BBQ Chicken Pizza

Mandy and I made this when she visited last month and I made it again last night. So tasty and easy. It's not really a recipe, but more a list of ingredients. Sorry, there are no real quantities.

1 recipe pizza dough (I used 1 1/2 cups wheat flour and 1 cup white flour instead of the 3 cups of flour)
BBQ sauce
rotisserie chicken, shredded and then coated with BBQ sauce (its a great way to use leftover chicken or you can cook your own chicken in BBQ sauce)
1 red pepper, sliced into thin strips
red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/3 to 1/2 depending on taste)
pineapple
black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
pepperoni (optional)
shredded mozzarella (about 2 cups)
shredded cheddar (about 1/2 cup)

Heat oven to 400.
Assembly: Roll crust, or press into 10x15" jelly roll pan. **If you don't have a pizza stone, I recommend prebaking the crust for about half the cooking time. This will prevent your crust from getting soggy and will give you a nice crisp on the outside, soft on the inside texture.**
Pre-bake just the crust for about 10 minutes. While the crust is cooking, assemble all your pizza toppings. Remove crust from oven. Spread about 1/4 cup BBQ sauce on crust (its really personal preference) Top with whatever toppings you are using. I added black beans to make a vegetarian version for my roommate (so technically it is a BBQ black bean pizza). Top everything with mozzarella and then just a bit of cheddar cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and hot (I'll also put under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to brown the cheese slightly) Slice and enjoy!

**I made my pizza crust in the morning and covered and placed in the refrigerator (the recipe says it doesn't need to rise, but I always think letting a yeast dough rise once makes it softer) When you get home from work or about 1 hour before you want to start assembling your pizza, remove the dough to the counter to come up to room temperature.

Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguine

Michelle is at it again--making another amazing meal. We had this last night at Sunday dinner and it was fabulous! My vegetarian roommate even said just the noodles with the lemony sauce were delish (no, she didn't eat the chicken!)

1 lb linguine
1/2 c olive oil
zest from one lemon
juice from one lemon
1/2 c chopped green onion
1/4 c parsley
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese

Marinade:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
2 T Cajun seasoning
1 T lemon juice
2 T minced parsley
1 T brown sugar
1 T soy sauce
3 chicken breasts sliced ( or 16 large shrimp)

Combine marinade ingredients in a Ziploc bag, add chicken. refrigerate for 1-12 hours. Cook marinated chicken in skillet with all juices, until chicken is done.

Cook linguine in salted water, drain and rinse. Combine first 5 ingredients in bowl and add pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss in Parmesan cheese. Serve chicken with juices over linguine. Delicious!

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

This cake is very rich and delicious! I frost with either butter cream or chocolate cream cheese frosting (which makes it even more decadent!)

1 cup baking cocoa
1 cup boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 t vanilla extract
3 cups cake flour
2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 cup sour cream

Dissolve cocoa in water; let stand until cool. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (start and end with the dry ingredients) Beat until incorporated after each addition. Add cocoa mixture; beat well.

Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in round cake pans. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans and allow to cool completely before frosting.

**For my nieces birthday cake, I stirred in 1 pkg of Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips before pouring it into the pans for baking. I then frosted it with chocolate cream cheese frosting and garnished it with more chocolate chips.

Cranberry Crumb Bars

inspired by these.

For the crust:
3/4 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups flour

Mix flour and powdered sugar.  Cut in butter, dough will form small crumbs.  Press into a buttered or parchment lined 9x13" pan.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temp to 325.

For the filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
3 T flour
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce* (or 2 cups homemade cranberry sauce; I used leftover from Thanksgiving dinner)
2 T corn starch
1 T brown sugar

Beat cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add sugar, flour, egg, vanilla and salt and beat well.  Pour over crust.  Stir together cranberry sauce, corn starch and brown sugar.  Pour over cream cheese filling.

For topping:
1/3 cup butter, melted
5 T brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine all ingredients and sprinkle over cranberries.  Bake at 325 for 30 to 40 minutes.  Edges will just begin to turn light brown and center will be almost set.  Cool completely, about 2 hours, cut into bars and enjoy.

*You could also use a variety of different fruits here.  I think any flavor of jam would be delish. (I'd cut down the amount used and eliminate the sugar due to the sweetness) Or fresh berries (just smash them a bit and you might need to add more sugar depending on how sweet they are). I think you could even use frozen (I'd thaw first and drain most of the liquid) or canned fruit (drained).  The possibilities are endless and you can definitely appeal to the tastes of your family, friends or guests.  Let me know what fun flavor combinations you use.

Cranberry Sauce

Image and recipe from Simply Recipes 

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

12 oz package of fresh cranberries

1 T minced fresh ginger, optional

Wash and pick over cranberries.  In medium sauce pan, bring water and sugar to boil.  Sitr to dissolve sugar.  Add cranberries and ginger, return to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries burst.  Cool completely and serve at room temperature or chilled.

