Happy New Year!

Yesterday we updated our New Year's Eve tradition by making out own pizza instead of ordering out. Mom took care of the dough in her new Cuisinart while I prepared olives, onions, sausage, cheese, and other toppings. Then, while the dough rose, I made some olivata using this recipe, and it turned out pretty good.

Mom made a large pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sausage, basil, spinach, onions, and red pepper. I made a smaller one with olives but sans sausage and red pepper. Steve made himself a small sausage pizza, and I made a dessert pizza with strawberry jam, mozzarella, and a tiny bit of experimental olivata on one corner. It was surprisingly good. I think we might have a new tradition for New Year's Eve.

Bittmanesque chocolate instant pudding

H contemplates chocolate pudding, and layering.


We had one of my fabulosa friends from Richmond over last week. She and I had Zumba last semester, and I think it's the glue for a great friendship. To celebrate her coming over and sharing our table, we made chocolate! Of course! This recipe takes 5 minutes to make, and is super-duper easy. Just don't get water in that chocolate or it will separate and make the pudding gross textured.

Bittmanesque Chocolate Instant Pudding with a kick
1 packet non-refrigerated silken tofu (you know the kind)
4 oz bar baking chocolate
1 /4 cup cocoa
1 -2 T butter (or oil)
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar, boiled in 3/4 cup water to make syrup.
Almond slices, for topping

Possible variations: substitute 1/2 -1 tsp powdered ginger, or 1 T fresh and grated + 1-2 T chopped candied ginger for the cinnamon. I'm guessing this is good. Try it and see?

1) Melt chocolate.
2) Make Syrup.
3) Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and whirrrrrr until you get a pudding-y texture.
4) Pour it in a bowl, and chill for at least 30 minutes.


H and P reading a story about chocolate pudding