When I was a kid, high school aged, my mom and I went on this diet that was heavy on veggies, light on starch and stretched protein portions.
I don't remember if we lost weight. I don't remember much from my high school years -- I have a lot of random snapshot memories, but nothing specific or chronological. Oddly enough I do remember that at 5'5" tall, I weighted a whopping 125. Although I wasn't fat, per se, I was a teenager so I thought I wasn't fat.*
Memory is a strange thing.
From that era (and diet), I do remember one dish: Vulgar Hamburgers. Hamburger patties made by mixing chopped, fresh mushrooms (alas, most mushrooms came in cans when I was a girl) with lower-fat-content burger meat and seasoning. Pan seared and served open-faced. They were amazing.
My mom called them Vulgar Hamburgers because they tasted so good it was vulgar.
Well, my tastes have changed and I find that many of the things I eat could be
labeled vulgar.' Dishes such as foie and shiitake mushrooms, a perfect, rare steak (with a huge, tannic Cabernet), or an occasional slice of cheesecake. All are vulgar to my adult palate.
Pizza dough with beer instead of water is such a food. So delicious it's vulgar.
I used my standard pizza dough recipe but added Deschutes MIrror Pond Pale Ale instead of water. The dough was much stickier than a water dough.
OMF-ingG
It's delicious enough to eat on it's own with just a drizzle of olive oil, some Grana Padano, and Maldon (finishing salt).
Putting beer in dough is such a good idea, no? Where did it come from?? Well, it came from the new BF, Handsome & Brave. He's a wonderful cook.
Next time I may use a little less beer (more for me!). Maybe not. The crust was so freaking delicious, I may not tamper with it. Although I will use other beers to see which I like best.
I topped the Crust Fantastic with... XVOO, zucchini, mushrooms, roasted poblano peppers, mozzarella, mushrooms, Italian sausage, and grana padano. But the crust, oh the crust, was magnificent.
* I have to chuckle. I grew a couple inches in college so I'm now 5' 6.5" and I weight 165. I'm curvy, strong, soft, and healthy. If I weighed even 135, I'd look emaciated. Has my attitude towards my own weight changed or has society changed? Hmmm I think it's me.
Eat well, be healthy, and love your curves. I do.
