It's Greek to me!

This meal was anything but "Greek"!  Greek inspired?  You got it.  I have to say, up-front, one of my favorites thus far.  There were so many angles to this meal, and all were unbelievable.  We start with homemade bread (two types), a homemade pizza dough and a "surprise" dough.

"J" tried out a new kind of bread this time.  A wheat bread.  Here it is rising.  It took 18 hours, start to finish, to create this.  Dedication?  I think so.

Here is the wheat bread, getting ready to be kneaded. 

Wheat bread wrapped up in a damp towel.  Inside, it's sitting on a bed of cornmeal.

Here is his famous traditional homemade white bread. 

Shaped.

Wheat bread.  Notice the crust of cornmeal. 

Both breads done.  I preferred the wheat bread, only because of the crusty cornmeal crust.  I'm a sucker for crunchy bread.  The white bread didn't disappoint though!  We sliced it, and enjoyed it several ways.  1. With regular butter spread.  2. With a fig/honey spread.  3. Dipped in balsamic and oil.  I could have just ate on this all night.  But, this was only the beginning!

This is a dough for something else.  A "surprise" for later.  Stay tuned......

Surprise dough rising.

So, the main meal (a portion of it) starts with some good 'ole leaks.  I'm a HUGE fan of leaks!  If you haven't cooked with them before, do it and soon!  They are a cross between celery and onion.  Huge flavor.

The leaks get a rough chop, and then start caramelizing on the stove.

In goes some roasted garlic.  I was in heaven with this, and had a problem picking the garlic out while it was cooking and eating it by itself!  Folks, if you have never had roasted garlic, you are missing out.

After the leaks and garlic caramelize, in goes baby spinach!

The baby spinach cooks down.  Delicious already!

Here is "J's" homemade pizza dough.  Yep, first portion of the meal is a Greek inspired pizza.

Pizza dough rolled out, with some cornmeal to keep it from sticking (and to give it an added crunchy crust).

The leak, garlic and spinach mixture going on top.  No sauce here, just a quick brush of garlic olive oil.

So, portion two of the meal.  Starts with some prepared couscous.

Next, ground lamb and pork.

Couscous goes in with the meat, along with some spices, and all gets combined.

Meatballs!  Oppa!  Adding couscous to the meatball mixture=Brilliant!

Meatballs get a dredge of flour, so they cook up nicely.  Again, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.

All the meatballs cooking away!

Just a "peak" on the pizza.  Cooking up nicely!

Meatballs done.  After this photo was taken, tomato sauce was added and they simmered for (around) 10 more minutes.  Taking in all the tomato flavor!

This week's tablescape.  I'm ready to eat!

Pizza, done.  What was so neat about this, which we honestly didn't expect, was how the spinach took on a crunchy texture.  I guess our theme for the night really is all about crunchy textured foods!  But, if you've had flashed-fried spinach before (you know, the fancy restaurants serve it....ha) you'll know how great this was on the pizza! 

My slice.  Gosh, couldn't wait to devour it (that garlic piece was calling my name).  You'll notice the white specs on the pizza.  After it came out of the oven, some (fat free, mind you) feta cheese was sprinkled on top.  Couldn't go Greek without feta cheese!

And there she is!  The savory meatballs! 

Didn't take long.  Done!

So, here is where the surprise dough comes in.  Hello!!!!  Homemade donuts!

Here they are, rising.

Here they are, risen.  :)

Can't have a donut without a glaze.

The donuts fried in regular oil, with a splash of coconut oil.  What a nice touch!

Oil being tested, to make sure it's hot enough....but, not too hot!

Donut holes going in!!!

Donut holes cooked to perfection, with a perfect amount of glaze.

Donuts!

Wowsers, look at how perfectly brown (and crunchy...ha!) they are!

Out and glazed to perfection!

We got crazy, and added some chocolate to the glaze (with sprinkles on top)!

Chocolate sprinkled and regular chocolate.  The chocolate was my personal favorite.  I'm not kidding guys, these were better than Krispy Kream.  Seriously, not lying.  I have some very talented friends, and I'm lucky I get to benefit from it!  :)

So, continuing on our "left-over" theme, below is what "A" made us for lunch the day after.  It was almost as good as the dinner.  Impressive.

She sliced the left-over meatballs and gave them a "grill" on the stove.

She took the leak we didn't use, shredded it along with some zucchini and onion and made fried leak pancakes.

Golden brown, and the perfect side-dish!

Some pita bread, which she had in the pantry.  Sliced and gave it a quick grill on the stove.

The meatballs, along with some feta and Greek yogurt spread.  Made the most delicious sandwich!

Unreal.

For dessert, just some fresh watermelon which was given a quick freeze.  Salt on top, and you've got the perfect refreshing after meal sampling.

Stay tuned to next week.  Believe JAK, you won't want to miss that Not So Mundane Monday meal, and Tuesday left-overs!

Until next time.....A la cuisine!