Fresh Basil Pizza with a Crispy Garlic Crust

This could be another post about another failure, but I'll refrain from saying that word from now on, in this post. I think everyone goes through a period in their life when they just... want to give up. Whether it's starting something new or doing something old... I feel like there are so many times in my life, I've had the option to just give up and move on. Well, for unknown reasons, I feel like all of my baking in the last few weeks have resulted in gross foods. I have used my KA mixer in all of those preps... so uh..... through the laws of whatever, can I say, I DON"T KNOW HOW TO USE THAT MIXER?! I won't give up. Why would this mixer kill my recipes?.. I'm talking recipes I've used 5-6 times.... not new ones. I JUST DON"T GET IT. Sorry, I'm venting. I just don't know why I'm messing up all the time. I think it's also the stress. I never really have time to just experiment in the kitchen anymore, there is just so much going on in my life! On the weekdays, I teach a totally full schedule. I wake up, eat, prep, drive to work.. and come home around 9PM. On the weekends, I hang out with friends and shop for my new apt. I don't cook anymore. I don't bake anymore.. and if I ever crave something... I find it easier to head to the store and buy it. What am I becoming?

Every cook hits their lull. I've hit mine. This is my second one in 2010. I feel pretty depressed. I spent so much time mastering the art of baking. I knew it so well. I was pretty confident about my abilities.... not anymore. I don't know if i should just ride out this lull ... or keep at it. I've already had 5 bad batches of stuff... can't really have anymore rite or then it'd be a waste of food :/ I eat everything as a punishment, each time analyzing why it came out the way it did. I have so many pictures to show that I am capable of baking... but sadly.. no goods to prove that I have skill... anymore :(

My attitude has always been.. if you think it's worth it, keep at it. I refuse to be bogged down by this. I will continue to bake and bake and bake until everything has come back. I just think this KA mixer is a lil too big. I make small batches.. and this mixer just doesn't mix it up well enough. I can produce better results with just a whisk, I feel : / Oh well. Time to make some high calorie treats for my hunger pains I always feel while working.. talking burns a lot of calories for me.... I never knew that.. but then again.. I've never had to talk soooo much in my life.

So, I wrote this post when I made the pizza, and now.. after almost a week.. I'm finishing writing it. Normally, posts take around 1-2 hours to write .. including the time it takes to edit pictures. I apparently don't have 1-2 hours to spare these days, which makes me really sad. I'm sure this is how my life will be starting next month. : / Anyway, I used the basic garlic pizza crust.. and halved it. I probably shouldn't have done that. The crust wasn't the best, but it held pizza. This used to be really good.. so iono..the dough hook did a poor job of mixing the small amount of dough.. so I transferred it to my trusty bread machine. Something is off, still. I can't figure out what. It might just be my mood. I'm just not feeling it anymore.

Pizza 1 Topping (Top picture): red sauce with fresh basil from my basil plant! (buying a basil plant was cheaper than buying basil at the store haha) with caramelized onions, cheese, pepperoni, and honey ham

Pizza 2 Topping: bbq sauce, onions, cheese, pepperoni, honey ham, and fresh basil


Easy right? I just don't really like how it takes so long from start to finish.. (over 2 hours!)