Grilled Pizza

This was a new culinary adventure for me.  I don't utilize the grill, mainly because I don't have one, but still everyone I know has one so there should be no excuse.  Well, we are staying at my in-law's this week so I thought I would try something new and make use of the grill.  It was definitely a success...grilled cheese pizza.

Recipe:
1 can refrigerated pizza dough (or fresh dough)
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup olive oil

Heat grill to 300*. Set up grill so you have one area of direct heat and one area of indirect heat.

Sprinkle counter with half of the cornmeal (just enough so dough does not stick to your work surface) and sprinkle the top with remaining cornmeal.  Then roll out your dough and cut into 4 sections.  Roll each section to about 1/4".  Place 1tsp of olive on on each section and spread evenly.  Flip each section over and repeat with remaining oil.

Place all the dough on a tray; I just used the top of my broiler pan.  (This makes it easier to transfer on and off the grill.)  Place the dough over the direct heat, close the lid, and let bake 3-5 mins or just until the bottom of crust has become firm and browned.  Once the dough has started to brown, remove it from the grill.  Then top each piece with sauce and cheese.  Return pizzas to grill, making sure to place over indirect heat.  Close the lid and bake for 7-10 mins.  Once cheese has melted and the pizza edges are golden brown remove from grill.  Serve and enjoy!

This recipe is just a base for many culinary creations, try a spinach, artichoke, and feta cheese pizza.  Or goat cheese and sundried tomatoes.  Or simply pepperoni pizza.  Just make it your own!

Milanese...the cheater's version

I love milanese anything--pork, chicken, beef.  traditionally, it is coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.  This is a messy process though.  I have made my own cheat version which can altered to your specific tastes.  Instead of the traditional flour/egg, I substitute mayo, sour cream or anything else with a similar consistency that the breadcrumbs will stick well to. 


Be adventurous today and make your own version.


Breadcrumb mix:
1 cup panko, plain
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tbsp dried herb blend (italian is great but try lemon pepper--amazing!)
1 tbsp parmesan cheese (kraft or fresh grated)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper


Milanese Whatever: (This is my recipe from lunch today.)
2 1" thick boneless pork chops
2 tbsp garlic hummus
1 cup breadcrumb mixture
2-3 tbsp oil


In a 10" skillet, heat 2 tbsp of oil over med-low to medium heat.  While the pan heats, spread hummus on one side of the pork.  Press the hummus side down into the breadcrumb mix.  Leave in the breadcrumb mix and spread hummus on the second side.  Turn over and press into the breadcrumb mix.  Make sure each side is well coated.  Repeat with second pork chop.  Once oil is heated (it will begin to waft), add the pork.  Do not mess with it, let it form a nice crispy crust--this will take about 5 mins.  After 5 mins, lift the edge to see how the crust looks, if it is a med to dark golden brown, flip it over and cook for and additional 5 mins, letting it form a golden crust.  After 5 minutes, check the temperature of the pork.  It should be between 145* and 160*. Then serve and enjoy!


* For an alternate version, spread meat with herbed cream cheese, roasted garlic aioli, or flavored sour cream dip then dip into the breadcrumb mix.  Also mix up your herbs and seasonings in your breadcrumb mix--use fresh herbs, montreal steak seasoning, or (my favorite) lemon pepper seasoning.

Chili Cheese Potatoes

2 Russet Potatoes, pierced several times

2 cups Leftover chili

½ cup cheddar cheese, grated

In the morning:

Oil the potatoes and place on slow cooker rack*. Sprinkle with salt. Set slow cooker on Low for 7 hours.

In the evening:

Heat 12” skillet over med-high heat, add 1 tbsp oil. Slice potatoes about ¼” thick and place in skillet. Cook until brown and crisped about 5 mins. Turn and brown the other side. Reheat left over chili while potatoes are frying and set aside. When potatoes are brown and crisp on both sides plate, individually, and top with chili and cheese. Enjoy!

*Note: If your slow cooker does not come with a wire rack, you make your our. Just take several pieces of aluminum foil, roll each piece so it fits lengthwise in the slow cooker, and place potatoes on top. The idea is to have the potatoes steam cook from all sides and leave the skin kind of crispy.

My "Famous" Chili

This freezes great or makes a great dish for a casual dinner party.

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans chili beans, I prefer the Kroger brand

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with jalapenos and onion

1 ½ cup tomato or veggie juice

1 cup frozen corn

1 packet hot chili seasoning mix

½ cup crushed tortilla chips

Combine the first 6 ingredients and cook over med-low heat for at least 30 mins. (The longer it cooks the better the flavor. I like to simmer it about 1 ½-2 hours.) About 10 mins. before serving, add the tortilla chips—this helps thicken the chili. Serve with diced red onion, jalapenos, and sour cream. Enjoy!

So It's Been Awhile...

Well, I think I am going to try and post some more recipes soon. I have made some really delicious meals lately and posted pics on Facebook, but I want to remember the recipes so I am going to write them down then post a couple each week. So if there is something you see on FB that looks good let me know and I'll post the link to the blog. Anyways, we'll see how long this lasts. I need to be committed to something to keep me busy and away from so much TV. Way too much lately and that's definitely not a good thing. Well, I'll try and get some recent recipes up this weekend (Sunday) and go from there. Enjoy!

New Cards and Home Decor

New cards! I bought some new scrapbook/craft items and made some new cards. I am still creating greeting cards, but Christmas cards are coming soon. I hope Christmas paper comes out soon. Anyways, this first set has kind of an Asian feel. I like them alot!

These are sweet cards. Simple "thinking of you" type cards.

I love these cards. Black, red and white--you can't get can't get more classic that that.

This is my "new" lamp shade. I found this most fabulous ribbon at Michael's and hot glued it around the top and bottom edge. Then stenciled the bird. It was hard to stencil but it really turned out fantastic. I have one more lamp and I hope it turns out just a nice.

Inexpensive Wall Art

This is some inexpensive wall art I made last night. All it is a stencil, scrapbook paper, acrylic paint and brush, and a couple adhesive borders. All together this project cost me about $3.50, plus I have more materials leftover for other projects.

I am really happy with the results. If you are a looking for a cheap way to add some decor, maybe you can try this out. Just Pick out a stencil, few coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper, a shade of acrylic paint that matches your color scheme, and a stenciling brush (ask a store rep if you can't find it). Center the stencil on the paper and tape down (use scotch tape so you don't rip the paper). Get a little paint onto the brush and start dabbing the paint around the edges of the stencil then fill in the rest. Just remember a little paint goes a long way--I used about a tablespoon for this project and had plenty left over. Anyways, the paint will set quickly but let it finish drying overnight. All in all this project took me about 15 minutes. But I love the results--instant, unique art!!

Here is my final work. Eventually I will frame these and hang them in the bedroom, but you can always dab a little Elmer's glue on the corners and place right in the wall. It will hold, but comes off cleanly when you are ready for a change!