Thank you to everyone who sent me suggestions for how to upload a photo to the blog--you have probably now created a monster, as I hope to do more of this and actually turn into a real blogger at last. That's me in Istanbul with that Domino's delivery motorcycle I wrote about in the previous post, just outside the Hagia Sophia Church and the Topkapi Palace. (I believe that you can see the photo in larger format if you click on it--at least that's what I've been told).
The one whose step by step instructions got me "on the board" is Jennifer Lee Robinson--thank you so much!! For this you get an automatic pass to be on the opening list of recipe testers when we get into that next month. As a gluten-free blogger, (http://www.adventuressomekitchen.wordpress.com ) your input will be most appreciated. Thanks Jennifer!
As for you others, yes, we're getting closer to the test phase and I'll be posting instructions soon about how that will work and what you will need. The main thing to know now is that you do not have to be gluten-free or gluten-sensitive to be a tester, you do not need any fancy or special equipment, but you will need to buy some specialty ingredients, most of them available at supermarkets and natural food markets and some via mail order suppliers (I will give you web links). More details soon, but I'm meeting with our web master on this, Mark Witt (many of you already know him from the last book and the still active Forum and Gallery that he oversees for "Artisan Breads Everyday" as well as from his own Bread Techniques website and instructional videos). After Mark and I work out the final details for testers I'll post them and we'll start the process after the holidays. The new book is coming along nicely--we have about half of our recipes already written up (there will be about 75) and I'm really excited about how great they taste (but I'm not objective, which is why we need you). Again, more details on that later.
The biggest news is that we have set a date for the launch of Pizza Quest, and it is next Saturday, Dec. 18th!! I will post again later this week to confirm this, as I still have homework to complete for my part of the site, and our team is working hard to get all the pieces in place, but we're so close we can taste it (and soon, so will you). We have great videos to share, recipes, photos (yes, thank goodness there's a web master to handle that side instead of me or you know how long it would take), essays, links, interactive blogging, ...the whole margherita. Assuming we don't crash and burn between now and then, this is our holiday gift to all of you, and our plan is to post new videos and other material every week to keep you entertained and engaged. It seems as if we've been working on it forever (actually, about two years since we first started this project) so I'm counting the seconds.
Okay, I now know one way to upload photos to this blog--more will come. Check back in a few days for the official launch announcement of Pizza Quest. Till then,
May your bread always rise (and may your pizzas all be perfect)!
Peter