Best Pizza dough....

Have you ever decided to make pizza at home, thinking it would be such a delicious snack or dinner. I have to tell you that my previous attempts were rather scary at times.... dough so heavy it was stuck in your stomach for a week or dough which was so fluffy all the toppings just traveled off the sides when cooking. 

Well I think I finally have it!
My family and friends were rather impressed with its flavor and texture.... it's a keeper!

Pizza Dough
1 pk active dry yeast
1c warm water
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 c semolina flour
1 c regular flour

In a kitchen aid mixer - Bloom the yeast with the sugar and water. Add the remaining ingredients and mix with the dough arm until a ball forms. Use extra semolina flour if the dough is tacky. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot.
Flatten on your pan (I use a well seasoned stone) and cover with your favorites.
Cook at 425 for 20 min


You can also use this dough to make foccacia (SP?). After it is mixed, just gently flatten in the pan you are going to cook it on, then let it rise 1 hour. At the end, poke indentations into the dough with your finger and brush with olive oil and sprinkle on some of your favorite seasonings - I love it with fresh chopped rosemary.
Bake 425 for 20 min

Enjoy!

Beans & Greens...

This is one of my more favorite dishes to order when out at an Italian restaurant. While looking in my cupboard I realized I had all the items which could make up my own version of it. This is usually a vegetarian dish, but I opted to add a little Prosciutto... just because it was in the fridge and because we love it!

Now I have to say the adults who ate it, enjoyed it, but the children had to have the greens removed.... Why can't I get my kids to eat kale, spinach etc? Anyone have any ideas on how to sneak it in there?  Oh well at least they enjoyed it minus the greens portion.

Beans & Greens

3 oz chopped prosciutto

1/2 cup chopped scallions

2TBs olive oil

2 cans cannelloni beans - drained

1tps chopped garlic

8 oz turkey stock

2TBs butter

11 oz fresh baby kale
1 box pasta - prepared and drained

Saute the prosciutto and scallions in the olive oil for 3 minutes on medium heat
Add the beans, garlic, butter and turkey stock - cook 4 min
Add the baby kale and allow to wilt into the sauce
Combine with the pasta, top with Parmesan cheese and serve.


Now you can change out many portions of this recipe:
Prosciutto can be replaced with bacon or pancetta; or even removed 100%
Scallions can be replaced with onions or leeks
Beans can be replaced with white kidney beans
Kale can be replaced with Spinach or collards if you prefer that heartier green. If you opt for frozen greens pleas be sure to thaw and drain them well.

Enjoy!

Squash Casserole...

My family obtains locally raised produce during the winter months via Extended Harvest. It's a great local company which brings frozen and fresh veggies to it's members. This year we received some frozen zucchini and yellow squash, therefore the need for this recipe to be created!

Squash Casserole

1 onion chopped

2 Tbsp olive oil

52 oz frozen green and yellow squash (large pieces)

1tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp flour

1/2 cup milk

2 cups sharp cheddar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper pepper
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Saute the onion in the oil til soft, add the defrost and drained squash and saute till warmed.
Add the garlic powder and flour, stir until coated.

Increase heat and add milk. Heat until thickened, add 1 cup of the cheese and salt & pepper to taste

Add mixture to casserole, top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 till cheese is melted and breadcrumbs browned.

I was thinking you could also switch out the cheddar cheese with parmesan if you prefer that flavor and even switch out the veggies with broccoli or cauliflower. I did try this out on my family at a Sunday dinner and some really liked it and others not so much, but hey you can't win them all!
Enjoy!

Cheesy Bacon PullApart Bread....

Each Super Bowl, our group of friends has a cook off.  You may remember last year the theme was Chili.  I entered my sweet potato black bean chili and ended up with the "better luck next time" award.  Something about chili needing meat or something.....

This year the theme was BACON!  There were so many delicious items entered.  I will need to eat only leafy greens for a week to help cleanse my blood!   My entry was Cheesy Bacon PullApart Bread.....and this year I did do better, taking 1st place!

Cheesy Bacon PullApart Bread
1 loaf crusty bread - sourdough, braided Italian etc
2tbs garlic powder
1stick melted butter
1tsp salt
1tsp pepper
3cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1 1/2 lbs cooked thick cut bacon chopped into pieces

Cut the bread into a cross hatch pattern where it is still connected on the bottom
Add the garlic, salt, pepper and scallions to the melted butter and drizzle over the bread
Stuff the cheese and bacon within the cuts of the bread
Bake at 400 until cheese is melted