Fig Pizza

Oh hello. Who are you? Why are you looking at me like I should be guilty? Oh, that's right. You're my readers, and  I AM guilty. Of blog neglect. :(

Remember last school year/this summer when I posted 3 or 4 times a week? Yeah. Those days are over forever. Unless I became a pro food blogger when I grew up, but I don't think that will happen, because, uh, have you seen my pinboards? Yeah, I have expensive tastes. So I have to get a better-paying job, and I won't ever be able to post every day, or even every other day.

Anyway! I'm making it up to you with this divine pizza. It's pretty much the closest I've ever gotten to gourmet. I love figs so, so much. When we lived in middle Georgia we had a fig tree in our backyard. How I miss that thing. I'm not even sure you can grow figs well up here. And they're not the cheapest things. Not too expensive, but not something to eat every week, ya know? But they're soo good, especially when paired with fig balsamic vinegar, blue cheese, and other good ingredients.

Oh, by the way, you should bake your pizza on the bottom rack. It makes the crust so crispy and yummy!

Fig Pizza
1/2 batch pizza crust
1 small pkg dried figs, chopped
3 tbsp fig balsamic vinegar
1/2 onion, chopped
1-2 spoonfuls of brown sugar
canola oil (or butter)
1 5 oz carton blue cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Prebake crust for 10 minutes. Heat vinegar in a small saucepan, whisking constantly, till it reduces by about half. Saute oil, sugar, and onions together. