Dough

Dough Dough...not to pay your bills with though :) Unless you were to have people pay you to make them dough :)...slick

Here is a super easy recipe to make dough for pizza, calzones....delish

I got this recipe off of AnnaMariaVolpi.com

1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 c warm water
3 1/2 c flour
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch of salt

Step 1:
In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast on the warm water, and stir to dissolve it. Set aside until the yeast starts forming bubbles in about 5 minutes.

Step 2:
Sift the flour. Pour the flour into a large bowl or on a work surface. Mold the flour in a mound shape with a hole in the center.

Step 3:
Pour in the center the yeast mix,olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

Step 4:
Using a spatula draw the ingredients together. Then mix with your hands to form a dough. Then knead the dough on a floured surface just til it no longer sticks to your hands...you can add some more flour if necessary.

Step 5:
Spread some olive oil in a bowl and place the dough ball into the bowl, cover with a towel and place in a dry, warm area for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Step 6:
Sprinkle some flour on your work surface take the dough out from the bowl, with a rolling pin begin to roll out the dough to form a large circle (according to her website you can also cut the dough into 3 equal amounts and make smaller pizzas).

Step 7:
Depending on whether you are making a calzone or a pizza add your ingredients as desired. When I make a calzone I only add ricotta and mozzarella for my husband (since that is all he likes). I add the ricotta only to the sides in 2 big scoops and then a bunch of mozzarella in the center. Fold over the side with no cheese on it and then pinch ends together. Take an egg white and brush it on the top of the calzone, add some fresh Parmesan cheese to the top and make sure to put a small hole in the top center of the calzone for the steam to escape.

Step 8:
Bake @ 425 for about 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Step 9:
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

I know people get sucked into saying Happy Holidays...I understand with regards to it being Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years...but come on...Merry Christmas!

I pray you all have a joyous Christmas and enjoy spending time with your family and friends!

Tim and I are off to Jersey after work today...we haven't been there for a good visit for quite awhile! It should be nice!

Love you all!

Gratitude

I've always had a thankful heart but after 2 years of wedded bliss I've come to realize that I am truly blessed!

God has blessed me and Tim so much...beyond what we could have done ourselves and we are so grateful each day!

I thank my God for blessing me with such a loving and caring husband whose desire is to guide me and build me up in my walk with God and our relationship together!

Latkes

Tonight I am going to attempt making latkes...now I'm not Jewish...but my Jesus was :]

I hope they come out tasty and I am going to try them out in the oven not in the frying pan - so they'll be healthier and I might try them with sweet potatoes too...we shall see!

Healthy Coconut Macaroons

Yes I said healthy because you don't use sweetened condensed milk.

I found the recipe on self.com and thought hmm...quick oats in coconut macaroons BUT I must say they are quite tasty and everyone that has tried them so far loves them!

• Ingredients:
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 10 egg whites
• 2 cups unsweetened dried shredded coconut
• 2 cups plain quick-cooking oats
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 slices salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°. Spray 3 baking sheets with cooking spray; set aside. Stir egg whites, coconut, oats, vanilla, sugar and salt in a bowl until well blended. Drop tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets, half an inch apart. Bake macaroons until light golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

My new LOVE

For all of us dark chocolate lovers out there...ugh to die for :]

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Found this recipe on myrecipe.com and spiced it up and added a few things to it :]

1 sm onion

2 cloves garlic

olive oil

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 32 oz box of chicken broth

1/2 c cooked arborio rice

2 c shredded chicken (from rotisserie)

1 tbsp crushed red pepper

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

To a large skillet add the olive oil then add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes then add the garlic and spices and cook for an additional minute.

Then add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes.

Next add the shredded chicken and stir...slowly add the rice and stir again. Cook for another 2 minutes and serve!

The spices can be adjusted to your liking...I also add a dollop of sour cream once ready to serve!

This pairs well with corn muffins and I found a great recipe that I'll have to post soon!

Fruit Salad with Honey-Yogurt Sauce

My friend Johnny @ work told me about this recipe from Cooking Light...it is oh so good and filling!

Ingredients

• 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind
• 3 cups cubed pineapple (about 1 medium)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped Braeburn apple (about 1 large)
• 1 cup orange sections (about 2 oranges)
• 1 cup chopped peeled kiwi (about 2 large)
• 1/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut
• 1 medium banana, sliced
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Preparation

Combine yogurt, honey, and lime rind in a small bowl.

Combine pineapple and next 4 ingredients (through coconut) in a large bowl; toss gently to combine. Just before serving, stir in banana. Top fruit mixture with yogurt sauce; sprinkle with almonds.

Quaker Oat Bran Muffins

I was in desperate need of some fiber oat loving muffins and came across this recipe from completerecipes.com!

Ingredients:

2 c Quaker Oat Bran Cereal
1/4 c Firmly packed Brown Sugar
2 ts Baking Powder
1/2 ts Salt (optional)
1 c Skim or 2% lowfat Milk
2 Egg Whites, slightly beaten
1/4 c Honey or Molasses
2 tb Vegetable Oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line 12 medium muffin cups
with paper baking cups or spray bottoms only with
vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine dry ingredients.
Add milk, egg whites, honey and oil; mix just until
dry ingredients are moistened. Fill prepared muffin
cups almost full; bake 15 to 17 minutes or until
golden brown. 1 dozen

Tahini Oat Cookies

Thanks to Whole Foods once again!

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grind oats in a blender until coarsely ground (some whole flakes should remain intact). Do not wash out blender.

In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, salt and baking powder.

Place tahini, sesame oil, vanilla, cornstarch and maple syrup in blender and process until smooth. Stir this mixture into oat mixture.

Drop tablespoons of batter on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are golden brown on bottom and puffed.

