Figgy Goaty Flatbread

Doesn't that title just say yum!!

I make this up for parties a lot because it is so easy and fast, and you can substitute different sweet ingredients depending on the time of year.

Figgy Goaty Flatbread

• 1 pizza dough (I use Trader Joe's)
• fig butter (also Trader Joe's).  When figs are in season, used sliced fresh figs, or sliced red grapes are a good option.
• 1/2 medium red onion
• goat cheese
• white wine (optional)
• thyme, dried or fresh
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar, high quality that is thick, already reduced, or balsamic glaze
• fresh parsley
• cornmeal
• optional: procuitto

1. Preheat the oven to 500-520 degrees F.  If you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven to heat as well.

2. Slice the red onion and saute over low heat in olive oil.  Don't let it brown.  Season with a pinch of thyme and salt.  Splash in a little white wine (oh and also put some on the onions) and continue to cook over low heat for a few minutes until the wine has evaporated.  The onions shouldn't be totally soft as they will continue to cook in the oven.

3. Roll out the pizza dough to desired thickness on a floured board.  Place the red onion slices over the dough.  Spoon 1 tsp sized dollops of the fig jam over the dough (or the sliced figs or grapes).  Scatter chunks of the goat cheese around as well.  (Add the prosciutto if using).

 
4. When the oven is up to temperature, take out the hot pizza stone, careful not to melt your mascara! Sprinkle a dusting of cornmeal on the stone and slide the topped dough from your floured board onto the pizza stone.  If you used enough flour, and jiggle it carefully, the dough should slide right over.  You could also put the rolled out dough on the stone and top it then, if you work fast so the stone doesn't cool too much.

5. Drizzle olive oil over the top and bake in the over for 10-15 min.  Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your oven and rack position.  A rack in the highest position will make this cook faster so just keep an eye on it.  The crust should be puffed on the edges and lightly browned.

6.  Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.  Drizzle a bit more olive oil and the balsamic glaze.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley.  Enjoy!

I made this for our Easter picnic on the beach, but after getting a flat tire and needing to be towed back home, I don't have any pretty figgy-goaty-flatbread-on-the-beach shots.  Just this gem of David in the tow truck.

The Double Dipped Bentwood Beauty

This little number needed some major TLC after being abandoned to our concrete jungle!  The caning was shredded and it looked like it had been living outside for a while.  But, with the classic bentwood lines, this Thonet style chair was a perfect candidate for a makeover!

 

After cutting away the ruined caning, I lightly sanded the entire chair with 320 grit sandpaper.  There wasn't any original finish left and it just needed to be smoothed out.

I painted the legs in aqua blue for the dip effect.  Once it was dry, I taped off a narrow band above the blue and painted it gray - the double dip!

The chair is finished with Watco Danish Oil in Fruitwood, which gives the wood a silky feel and warmed up the wood tone.  

The seat is upholstered in a cute gray tiger stripe fabric and high density foam.  The fabric is pleated around the base of the cushion.

Wrap the foam with a layer of batting. Staple the batting to the sides of the wood base to reduce bulk under the fabric.

Position the seat on the fabric, centering the design.

Pleating the fabric helps it lay flat.

Now, this bentwood beauty is a perfect blend of classic lines and modern style.

Love it?  Check out the ad listing here.