The Famous Pizza Dough Recipe

Yes... ladies and gentlemen... this is the greatness that is the Piacente Pizza Dough. My mother-in-law taught me how to make pizza when I first met her. Now, the real recipes has no measurements, it's only done by looking at the amount you're using but I've managed to measure it all out and it's fabulous!

recipe for dough:

2lbs flour

1tbsp salt

1/4c. Olive Oil (I use Bertolli Classico)

3- .6oz (17g) cubed yeast (Fleischmann's yeast found in the refridgerated section..near bisquits... see picture below)

2 1/3c water- luke warm

ingredients for pizza:

can tomatoes (I like Hunts diced tomatoes w/garlic, basil and oregano)

fresh mozzarella (found in deli section.. NOT SHREDDED CHEESE)

In a large mixing bowl, Add flour, salt and oil. In a medium bowl place all 3 cubes of yeast and add luke warm water. With a fork, mash the yeast to mix with water until dissolved. Pour water/yeast mixture into bowl with flour. Mix with a wooden spoon. Then using hands, mix and knead dough until smooth. Add flour or water to dough as needed to get to right consistency. With a knife, make an 'X' in the dough.

Using a clean kitchen towel, wet with cold water and place over bowl. Cover the bowl with another towel or blanket and set aside for 3 hours to rise.

After 3 hours, place dough on a clean floured surface. Continue to knead. Seperate into 4 equal parts. This dough can be frozen until ready to use. The entire recipe makes 4 pizzas that's why you separate into the 4 parts, it's easier to freeze and use that way.

To freeze: wrap loosely in plastic wrap then in foil.

To use immediately: On a floured surface roll out the pizza dough. Lightly grease cookie sheet with Olive Oil. Place dough on cookie sheet. For use on a Pizza Stone, sprinkle Corn Meal. Spoon tomatoes over dough. Crumble pieces of Mozzarella on top of Pizza. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes.. Buon appetito!

End of Summer Bash

Last night, Carlo and I went to a party hosted by one of his co-workers. I had already met some of them so, I new exactly what to expect and let's just say.. I was not disappointed. There was lots of food, drinks, and music.

The New Blog

Ciao Tutti!

Well, Carlo and I decided to start a blog on the greatness that is Blogger. I had already started on another site on Myfamily.com but, I didn't like that fact that you had to be "invited" to actually see that site. So anyway, we look forward to sharing our stories with y'all.

How my dream became a reality!

It all started in 1994. I was 16 yrs old and a sophomore in High School. I told my parents that I my French teacher was organizing a trip to Paris and that I wanted to go. So, instead of a car or a sweet 16 party, I went to Paris for 8 days. I will never forget that trip. It completely opened my eyes to a whole new world. I was amazed at how friendly the French were. (I'm brown.. I don't look like your typical American) I remember my best friend and I were always being approach by different people. We loved it! We weren't dressed up. We didn't wear make-up or make sure our hair was perfect, we were just there to see the sights. A classmate of ours was upset because she was trying to get attention from people and it wasn't working. It was that trip that made me realize that Europeans appreciate the inner beauty before they appreciate the outer beauty. That's when I said... "I want to marry a Frenchman."

Fast forward 10 years later. In April of 2004, I was able to go to Europe with some girlfriends from Church. This trip included Italy, Switzerland, France and UK. It was a fantastic trip but it was Italy that won my heart. I went back home after 10 days and I told my parents that I want to move to Italy. I kept going on and on about how wonderful it was. The lifestyle, the people, and the food!! After a few months, the feeling never went away. I remember watching Rick Steves' on TV and telling my mom that I wanted to go to Italy for Christmas. I told her we should go together and that it would be a lot of fun. As time went on, I started to focus on my work and trying to find someone to share my life with. Obviously they wouldn't be European but as long as they had a good job, it was ok with me.

Then on September 11, 2006, I received a message on MySpace. It read:

Sep 11, 2006 10:01 PM
Subject:	ciao Sonia
Body:	h r u ur very nice would u like to enter in contact with me carlo

I remember looking at his profile and thinking he was NOT attractive but I noticed that he was from....ITALY!! I thought it would be nice to finally be able to learn some Italian so, I answered back and we began to chat. He had just arrived in Texas at the end of May 2006 and was on a work Contract with Lockheed Martin. One day, he asked if he could call me and I said that was fine. He asked me out on a date and it was set for September 23- which was his birthday. Since it was his first birthday in the U.S. I made him some brownies with reese's peanut butter cups in them.

**our first date**

We met at my favorite Italian Restaurant near my house. I saw him as I pulled into the parking lot and I remember thinking how NOT cute he was. That first date was so awkward. I didn't know what to think. I knew Italians were romantic, and touchy-feely but I thought he was weird! I do remember going home and writing about how it was a great date but after a few days, I didn't want to see him anymore. Mainly because the novelty of dating an Italian wore off. On the first date, he was already holding my hand, kissing himself, gave me a nickname AND said he wanted to take me to Italy and meet his MOTHER!!!! It was too much for me and I didn't even think he was cute.

However, he had asked me out again for the following Saturday and I had already said yes. So, our 2nd date was at an Air Show which was a lot of fun. That day, when I saw him, he looked different somehow and I thought he was cute.

**our second date**

Less than a week later, he picked me up at my house and took me on our 3rd date to the museum. As we walked around, he was talking about the paintings and I started to cry a little bit. I thought... "I think I really like him". After the museum, we went back to the Italian restaurant where we had our first date. We were met by my best friend Marc. After dinner, my other best friend Joni joined us for dessert. Before our dessert came out, the waitress came to our table and brought me some flowers. She said, "These are for you, but they're not from me." I looked at Carlo and he said, "I hope you like them". I CRIED AGAIN!!!!! No one had ever done anything like that for me. I knew then... that I was in love. (he had bought the flowers and taken them to the restaurant before picking me up)

**our third date**

5 days later, he told me he loved me and asked me to go to Italy with him for New Years. He knew that my mom had concerns about him so he invited her to come along as well. My mom said she wasn't ready to travel overseas so, I asked my sister to come with me. By the end of October, we were engaged and before we left for Italy, we set our wedding date for May 2007.

Carlo's contract ended on December 31st, 2008. For 2 years and 7 months, he was in Texas. For 30 years of my life, I was in Texas and now I'm in Italy. I have left, everything behind. My family, my friends, my job... my life.

It wasn't a hard decision, but it sure was hard to say good-bye to everything I've ever known. Luckily, I have an amazing husband who has done everything in his power to make me happy.

We arrived on January 3, 2009 and the minute we got off of the plane, our adventure began. Trying to adjust to an Italian way of living has not been easy but it sure has been a lot of fun! 

**Our Wedding Day**