Homemade Pizza

I love homemade pizza and make it frequently. I have made up a couple recipes of my own and have adapted a few favorites from allrecipes.com. We made pizzas (sausage, mushroom, and black olives) for supper last night so I thought that I should share these recipes:

Pizza Sauce - I made a few changes to this recipe, but not because I didn't like the flavor. I used 10 medium tomatoes (pureed in the blender) instead of the tomato paste and water because I had fresh tomatoes thanks to my in laws' garden. I also used fresh basil, parsley, and oregano, and left out the marjoram and anchovy paste because I didn't have either on hand. I also cooked the sauce (because of using the fresh tomatoes), letting it simmer and thicken like you would for a spaghetti-type sauce. The sauce tasted quite spicy in the pot but is just perfect once you get it on the pizza with all the other toppings.

Homemade Pizza Dough - I have tried several different pizza dough recipes and come up with one of my own. The crust has a crunchier exterior with a chewier interior and it's pretty fast for from-scratch. Also, it is a hand-tossed style crust recipe. You can also make mini pizzas using English muffins or even Biscuit Dough.

Chicken Alfredo Supreme Pizza - This is a pizza recipe that I created. Our family loves it and most people who have made or eaten it tell me that it's really good.

Pizza on the Grill - I would suggest reading the review of this recipe by MrsZerb77 on Aug. 19, 2005. Also, I skipped the tomato sauce and made a pesto sauce (just fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, and salt). Then we topped it with chicken, bacon, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions.

Veggie Pizza - Fresh pesto is used instead of pizza sauce, fresh garden veggies instead of meat, and topped off with feta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Tortilla Pizza - a perfect use for leftover pizza sauce and tortillas. It's a perfect snack or meal to make with the help of your kids.

BBQ Chicken (top) and
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Crust (bottom) pizzas

BBQ Chicken Pizza - I cook up some spice-rubbed chicken breast (I use my BBQ Pork spice rub) and shred it. Then I mix some prepared BBQ and pizza sauces together (about a 2:1 ratio). I top the pizza with the sauce, chicken, onion, peppers, black olives and pizza blend cheese.

Stuffed Crust Pizza - roll out your pizza dough about 4" wider than you normally would. Then cut 8-10 string cheese sticks in half and place them around the outside of the pizza (about 2" from the edge). Last, fold the dough over the string cheese and press it into itself till the cheese is fully enclosed.Top with sauce, cheese, and any other toppings. Bake as usual.

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza - this is not authentic "cheesesteak" but it is delicious!

Caprese Pizza - a combination of ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese, sweet tomatoes, and fresh basil. This is definitely an example of gourmet pizza at it's finest (and simplest).

Biscuit Dough Personal Pizza - An easy and interactive idea for personal pizzas with the kids.

Homemade Frozen Pizzas - These are really handy to keep on hand extra busy nights. I use my dough and sauce recipes (above) but follow the instructions for freezing the pizzas from the Skinny Mom's Kitchen.

Pepperoni and Sausage Flatbread Pizza - a delicious, grilled, crispy thin crust pizza reminiscent of a stone-fired pizza.

Week 23 Menu (September 20-26)

• Homemade Sausage and Mushroom Pizza


• BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Side Salad, and Fresh Fruit


• Chicken Sandwiches and Pasta Salad


• Pot Roast, Potatoes, and Carrots


• Tuna Pasta Salad

Week 22 Menu (September 13-19)

I'm slowly getting better/faster at posting menus and recipes, but life is still a bit chaotic at our house right now! We ended up having leftovers yesterday (it was the fastest thing to deal with after getting home from church a little later than we usually do).

• Eggplant Parmesan and French Bread
• Crunchy Chicken Salad (Chicken tenders, olives, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, and shredded cheese over lettuce)
• Crockpot Venison Steaks, mashed potatoes, and corn
• Tacos
• Roast Beef Sandwiches

Tomato Sauce

With it being canning season and all, I thought it was about time that I posted a tomato sauce recipe. This recipe was passed down to my mom by her mother-in-law, and now my sisters and I use it. I love this recipe because it is so versatile, i.e. you can use it as a base for spaghetti sauce, chili, any recipe that calls for spaghetti sauce, etc. I have added my own twist on it by adding a few more veggies to the mix.

[Crockpot] Chicken Taco Soup

We love our Tex-Mex and really enjoy this crockpot soup. It's easy and delicious!

• 1 onion, chopped 
• 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans 
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained 
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn or 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 
• 3 cups chicken broth 
• 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained 
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, undrained 
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning or you can make your own (1 tablespoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon sea/kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper) 
• 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts or 2 cups rotisserie chicken
• shredded Cheddar cheese (optional) 
• sour cream (optional) 
• crushed tortilla chips (optional) 
• green onions, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, broth, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Original Source: Allrecipes.com Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Tip 4: Dressing up a boxed Pasta Salad Mix

I got a really good deal on boxed pasta salad mixes a couple of months ago and stocked up. They are fast and easy to make, but definitely taste "boxed." Here is a tip to spice them up a bit.

