Zuppa Toscana Pizza

I can't quite remember where the inspiration for this pizza came from, other than the fact I am in love with the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup.  I know, I know Olive Garden is not real Italian food, but it is really delicious.  A good friend of mine created a home made version of the soup for a nice dinner surprise one night, so I decided I would flip the script and make it into a pizza.  The only thing I left out was the kale, because I think warm lettuce is gross.  I enjoy fully cooked greens, like sauteed spinach; but warmish greens, like on top of a pizza, just give me the creeps.  If you don't share my aversion add some kale to the top of your pizza when it comes out of the oven.  So for this pizza there a several things that need to be cooked before the pizza can be cooked.  I'll start with a list of those items and then move on to the assembly of the pie. 

1/2 lb ground Italian sausage.  Cook through, remove from pan, drain and save grease.  Set sausage aside and return the grease to the pan.
1/2 medium white onion, cut Julienne.  Saute in the reserved sausage grease.  Once they turn slightly brown, remove from pan but again leave the grease.
1 small red potato, sliced very, very thin.  Saute potato slices in reserved grease until brown and crispy.

****you will also need:
1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce.  If you can find a variety with extra garlic, go for that.  If not you can add a couple diced cloves while cooking your onions. 
1 tablespoon crushed red peppers
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

I went with a medium white crust for this pizza, I wanted it nice and doughy to try to mimic the garlic bread sticks Olive Garden serves with everything. 

Roll your crust out and top with the Alfredo sauce, ground sausage, onions and potatoes.  Sprinkle the red peppers and finish with the two cheeses.

This one will cook for 12-15 mins in a 400 degree oven.

this month is almost over and I'm still going to try and get a breakfast pizza and nacho pizza up...wish me luck! 

Also next month it's back to the basics; I'm going to be working with the five mother sauces.

Stuffed Mushroom Pizza

It's finally here!  The much anticipated stuffed mushroom pizza!  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  I can't believe that no one has done this before, seriously I am a genius. 

For this pizza a thick crust is a must, and I suggest the semolina crust.  It will give it a little extra texture to balance out the soft mushrooms.

For the mushrooms, clean them well and remove the stems (do not throw away). Place a small dollop of butter in each mushroom cap and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake at 400 for 10 mins or until mushrooms are soft.  Remove and let cool.

For the filling.  Start with 1/2 pound of spicy Italian sausage, cook, drain and set aside.  Dice a small onion, sautee until clear and tender, dice your mushroom stems and add them now, finally add one tablespoon of garlic to the pan, cook for another 30 seconds.  Remove from heat and add to the sausage.  Once this mixture is cool add in 1/2 cup ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.  (if the sausage and onions aren't cool the cheese will melt into a big goopy mess)  Add in some freshly chopped basil.  Stuff this mixture into your cool mushrooms.

Now back to the pizza, roll out your crust nice and thick, top with a red sauce.  Place your mushrooms randomly around the circle, take the leftover filling and sprinkle it around the rest of the pie.  Top generously with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 400 for 12-15 mins or until crust is crispy and cheese is melted.

I think this is the perfect pizza to sprinkle with some crushed red peppers, but if your not a fan of spicy I would skip the crushed peppers.  

Green Peace

I know I said stuffed mushroom is next and I PROMISE it is coming soon!  BUT....I needed a quick dinner last night and I had all the left over veggies from the BBQ veggie pizza so I threw together a twist on the veggie pie.  I'm calling this one green peace.  It's not revolutionary or anything but it is a delicious way to use up some greenage.  I'm sorta going through an obsessive phase with whole wheat so that was my choice for crust.  I rolled it really thin so I would have a crispy crust.  Everything else I used was green.  Starting with my sauce, a basil pesto.  I think I mentioned this already but this was a quick fix dinner, so please don't judge me for using pesto out of a jar.  (I will add a recipe for fresh pesto at the end of this blog)  On top of the pesto I added sliced zucchini, asparagus tips, thinly sliced green peppers, spinach, onions and diced mushrooms.  (ok maybe not everything was green).  I finished it with a sprinkle of parmigiano-reggiano cheese.  In the oven for 10 to 12 mins at 400 degrees.  Easy, fast, yummy dinner on the fly!  Enjoy!

******fresh pesto******
2 tbsp pine nuts
2 1/4 cups fresh basil
table salt
5 cloves garlic chopped
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp grated parm

Roast the pine nuts.  In a food processor (blender) combine all ingredients except the cheese.  Process for 10 second spurts.  Add the cheese and process for another 10 seconds.  Season with additional salt.  Use immediately.  Will hold for 1 to 2 days in an air tight container under refrigeration. 

Pizza! Pizza!

MMMMMmmmmmmm, Pizza!  I am super excited about this month and it seems like there is plenty of support from my fans.  I've already got requests for low-calorie pies, BBQ veggie pizza, breakfast pizza's and I've got my own ideas for a stuffed mushroom pizza and a pizza soup!   I hope I can fit this all into one month.  I'm going to start with the bottom, crust.  I'll give you a couple variations of recipes to try. 

