Pizza Crust Rapido

¾ cup self-rising flour

¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup plus, 1 tablespoon lukewarm water

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 2 more tablespoons for painting crust

1. Preheat oven to 425*.
2. Thoroughly mix flours and salt.
3. Mix water and 1 tablespoon olive oil, either by hand or by pouring into processor while motor is running.
4. Remove dough and knead by hand until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Let dough rest 5 to 10 minutes before rolling out and placing in pizza pan or on baking sheet in a 12-inch circle. Paint with olive oil.
5. Bake 10 minutes. Apply toppings to pizza immediately and bake 5 to 10 minutes. 

Pizza Margherita

1 12-inch pizza crust, prebaked

4 teaspoons olive oil

2 heaping cups grated mozzarella cheese

2 large tomatoes or 6 Italian plum tomatoes, sliced

¼ cup chopped fresh basil or 1 heaping tablespoon dried

1. Preheat oven to 425*
2. Brush prebaked pizza crust with olive oil and sprinkle with all but ¼ cup of the mozzarella
3. Place tomato slices over cheese; sprinkle over remaining mozzarella on top.
4. Sprinkle with basil over topping and bake pizza until nicely browned. 

Sausage, Sourdough, and Bell Pepper Spiedini

Original: Bon Appetite Magazine

6 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar

2 tablespoons plus, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 garlic cloves pressed, infused in oil

4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary

1 cup olive cup

24 2 x ½ inch pieces assorted bell peppers (about 4 bell peppers)

16 1 ¼ inch long diagonal pieces kielbasa sausage (about 1 ½ pounds)

1 large red onion, cut into 1 ½ inch wide wedges, trimmed, layers separated (32 pieces total)

16 1 ¼ inch cubes crusty sourdough

8 cups mixed baby greens

Prep: 45 minutes ; Total: 45 minutes

1   1. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat)

2. Whisk first four ingredients in a small bowl, then whisk in oil

3. Season dressing with salt and pepper and set aside

4. On each of 8 metal skewers, alternatively thread 3 bell pepper pieces, 2 sausage pieces, 4 onion pieces, and 2 bread cubes

5. Brush skewers all over with 1 tablespoon dressing each

6. Grill lightly until charred, turning often, about 12 minutes

7. Toss greens in a large bowl, with enough remaining dressing to coat

8. Divide among 4 plates, top with skewers

*Great for company! 

Hot Cocoa Mix

Total Time: 10 minutes

1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa

1 ¼ cup sugar

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped.

In food processor, with knife blade attached, blend cocoa, sugar, and chocolate and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth. Store in container at room temperature for up to six months. When ready to serve, heat milk and add mix to taste. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

     Originally found in Good Housekeeping  

Michelle's Taco Meat

This is a easy recipe that has become a staple at our house.

Michelle's Taco Meat

Chuck Roast - shredded
One chopped  onion
Taco seasoning mix - I like Ortega low salt
Canned chopped green chilies
Water - 1.5 cups

Directions -

Use a Dutch Oven and spray it lightly with canola/veggie oil. Place the onion in the bottom of the pan and put the roast on top of the onions. Pour the taco seasoning and chilies over the roast. Add the water to the bottom of the pan - don't pour it over the roast.  Cook covered in a oven heated to 200 degree for 8 hours. If you have less time you can cook at 300 degrees for 5 hours.  You can turn the roast once or twice but if you forget to do that it still turns out great!

Thank you Michelle Davis!!!!

BBQ Chicken Bowls

I was searching for something to feed the boys for dinner after football and came up with this quick dinner.

Cooked chicken tossed with a bit of BBQ sauce
Cooked brown rice
2 cups Cooked Corn (cut it off the cob or heat frozen corn)
1 can Black beans heated
BBQ Sauce
Green onion

We started with rice in the bottom of the bowl then added the chicken, corn, and black beans. You can add more BBQ sauce or hot sauce to give it more flavor and garnish with green onion. Yum. I had happy fed kids and husband.

Heidi H's Lentil Salad

This came from my friend Heidi. I added the chicken - the boys like their protein!

1 box cooked lentils from Trader Joe's (you can find them near the lettuce)
2 celery stalks chopped into bite sized pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes cut in half
Feta cheese (use as much as you like)
Cooked Chicken 1 cup cubed or more if you like
2-3TB of your favorite Italian dressing

Mix all the ingredients together. Serve at room temp. Yum. It's easy to double or triple this salad for a crowd.