'ole chicken club pizza we used to get from Panago Pizza. So I started doing some experimenting and came up with, I think, even a better version of this particular pizza. (no offence Panago, IF I had to buy take out, it would be from you)
Okay, here is what you need to make this pizza. Of course a good pizza starts with an amazing crust. I can whip this up in my sleep now.
Hope's Homemade Pizza Crust recipe
Ingredients
3 cups of flour
1 tsp of sugar
1/2 tsp of salt
11/2 cups of warm water
1 tbsp yeast (I buy the quick rising kind from Costco's...it's in a large box for around $5.00 dollars.)
1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Non stick spray for the pizza pan
Directions
Add 11/2 cups of warm water to a large bowl
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of yeast on the top of the water and let it sit for at least 5 minutes
Mix the flour (and I like to use unbleached white with some whole wheat...the combination can be your choice...We like 1/2 and 1/2 but if you aren't use to whole wheat flour use less at first) then
the sugar and the salt together until well combined.
Then take a fork stir the water and yeast really well, making sure the yeast has dissolved really well into the warm water...it should be frothy. Then add your tbsp of olive oil and mix well again.
Finally, add the dry ingredients to the wet and combine. When a ball has formed I put it on a lightly floured counter and turn it over and over, kneading it like bread with my hands. I continue to mix until all the flour is worked in. This usually takes about 2 minutes. Sometimes it's still sticky and if that is the case, then add a tiny bit of flour to the mixture so your hands don't stick to the dough but not too much or your crust will be heavy.
Then I let the dough sit in a warm bowl with a damp cloth on top for at least 15 minutes. The longer you let it sit the more it will rise but I'm usually making mine right before dinner so I don't have time to let it rise higher. If you want a thinner crust you can split the dough into two balls but we like our crust thick so this recipe is used for one large pizza.
Now for the fun part.
Pizza topping for the Chicken Club
Spray the pan or lightly grease with olive oil
Take the dough and spread it evenly over the pan, working out from the middle.
I find it easiest to have a 1/2 cup of flour handy, I make sure my hands are well floured and if the dough is sticky, then I sprinkle a little flour to make it easier to spread.
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| Everything you need, crust, mozzarella, cooked chicken, onion, ham, ranch dressing and Parmesan cheese, opt bacon pieces |
Chicken Club Ingredients
About 1/2 cup of Ranch dressing...I use Hidden Valley we buy at Costco
1 cup of thinly sliced black forest ham
1 cup of cut of cooked chicken pieces (I pre-cooked 6 boneless chicken thighs)
1/2 of a red onion thinly sliced....if I were making it just for me...I'd use a whole red onion
Parmesan Cheese
2 cups of mozzarella cheese
(opt) bacon bits
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
1. Spread the ranch dressing all over the pizza crust until it's well covered
4. Layer the cooked chicken on top of the ham and onion
5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of the ham, onion and chicken (note if you want to use bacon bits as well this is a good time to sprinkle it on top of the ham, onions and chicken)
6. Spread the mozzarella over the entire pizza
Now it's time to put into a preheated oven @ 425 degrees F...middle rack for 15 to 20 minutes or until it's cooked to your taste. We like our pizza crust soft and chewy so we don't cook it as long as someone who would want the crust a bit crunchier. Just watch closely after 15 minutes.
Here's their cheese before going in the oven.
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| Here it is....TGIF Chicken Club Pizza...enjoy! |
Happy TGIF day! Add a Caesar salad and dinner is served.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and it becomes a family favourite in your house.
Oh and stay tuned as I will take notes and maybe some pictures too at the farm symposium tomorrow. It's going to be enlightening and anything I learn, you will hear about it first.
If you can't see this YouTube video, click here, Jack Johnston's "Home" song at a Farm Aid 2012 concert .I like how genuine he is...and isn't it true, home is wherever your heart is...nothing has to be fancy, In fact the simpler it is, the better in so many ways. Love out to Farmers!
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope
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