Zucchini and Corn Quesadillas

*photo and recipe (adapted) from here

3-4T olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, diced
1-2 medium zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
1 can sweet corn (if you have fresh, I think it would be so much better)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 t cumin
lots of chopped cilantro (depending on your tastes)
salt & pepper
8 whole wheat tortillas
1 cup shredded cheese (I used pepper jack, but any cheese you love would work)

Preheat over to 400 degrees.

In a medium skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook one minute more. Add zucchini (and corn if you're using fresh) and cook until it begin to soften, about 5 minutes more. Add corn and beans and cook until heated through. Season with cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro.

Spread one side of tortillas with olive oil. On a cookie sheet place one tortilla, oil side down, fill with zucchini mixture and top with cheese (more or less depending on your tastes). Place remaining tortillas on top, oiled side up. Bake until cheese is melted and the tortillas begin to get crispy, about 10 minutes (you can also place under the broiler if you want it even crispier). Cut into wedges and serve immediately. I served mine with raspberry-chipotle salsa and it was fantastic.

**Only make the number of quesadillas you need for the meal. Save remaining filling to make additional quesadillas for lunch the next day. Or, just eat the yummy filling alone (like I did)

Homemade Marshmallows

2 oz. unflavored gelatin
2 cups cold water, divided
2 egg whites
2 cups sugar
1 t vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
3 T cornstarch

Mix powdered sugar and cornstarch. Liberally coat a 9x13" pan with sugar/cornstarch mixture. Reserve remaining for later.

Place 1/2 cup cold water in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over the top and stir to dissolve. In a medium sauce pan, combine remaining water (1 1/2 cups) and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook to 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved.

While sugar and water are boiling, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. While mixer is running (at about medium) slowly pour in sugar mixture. Whip for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla and mix for another minute or two. Mixture should be glossy and shinny and will begin to thicken. Pour into prepared pan and cover with more powdered sugar mixture. Let rest and set-up for a minimum of 4 hours and up to overnight.

Remove marshmallow from pan and place on a cutting board. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 1" squares. Coat marshmallows in powdered sugar mixture. Store in an air tight container.

*Marshmallow can be colored with liquid food coloring. You will need to add the food coloring at the beginning of the mixing time.

**You can also make marshmallow eggs for Easter. Fill a 9x13" pan with flour. Using plastic (or real) eggs, make indentations for the mold. When marshmallow mixture is whipped, use two large spoons to spoon marshmallow into the mold. Eggs can then be chocolate covered.

I used these to make "gourmet" s'mores at a "faux campout" over the weekend. We used organic graham crackers and high quality chocolate. They were quite the hit!

Spiced Lentil Tacos

Don't be scared by this recipe. This is a great, cheap alternative to traditional tacos and lentils are definitely healthier than hamburger meat. A 1lb. bag of lentils is about $1.50 and will make 2 recipes. It's quite delish; even my Dad enjoyed these!

1 T olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 t salt
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water
1-2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce finely chopped (can be omitted if you don't want it too spicy)
tortillas, warmed
shredded cheese
shredded lettuce or cabbage
diced tomatoes
sliced avocado or guacamole
salsa


Heat oil in large skillet or sauce pan. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add lentils and taco seasoning. Cook until spices are frgrant and lentils are dry, about 1 minute. Add broth and chipotle chilies; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are tneder, 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve with cheese, lettuce (I prefer cabbage on these), tomatoes, avocado--whatever fixings you like on your tacos.

When I make these, I 1.5 the lentil portion. It's great as leftovers and makes a fabulous lunch at work the next day. You can also make a yummy taco salad.

Spicy Spinach Artichoke Dip

1/2 white onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium jalapeno, minced (seeds removed for a milder flavor)
1/2 red pepper, diced
3T butter
1 10oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed (squeeze to remove most of the water)
1 can artichoke hearts, diced
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
1 t salt
1/2 t white pepper
1 pkg blue corn tortilla chips

In a large skillet, melt better. Add jalapeno, cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and onion and cook another 5 minutes, until onions begin to turn clear. Add red pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add spinach and artichokes, heat through. Cut up the cream cheese into about 8 chunks and add with the sour cream. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Add salt, pepper and 1/2 the Parmesan cheese. Heat about 3 minutes, until cheese is melted. Pour into a greased shallow dish (8" square or similar). Top with remaining Parmesan cheese. **Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and top starts to turn brown. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips.

**This can be made a couple of days in advance then covered and refrigerated until ready to serve. If heating from the refrigerator, it will need to be cooked for 30 to 40 minutes.

