Pizza Pizza

You know those nights when you just want your kids to eat. Like not an ounce of you feels like fighting or repeating "eat your food or get off of my table!" So on those nights I usually make one of two things, Pasta with a 3 (or more) cheese white sauce, or Pizza.

The best part of making pizza is that I use my home made spaghetti sauce, and I LOAD that up with veggies, so I don't even feel guilty when I just pile on olives and cheese on my pizza and call it supper.

So here we go break out the bread machine because it's that simple.

In your bread machine add in:

1 1/3 c of water
1/4 c of olive oil
3 1/2 c flour (white or whole wheat, or a blend)
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast.
(you can always add a bit of Oregano or Italian Seasoning)
 Set it on the dough setting and come back in 1 1/2 hrs.

This makes 2 large pizzas. When I was at work I would set this in the morning and make it when I came home. Still turns out pretty good, even after sitting all day.


Bake it at 400 for 18 minutes.

So here's our creations (actually they are pretty standard in our house) Olive and All Beef Salami for the kids.

Pesto, Olive and Sun dried Tomato for us.

Enjoy!

Mix & Match Bread

Before I start, let's give credit where credit is due. This recipe is adapted from a Foodnetwork magazine I got a couple of years ago. I can't take credit. Although I have changed it just a little and the changes are what I post.  Enough of that let's start.

Ok oh so yummy, you mix and match to make the perfect quick bread or muffin that you are craving. It takes 3 steps. The base, the fruit, the add ins.

The Base:

Combine the dry ingredients

1 1/4 c flour
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp each baking powder, salt, and cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda.
Now whisk the wet

2 eggs
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c yogurt or sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
Combine

The Fruit:
1 c of your chosen fruit. (pears, apples, or zucchini shredded and squeezed dry, banana mashed)

The Add Ins

Once all that is combined, it's time for the good stuff, the add ins. Mix in up to 1 1/2 cups of add ins, try nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, shredded coconut. You get the idea.

So the oven has to be at 350, if you are doing a loaf it takes about 55 minutes -1hr, mini loafs about 35-45 minutes, and muffins take about 30 minutes.

So I did a Banana loaf with chocolate chips, cranberries and walnuts.

Then I did some banana muffins, I switched out the vegetable oil for apple sauce, and did about 1/3 cup each of chocolate chips, coconut, and score bits, and about 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.

Give it a whirl, let me know what great combos you come up with. 

Chocolate Macaroons

I got this recipe years ago. I mean years ago, I still use it when I need a quick, simple treat that is sure to please anyone. You don't need a stove, no oven either. Just a microwave.

Get ready, it's complicated ;)

Combine 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup each butter and milk in a microwave safe bowl.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Stir.

Microwave on high for another 3 minutes.

Stir.

Last time, Microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Stir.

Add to 2 cups each shredded coconut and oats, 5 tbsp of coco powder, pinch of salt.

Mix it all together.

Drop tablespoons of the mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet and chill for a couple of hours until firm.

That's it. Really that's it.

Enjoy!