MY BEST THINGS OF 2011

01/04/2012

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MY BEST THINGS OF 2011
In no particular order.

 I never planned to write a Best-Of-The-Year thing because I thought nobody cared what I thought.  I guess now that I am a (famous) author, and we are in the period of last-year- new-year-musing, folks do care what I think about certain things.  At least some things, like those below about which they keep bugging me.

So, I thought about it…

1-MOVIE-- THE HELP is the best overall, Viola Davis was brilliant.
                    HORRIBLE BOSSES was the funniest.
                    CONVICTION, BRIDESMAIDS, THE FIGHTER, are all worth a mention.                     A great surprise was WELCOME TO THE RILEYS.

2-BOOK-- THE ART OF FIELDING by Chad Harbach. 
 My review on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221610448   

3- NEW TV SHOW--PRIME SUSPECT starring Maria Bello. 
NBC is now officially the worst network for not renewing this show.  What else do they have worth watching?

4-WEBSITE--GOODREADS.COM. 
The social site where I least feel like I'm wasting time.    http://www.goodreads.com/

 5-BLOG--THE CREATIVE PENN
by Joanna Penn, award winning author and blogger, a must read for writers.                          
             http://www.thecreativepenn.com/ 
                    
6-JOKE--Herman Cain running for president. 

7-GOLF SCORE(MINE)--65, at a par 66 course.

8-POLITICIAN--BERNIE SANDERS, I-VT. 
 No nonsense, Bernie truly puts the people first over re-election, PACS, or party loyalty.  
            http://sanders.senate.gov/

9-LIVE EVENT--USA WOMENS SOCCER TEAM vs SWEDEN. 
The most electric live sporting event I have attended-ever.

10-FREE THING--NITRO PDF READER.
 I used this to convert my manuscript into a print ready PDF file for submission to the publisher.  I have ADOBE, but I use NITRO.
           http://www.nitroreader.com/

11-NEW RECIPE-- ZITI WITH ROASTED ZUCHINNI. 
 A recipe I got from BON APPETIT. 
           http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/10/ziti_with_roasted_zucchini

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BREAD

10/09/2011

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In Willowtree, Bruce DelReno bakes some bread.  So do I.  I have been experimenting for years trying to make the perfect (to me) loaf.  My perfect bread,  is what my friend, Joe, made in West Rutland, Vermont  back in the 1970's.  I was working  with him building an addition to his restaurant.  Joe would leave for a while every day saying, "I gotta make the bread."  He would return with flour all over his shirt and trousers.  He made fantastic Italian bread that was the biggest draw to the restaurant.  A cheeseburger using two thick slices of Joe's crispy whole wheat bread was the lunch I usually was given.  I didn't tell Joe, but I would have worked all day for just that as my pay.
I have tried many recipes, tweaked them, even developed my own.  There are several I make regularly.
Why am I talking bread?  Many folks who have read Willowtree noticed the food theme, and have suggested I put recipes in my future books.  Some have asked specifically about the bread.  I am thinking of adding a recipe or two, maybe at the end of the Bruce DelReno book I am now working on.  Maybe I'll put in one of my favorite bread recipes, though I never got close to duplicating Joe's.
Let's call it DELRENO'S OLIVE OIL BREAD   It is a soft, light bread, good by itself, toasted, or sopping up Sunday gravy.    

1 1/2 TBS active dry yeast
 2 CUPS warm water (at about 110 degrees)
 2 TSP salt, (sea salt if you have it)
 6 TBS olive oil
 1 TSP sugar
 5 CUPS all purpose flour  (4 1/2 WHITE, 1/2 WHOLE WHEAT, or all white)
 EXTRA Oil and Salt for crust
1  500 mg Vitamin C tablet, crushed. (Optional, will act as preservative and bread will stay fresh longer.)

In a large bowl mix the yeast, sugar, salt, vitamin C, oil, and water.
Stir in 4 cups flour ( 3 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat)
 Put onto floured surface and knead in another cup of flour.
 Put in oiled bowl, turn to coat; cover with wet towel.
 Let rise until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
 Punch down, cut into 2 or 3 equal parts. form into 2 or 3 round balls, dusting with flour to work more easily.
Spray 2 or 3 pie pans with cooking oil, and sprinkle corn meal.
 Put loaves in pans. Cover, and let rise to double (about 1 hour)
 Pre- heat oven to 400.  Place a sheet pan with 2 or 3 cups of water on the bottom of the oven.  Steam will make a crispier crust.  Alternately, spray the loaves with water several times during baking.
 Cut 3 slits across top of loaves with a sharp knife or razor, not deep.  Brush top with oil and sprinkle with salt. Optionally, sprinkle tops with sesame or poppy seeds.
 Bake until internal temp is 200 degrees.  About 25 to 30 minutes. Crust will be light brown and it will make a hollow sound if you tap on the bottom.
 Cool on wire racks.


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