Murph's Cheesecake

We (the Strattons) got this from our neighbor, Murph, in Texas. This is the best New York style cheesecake I think we've ever had. The crust is the best part!

1 pkg graham crackers, crushed
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cups of chopped nuts, optional
4 T melted butter
Mix together and press on bottom and slightly up the sides of a spring form pan.

2 8oz packages cream cheese
2 8oz cartons whipped cream cheese
2 cups sugar
1 t salt
2 pints sour cream
2 T cornstarch
6 Extra large eggs

Beat cheeses and sugar well then add other ingredients, except eggs. Add eggs one at a time. Pour into crust and bake 1 hour at 375. Turn oven off and leave cake in oven for 1 hour. No peeking except to cover with foil towards end of baking time to keep top from over browning.

Raw Apple Cake

This recipe is from my Grandfather Smith. I don't have the original recipe in his writing, but I'm sure it says to enjoy this with whipped cream and ice cream! Personally, I like it just plain.

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup oil
1 egg
3 large apples, peeled and grated
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup flour
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Beat egg. Add sugar and oil. Add dry ingredients. Stir in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased 8" square pan. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes.

Roasted Corn Chowder

1 T olive oil
1 T butter
8 ears corn, shucked and kernels removed from cobb (or 4 cups frozen corn)
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 jalapenos, finely diced (remove the ribs and seeds if you don't want it too spicy)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups water
1/2 to 1 cup cream or half-n-half
2 T cumin
2 t salt
1 t pepper

To roast the corn, heat the oven to 400. Place kernels on an oiled sheet pan (you only need about 1T to keep it from sticking). Roast corn for 17-20 minutes, until it just begins to brown and the sugars are released.

In a large stock pot, heat oil and melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, jalapenos, pepper and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, until onion is translucent and veggies begin to soften. Add potatoes, corn, water and seasonings. Boil uncovered until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. Add cream or half-n-half and heat through. For thicker soup, you can add about 1 T cornstarch mixed with 2 T cold water (mix water and cornstarch until smooth and add to soup). Check seasoning.

*This is a recipe that I created in an attempt to use up a bunch of veggies from my CSA shares. If you find something wrong, or make your own changes, please let me know. Personally, I wanted a little more kick. I'll either add additional jalapeno (or include some seeds) or add 1/4 to 1/2 t cayenne pepper.

**For Mandy, you can do this soup non-dairy as well. Just leave out the dairy and substitute vegetable stock or chicken stock for the water.

Potato-Pumpkin Soup

1 8 to 10 lb. pumpkin
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 medium white or yellow onions, chopped
6 cups water
1/2 cup condensed milk, cream or half-n-half
1 t cardamom
1 t salt
1/2 t white pepper
1/2 t nutmeg
2 T minced fresh parsley, for garnish

Cut off the top 1/3 of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and strings, saving the seeds. Using a sturdy spoon, scoop out the pumpkin flesh, leaving a 1-inch wall inside. Refrigerate the shell and top.
Combine the potatoes, onions, 2 cups pumpkin flesh and water in a large stockpot. Add the salt, white pepper, cardamom and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200. Put the pumpkin shell and top on a baking tray and place in the oven to warm.
Remove the vegetables and place in a food processor and puree until smooth, or mash by hand until no lumps remain. Return the puree to the cooking water. Stir in the milk, cream or half-n-half, adding more if necessary for a creamier consistency. Heat over low heat until hot.
To serve, place the pumpkin shell on a large serving tray. Pour in the hot soup and sprinkle with fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds, if desired.

Colcannon

This is an Irish dish I found in one of my vegetarian cookbooks. It is quite tasty. I served it with brats, but it would be good with any sausage.

1 lb. cabbage, quartered and sliced
4 lb potatoes, peeled and quartered
8 oz leeks
2 cups evaporated milk
2 t salt
1 t pepper
1/4 t nutmeg
4 T butter (I only used about 2T)

Put cabbage in 3 quart saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until very tender, about 45 minutes. Put potatoes in 4 quart saucepan, cover with water. bring to a boil and cook until very tender. (You will be mashing them) Meanwhile, cut the white parts of the leeks in half lengthwise and slice thinly. Put leeks in 2 quart saucepan and add evaporated milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Boil for 10 minutes, until leeks are tender. Heat oven to 350 and butter a 3 quart baking dish. Drain potatoes and mash. Add the leeks and milk, stir with a spoon. Drain cabbage and fold into potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Put mixture in a baking dish. Dot with bits of butter. (This can be made to this point and refrigerated for several days) Bake 1 hour until heated through and golden on top. Serve hot.

Mel's Award Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, after much persuasion, here it is. Yes, it is award winning (even if it was just a competition at work) and yes, this is the exact recipe. For best results, and a chance at your own award, follow exactly.

