Pizza Blogging

Hello all you foodies ...

Well, some of you think there are no carbs in my world
this week I am proving your perceptions inaccurate.

Tonight was Piled High Pizza night, of course, we had a bowl of soup first - that chicken soup sure does s-s-s-t-t-t-r-r-e-t-t-ch!

Shopping List -
Pizza dough - more about that below
2 Red Peppers
5 Zucchini
1 large Vidalia Onions
5 - 8 meatballs depending on their size
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomato Sauce - This is a staple and I make a large pot almost once a week, I can use it in a few dishes.
Optional - fresh ground pepper
Oregano
Fresh Basil
Pepperoni
Broccoli
Fresh Tomato & Basil
The list is endless!!
I would LOVE to hear about your favorite toppings - leave a comment!!

Granted, the meats I prefer are Turkey meatballs, turkey sausage and even turkey pepperoni.

But, ordering from a local pizzeria guarantees dinner in 20 minutes, can be delivered, or you can pick up on your way home - and minimal clean up. Now how it works in this world.

Let’s just talk about the Pizza Dough for now ...
Store bought or you can make it in a bread machine.

If you are very adventurous - you can go for the the way of my youth - flour, warm water, yeast and salt, a big bowl, a very clean counter, extra flour for the counter, oil for your hands will help the dough from sticking to you if you are ‘hand mixing’ get ready of a work out. these days - use your Cuisinart and big empty bowl. and Mix all ingredients, knead dough for almost five minutes using the heal of our palm when pushing dough away from you. The texture will become smooth. Dust the bowl bottom with flour put the dough in, cover with wrap and leave in a warm place - check back in two hours.

My Choice most times - Pizza dough from Whole Foods - they have a wonderful Whole Wheat Pizza dough that has 6 ingredients - not enriched flour and sugar is the last ingredient: Whole Wheat Flour, Water, Yeast, Olive Oil, Salt and Sugar.
The only thing missing are the directions - I have found that letting the dough get room temperature for at least 30 - 60 minutes is beneficial because it is easier to manipulate.
I also pre-cook the spread out fork punctured [this helps it from ballooning in the oven] dough on a greased and lightly floured pizza pan for 6 - 8 minutes at 450 degrees.

Removing the slightly baked pizza dough from the oven, I ensure that it can easily slide off the pan, otherwise, I will remove it now with a spatula and re-apply some olive oil to the pan.

Next it’s time to BUILD a pizza - I ladle on hot tomato sauce, spread the shredded mozzarella cheese, and top with hot sliced meatballs, and sliced zucchini, red peppers and onion that just came out of the over after baking 20 minutes. I was missing the Italian Sweet Sausage, but alas, we cannot always have what we want.

Time to watch Top Chef!!

Chicken Soup Squared, Chicken Wrap, and Vegetables.

Tonight was a night for a quick fix!
So, here it is Chicken Breast Wrap with lettuce, tomato, side of broccoli and some left over cauliflower bake from the other night.

To zest up chicken breast marinate them in salad dressing - that's right - Wishbone Italian - low ft or fat free is low in sugars - are great choice - use extra marinade and just cook it with the chicken - I used the thicker skinless boneless one - so, I butterflied them and cooked for about ten minutes on each side. Damascus Bakeries make these terrific wraps - they are square and easy to roll, they come in Whole Wheat and Flaxseed - low fat, low sugar and the carbohydrates are well balanced by the fiber and proteins.

Someone I know gave me a quick easy vegetable idea - 20 - 25 minutes on bake in the oven at about 400 on a lightly greased baking pan - I prefer olive oil when I bake the vegetable.

