You will have to take my word for it, but Marlene makes one fine pizza. I taught her, and now she won't let me play!
After my first wife decided she no longer wanted to be the homemaker, I started taking the place. I was a full time General Contractor, so I could make my own schedule. Once a week, though, we would go out for pizza. I gravitated to one place near Jacksonville, NC (home of Camp LeJeune) owned by an Italian. After being a constant customer, he taught me how to make the sauce and the dough.
We use canned tomatoes imported from Italy, and a mish-mash of spices and herbs. The dough is started with honey for the yeast. After rising, we roll it thin, and ladle lots of sauce. Add lots of Mozzarella and whatever else, and you have a good pie.
It is the same for most things. Marlene is a country girl from the province. She tells of growing up on a banana farm without electricity. She truly has had a different life from ours. When she was about 9, she was loaned out to an aunt who sent her to school in return for housework. After High School, she worked a year for some nuns, and then became a housekeeper and Yaya (childcare) for a family for almost twelve years before I met her. She loves to learn new things.
I am blessed. She is constantly in the kitchen trying new recipes and procedures. Yesterday, she tried to duplicate Krispy Kreme plain doughnuts. They came out poorly, but I encouraged her to try, try again. She will!
Waiting for 'Da Boss"! Ivan now!