CRUSTS

Thin to Medium Crust
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour *extra for dusting
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 package (2 1/2 tsp) quick rising yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt
1 1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees) *extra as needed
2 Tbsp olive oil * extra as needed

It is best to mix in a food processor or stand mixer (kitchenaide) but with a little elbow grease you can do it by hand. 
start by mixing together the flours, yeast, sugar and salt.  While the motor is running slowly stream in the water and oil.  (if your doing this by hand, mix a little at a time until well combined)  When ready the dough should be tacky but not sticky.  Let set for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a lightly floured surface.  Roll into a smooth ball and transfer to a bowl coated with oil.  Roll the dough to coat all sides with oil then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let set.  It will take a little over an hour for the dough to rise.  You want it to double in size. 
Once the dough has doubled, move it back to the lightly floured surface.  "Punch" out the air (work with your hands to remove large air bubbles).  Divide the dough into two pieces, roll each into a smooth round. 
At this point the dough is ready to be used or frozen.  (it will hold in the freezer for 6 to 8 weeks)
If using roll out to the desired thickness (thinner=crispier) and top as you please

SEMOLINA PIZZA CRUST
1/4 cup warm water (115-120 degrees)
1 tsp sugar
1 package (2 1/2 tsp) yeast
1 cup room temp water *extra as needed
1 Tbsp olive oil *extra as needed
2 cups 2 Tbsp semolina flour
1 cup 1 Tbsp all purpose flour *extra as needed
1 Tbsp salt

Start with the first water, sugar and yeast.  Mix the sugar and water together, then sprinkle in the yeast, let alone until it begins to foam (5 mins) Add room temp water and oil. 
In your mixer combine the flours and salt, keep the motor running and stream in the water/yeast mixture. 
From this point forward, follow the directions from Thin-medium dough. (start with the bold instructions)

WHOLE WHEAT CRUST
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour *extra for dusting
1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 package quick rise yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees) *extra as needed
2 Tbsp olive oil *extra as needed

Follow instructions for Thin-Medium crust

These crusts should be a great start for everyone, I'm hoping to have some sauces and maybe a whole pie up by the weekend.  But don't wait for me, if your feeling ambitious get started on your own pizza topping! 

Curried Chicken Salad

This dish is neither a dessert or pizza, just a yummy little treat that I wanted to share.  Curried Chicken Salad.  I make this for just me, so if your feeding a family you might want to up the portion sizes. 

1 chicken breast (cleaned and fat free)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
curry powder
crushed red peppers
green onion
lemon
salt and pepper

Lightly season your chicken with salt and pepper then grill or bake until cooked through.  Allow to cool then shred or chop into tiny pieces.  Start with the yogurt, 1 tablespoon at a time, mix with the chicken until you reach your desired creamy-ness.  Chop your green onions nice and small and mix them in.  Next comes the seasoning, start 1 teaspoon at a time with both the curry and red pepper until you reach your desired flavor/spice level.  Finally add a couple zests of the lemon peel and donezo! 

This is great to snack on with crackers or make a yummy sandwich with whole wheat bread. 

OR my absolute favorite way to serve this, with Naan.  Trader Joe's has an amazing garlic naan that comes in the freezer section.  In less than two minutes it's heated and ready. 

A side note for my veggie family and friends....switch the chicken with thinly sliced cucumbers, onions, and red bell peppers for a tasty treat.  Or if you allow eggs in your diet, this makes a delicious egg salad too. 

Creme Brulee

Creme Brulee, always a favorite of mine, and not just because its delicious but because you get to play with a blow torch when making it.  Just like the Sabayon, you most likely already have everything you need in your kitchen.  Minus the blow torch of coarse but we can work around that.  Here's what you need:

6 egg yolks
3oz sugar
24 oz heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp vanilla

extra sugar for the tops (granulated, raw or brown sugar)

Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar, then add vanilla.  On the stove top quickly scald (bring to the point right before boil) the cream.  Remove from heat and slowly whisk into the egg mixture.  Add the salt.  Pour mixture into ramekins (ceramic works best but you can also buy disposable foil ones) and place ramekins in a bain marie (pan filled with water 3/4 the way up the side of the ramekin dishes).  Bake at 300 in a NON-convection oven.  The time will vary depending on the size of your ramekins.  Start with 30 mins for a 6oz ramekin, it shouldn't take more than one hour for this size dish or one similar.  They will be done when they are set in the middle.  You can check with a toothpick or by very gently shaking the dish to see if the center is set.  Remove from the bain marie and cool.  It is best to let them refrigerate over night.  When ready smooth a thin layer of your choice of sugar across the top of the custard.  If you have a blow torch move the flame in a steady circular motion over the sugar, you want a light brown caramelized crust.  Don't let it burn or all your hard work will be ruined with a bitter taste, literally.  If you don't have a torch you can set your oven to a high broil and place the sugar lined ramekins under the high heat, watch them closely, it wont take more than a few seconds to get the desired crust. 

And now the best part, eating it.  Take the back of your spoon and give the sugar shell a good 'whack'.  If it's done properly it will shatter like glass.