The cauliflower is a bit more time consuming - so leftovers were conducive to a dinner in under 30 minutes. I just use frozen cauliflower [usually 2 bags] defrost it by cooking it in a large frying pan sprayed with Pam. It takes a good 15 or so minutes for it to start to defrost and get a bit golden. This is when I put the over on at 400. Take out a nice sized baking pan or pyrex dish - and spray it with Pam, put it on the side. When more than half of the cauliflower is at the golden stage ... I add in a whole head of fresh chopped garlic with olive oil in the center of the pan, and stir well to coat the cauliflower with the garlic and olive oil. As soon as the garlic starts to get just a little golden. Garlic that starts to burn also gets bitter - so keep a close eye at this point. Then I add 2 - 3 heaping tablespoons of dried parsley that I crush and pepper to taste. Sometimes I even add a hint of either cajun spice or some other 'hot' dried spice - also to taste. Put the cauliflower in the baking dish and cover moderately with a cheddar or american cheese of your choice and bake until the cheese melts - about 12 - 17 minutes. [This is one of the reasons I don't use too much salt, it's everywhere, including the cheese.]

Well - I promise the chicken soup recipe soon! But I will tell you why I refer to it as Chicken Soup Squared. I use a ready made broth, but I cook the split chicken breasts in the broth while I chop & saute the celery and onions; the base of most all of my soups so far!
The chicken flavored is intensified with this little trick and I just strain out the fat and shred the chicken for the soup after it's cooled a bit. My favorite broths are Rachel Ray Chicken Broth and Pacific Organic Chicken Broth - they are naturally lower in sodium and there is no 'low sodium' taste.

Well, I hope that this idea helps you and enjoy!!!
MANGIA!!!

MMMMMM....Chicken Burgers

Well, a quick seasoned chicken burger, melted gooey mozzarella cheese topped with turkey bacon strips with some beans added to the meat mix made this a very satisfying meal!!!
Served with ratatouille, fresh tomato slices and a pickle, of course.

Fight the outside chill with a hot bowl of Chili con Carne

I did it, I made the Beef & Bean Chili last night.
I used a ton of beans, some lean chop meat with the usual base of celery, onions, diced tomatoes, and spices - we use lettuce instead of rice or

tortilla chips to make it more filling, it adds a crispy crunchy fresh edge!

Rachel Ray's Cupcake Meatloaf!

Thanks Rachel Ray!
I love dinner that can be done in 20 minutes - a few healthy tweaks and we were good to go ...
have you ever added beans or LENTILS to your meatloaf?
Goes great with some Sweet Potato Fries - as you can see from the picture, some of them never lasted for the 'shoot'.

RECIPE ADDED AS REQUESTED!!
Okay you foodies
here is the recipe, this recipe is adapted to meet the South Beach style of eating. By using measured out low sugar ketchup and adding Worcestershire, flavor and moisture are added.
Lentils also add in texture and protein making this more filling and adding nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1 - 1.2 lbs. lean chopped meat
• 1 egg
• 3 tbs. low sugar ketchup
• 1 onion - chopped and sauteed
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Can lentils - drained [i.e. Goya]
• 3 - 5 tbs. chopped parsley
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Large cupcake / muffin pan - makes 12
Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Chop onion and cook in frying pan on stove until opaque to slightly golden
Spray the cupcake pan with non-stick cooking spray - set aside


When the onions are done combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly
"Ice Cream" Scoop the mixture into the cupcake pan, usually 1 scoop will work for each cupcake. If you have any mixture left over - distribute evenly.


Bake for 20 minutes and enjoy 2- 3 'cupcakes' per person!!
I served them with Sweet Potato French Fries and broccoli.
String Bean Salad would also be refreshing o this would go great with the Cauliflower bake.


Until Next Time
Eat Well and Enjoy!
Francine

Snack time...

We've been eating the same thing for months and months ....
but, I have to say, it takes the edge off
At least I had my favorite .... Roast Beef with Horseradish mayonnaise

No time to make dinner during the week ...

Little energy by mid week and few creative juices
so, I was glad there was a Turkey Breast

Tenderloin ready for the oven when I got home tonight!!
Thanks so much Shadybrook.

Do I have the energy to make Chili for tomorrow evening?