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup butter flavored Crisco
2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 T vanilla (I only use real vanilla)
2 t salt
2 t baking soda
4 -5 cups flour
1 pkg. Hershey's milk chocolate chips (these are my favorite, although I understand Guittard is an excellent chip)
1 pkg. Hershey's special dark chips (again, you can use your favorite dark or semi-sweet chip)

In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment (or the kneading hooks--that's what I use on my Bosch) cream all ingredients except flour. You want to mix this until it is just barely incorporated, in fact, you will still have a few lumps of butter. Add 4 cups of flour, mix. Continue to add flour 1/2 cup at a time until the right consistency is reached (this is all by feel for me). Add chocolate chips. Bake 340* for 7-9 minutes for soft, slightly undercooked cookies; 9-10 minutes for fully cooked (and still soft) cookies.

These are best fresh from the oven in my opinion. I use a cookie scoop to make my cookies. I will scoop and place the dough on a plate or cookie sheet and freeze them. You can then pull frozen, perfectly shaped, dough balls from the freezer and cook for fresh hot cookies anytime.

Fig Jam

You're going to have to trust me on this, even if you think you don't like figs, you'll love fig jam. It's sweet and delicious. It's especially yummy with spreadable goat cheese on yummy bread.

3 1/4 lbs fully ripened figs
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 t lemon rind, grated
1 pkg pectin (MCP brand or Sure-Jell)
7 1/2 cups sugar (do not try to alter the amount of sugar, I know it's a lot)

Trim stems from figs. Grind or chop figs and place in a 6 quart sauce pan. Add lemon juice and stir. Add pectin and stir until dissolved. Place figs over high heat and cook until a hard boil is reached. Immediately add all of the sugar (I measured and placed it in a bowl before I began cooking the figs). Bring back to a quick rolling boil that will not stir down. Cook 1 minute.

Remove from heat. With a metal spoon skim off the foam that has formed on top. Ladle into prepared glass canning jars* leaving 1/2 inch of room on the top. Cover with lids and rings. Freeze.

*To prepare jars for canning/jam, wash well in hot soapy water. Rinse and allow to dry completely.

Placed into cute glass jars, this would make a great gift for Christmas, etc.

A Figgy Treat

Thanks to Meggie (and Susan at her work) for teaching me this recipe.

Figs, stems removed and halved
Gorgonzola (or blue) cheese, sliced
1 fresh lemon
honey

Place figs on a jelly roll pan cover in foil, split side up. Cover opened figs with a small amount of fresh lemon juice. Top each half with a slice of Gorgonzola cheese. Drizzle figs with honey. Place under broiler for 3-5 minutes, until cheese begins to melt. Serve immediately. This would make a great appetizer or dessert.

Black Bean & Mozzarella Bowl

1/4 cup smoked tomato vinaigrette (I used Brianna's Santa Fe)
1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 t ground cumin
2 c fresh corn kernels, about 2 large ears (I used canned corn)
2 oz smoked mozzarella, diced (I used fresh mozzarella)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
3/4 cup coarsely chopped avocado
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a largo bowl, combined vinaigrette, beans, cumin and salt and pepper to taste; sent aside. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn and pan-roast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Stir corn and remaining ingredients into black bean mixture and toss together. Chill until ready to serve.

*This would also make a great salsa.
This recipe is from Women's Health Magazine {Makes 4 servings; per serving: 324 calories, 9 g fat, 42 g carbs, 11 g fiber, 13 g protein}

Summertime Risotto

1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 t garlic
1 small onion, diced
2 cups diced zucchini
1/4 cups lemon juice
1 cup arborio rice
1 cup white wine (or white grape juice)
2-3 cups chicken broth (I used vegetable broth)
2 T butter
6 T grated Parmesan cheese

Tomatoes: Heat oven to 250. Toss tomatoes with 2 T olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Bake 1 hour.

Zucchini: Heat 1 teaspoon oil in pan. Cook garlic and half onion until translucent; add zucchini and cook 5 minutes (I cooked closer to 8 minutes to get the zucchini extra soft). Puree in blender with lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt & pepper.

Risotto: Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in medium pot on medium heat. Saute onion until translucent. Add rice and cook 2 minutes. Gradually pour in wine and cook until rice absorbs liquid. Add broth 1 cup at a time until absorbed stirring continually for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. (I used about 2 1/2 cups of broth) Once cooked, stir in zucchini puree, butter and cheese. Top with roasted tomatoes.

*I got this recipe from Self.com (they have lots of great lower fat/calorie healthier recipes)

Jeweled Couscous

1 1/2 cup water
1/2 t salt
1 T butter (optional)
1 cup couscous
1/3 cup craisins
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 t ginger
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t cumin

Bring water, salt and butter to a boil. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff couscous.