I used a Bacon Ranch Pasta mix (cooked by the box directions) and then added the following:

• 1/3 cup Miracle Whip
• 3 Tablespoons Ranch dressing
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/3 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

The hubby and one of our guests (who helped me in the kitchen) both mentioned that they would have never guessed it was a box mix unless they had already known!

Here are a couple other things you can add to box mix pasta salads -
Olives, cheese (grated, shredded, crumbled, etc.), crumbled croutons, pickled peppers, red onions, cooked chicken, ham chunks...and the list could go on and on. Bottom line - don't be afraid to experiment with changes and additions to a box mix, make it your own!

Week 21 Menu (September 6-12)

I know this post is well past due. I'm finding it a bit difficult to post while managing two toddlers and a newborn on little sleep. I also had to spent a few hours at the office this week and will be back to normal hours at work next week. The hubby started classes on Tuesday night so we'll be starting the 5 planned meals and 2 nights of leftovers routine again. (Big sigh) Oh well, tis reality. Only two more semesters and he's done with his Associates degree, then only a class here and there as time (and money) permit.g

• Grilled out on Labor Day - Steaks, Baby Red Potatoes with Garlic and Parsley, sliced tomatoes (sprinkle just a dash of either salt or sugar on them), and Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.


• Went out for pizza (had a coupon for free 1 topping medium pizza). We also ordered a Chicken Fajita pan-style pizza, which was really good. It had chicken, peppers, onions, chopped tortilla chips, lettuce, and tomatoes with a side of sour cream and a side of salsa. I may attempt this one here at home.


• Spaghetti, French Bread, and side salad.


• Tater Tot Casserole


• Chicken Taco Soup

Week 20 Menu (August 30-September 5)

Sunday - Chicken Enchiladas with salsa, sour cream, and chopped lettuce.

Monday - Chicken Cordon Bleu and Ratatouille

Tuesday - Burgers, Dogs, Potatoes, and Corn on the grill.

Wednesday - Roast Chicken, Garlic and Herb Roasted Baby Red Potatoes, Veggies, and a Side Salad.

Thursday - Chicken & Pasta (I haven't decided for sure what sauce I am going to do, probably either alfredo or garlic and basil pesto).

Friday - We are going to my cousin's wedding and will be having dinner there. :)

Saturday - My husband has his Fantasy Football draft and hasn't determined yet if any of the guys will be at our house or if the draft will occur solely online. So I'm still trying to decide what we will have for dinner...

Kitchen Makeover

The hubby decided to redo the kitchen while I was in the hospital with baby #3. He figured it would be easier to get the kitchen done while our two toddlers were away at Grandpa and Grandma's for the week. I LOVE how it turned out. Take a look for yourself!

Here is our kitchen before the redo. It had dark stained cabinets with copper hardware, butcher block countertops, off-white walls, a busy floral print paneling backsplash, and tanish/peach and cream lanoleum flooring.

Can you see the pair of potholders hanging above the stove amidst the camouflage of the paneling?

This is the door between our kitchen and dining room. It is on a swinging hinge, which would be great if it weren't for the shag carpet in the dining room that keeps the door from swinging smoothly open. It was constantly getting stuck and then required some good pushing to get it unstuck. (I don't have any pics of it yet, but the door was removed during the makeover!)

Here is a picture of the final paint job. I am still in the midst of putting everything back in its proper place, but love how bright the kitchen looks now. We used a semi-gloss paint in Bermuda Sand on the cabinets. My husband cleaned and polished all of the hardware so the copper looks nice and shiny. The walls were done in satin finish, Montpelier Wedgewood was the color.

Week 19 Menu (August 23-29)

I know I'm posting this after the fact, but figured that it might be helpful. Being I was still recouping from the birth of #3, meals may be more quick fix items for a little while.

• Sunday - We went out for lunch with some friends from church.
• Monday - Our neighbor brought dinner over for us - Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes, and a veggie casserole.
• Tuesday - Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Grilled chicken, zucchini, onions, peppers, and cherry tomatoes in a light tomato basil sauce with Penne)
• Wednesday - Chicken sandwiches and french fries
• Thursday - We had a dinner meeting at church.
• Friday - Corn Dogs, french fries, and a side salad
• Saturday - Went to Pizzaville for a late lunch/early supper. We ordered the 14" Pan with Italian sausage, mushrooms, and black olives. I think it was one of the best pizzas that I've had from a restaurant! It was also pretty inexpensive and we had half the pizza leftover.