Corn Bread Chicken Sausage Stuffing

This recipe comes courtesy from Whole Foods Market...I do add my own flair :)

1 8x8 premade corn bread (Whole Foods)
1 lb Italian chicken sausage (mild and/or hot)
4 slices favorite WHITE bread (hearth bread/Italian bread)
1 lg onion
4 cloves garlic
3 celery stalks
2 granny smith apples
2 c chicken stock
1 tbsp thyme
1 1/2 tbsp sage
1 c dried sweet cranberries

First preheat oven to 300 and place cut up corn bread onto cookie sheet in oven for 1 hour; do the same with the WHITE bread but for about 20 minutes

Cut up the onion, garlic, and celery

Cut up the apple and mix with thyme and sage in separate bowl

In large pan cook sausage and crumble with spatula til golden brown...once done take out and put on plate with paper towel...remove drippings

Place onion, garlic and celery into pan on med heat and cook for 5 minutes til onion is soft

Then place apple and seasonings into pan and cook for another 4 minutes

Once that is done mix the ingredients in the pot with the sausage and the breads

Then add chicken stock and cranberries...preheat oven to 375 and then bake in casserole dish for 35 minutes and ENJOY

Quick and Easy Ice Cream

Who doesn't love ice cream...for those who don't I can't understand :)

My recipe follows the usage of an electric ice cream mixer...oh modern technology

Easy Vanilla:

3 c milk ( I use fat free & it still tastes delish)
1 c sugar
2 tsp vanilla

Combine and mix in ice cream mixer for 30 min then place in tall plastic container to freeze

Honey Vanilla:

3 1/2 c milk (once again ff...I call it skinny girl milk)
1 c honey
4 tsp vanilla

Follow the same directions as the Easy Vanilla

Coffee Ice Cream:

Use the Easy Vanilla as your base and add coffee granules...I add about 2-3 tbsp

Cinnamon Sugar Toasted Almonds

Just in time for the Holiday season...I've been craving these almonds so I decided to make them myself!

1 egg white
2 tsp water

1/2 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

3 c almonds

Whisk egg white, add water and whisk til foamy, add almonds and mix to coat

Mix together sugars,salt and cinnamon then add to almond mix and then
add vanilla

Preheat oven to 250

Place almonds on cookie sheet in single layer (coat cookie sheet or
use parchment paper)

Bake for 1 hr 15 min...check every 30 minutes

Stuffed Cabbage...my style

Need:

1 head of cabbage
1 1/2 pounds ground meat
1 onion or bell pepper sauteed
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp each cumin and paprika
pasta sauce or white sauce
med/lg pot of boiling water

How To:

First off take a sharp knife, but be careful - this will aid in the cabbage leaves coming off better - loosen up the center of the cabbage with the knife from the bottom of it

As you begin to take the leaves off have a med/lg pot of water coming to a boil

Place the cabbage leaves in the pot so they soften...once softened about a minute or so cut out the center vein since it is to tough to work with

Some recipes say don't cook the meat but I cook it before hand and then add the spices to the meat along with the onion or bell pepper that you sauteed

Fill each leaf with just enough stuffing so that you can roll the leaf and tuck the sides in

Before placing leaves in pan preheat oven to 375 and put sauce on the bottom so that the leaves won't stick to the pan...then arrange the leaves close together

Once ready add more sauce to the top of the cabbage leaves

Cook for about 30 minutes...as far as sides go get creative with veggies or mashed potatoes

Dinner Recipes

Who doesn't love a homemade dinner - especially one that doesn't take forever to make!

Most of the time I see recipes and then make my own rendition based upon what I have and what I like - since Tim and I are the ones eating it :)

Last night I made chicken taquitos and they were oh so good. The recipe follows:

12 6" tortillas
2 cooked chicken breasts
1 red onion
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
2 cups veg broth
1 cup monterrey jack cheese or fav cheese blend

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Add onions to a hot oiled pan and cook til translucent then add spices and cook for 2-3 min
After chicken has been cooked (I normally just bake in the oven) shred into small pieces - not thick chunks
Add veg broth to pan large enough to hold tortillas and bring to a simmer; once brought to a simmer place the tortillas into pan one at a time for 2 seconds just to coat and soften
Place tortilla on work surface and then fill with combined chicken and onion mixture then add about 1-2 tbsp to the top and then wrap the tortilla
Once wrapped place seem side down on a oil coated bake pan and then brush the tops with oil before putting in oven

Bake for 15 minutes and serve immediately

You can eat them as is or with some beans - Enjoy

Recipes

One great thing I plan on doing is going through my fav recipes and organizing them within my blog - I think that will be great!

So be on the look out for some updates - really soon!

Breakfast Foods

Who doesn't love breakfast? Whether it is just cereal or my husband's infamous egg and cheese on a roll...it is always fun to make! A few good things for breakfast are homemade oatmeal and even just a fruit salad with granola...the possibilities are limitless when it comes to breakfast foods. I hope to make a new post with some breakfast recipes - especially some of my favorites! A great thing to have too is a shake...especially one that is packed with yogurt and granola - that's right granola! Be back soon!

Here we go...

Ever since I was in grade school I had a passion for cooking and watching Food Network and good 'ol Martha. I thought I wanted to be a chef when I grew up...I'm semi-grown-up now and I'm not a REAL chef, but heck I'm a chef at my house! I sometimes think that I love cooking and baking for others more than myself...especially my husband! I used to record a show with my Aunt when I was in grade school, it was called, H & S Catering...we'd use the cookie presser and make cookies and just fun stuff all the time :) Now that I have the kitchen of my dreams, I just can't get out of there...whether it is making a scrumptious meal or making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies at 11 p.m.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this will go and hopefully you'll be inspired by my taste for adventure in recipes!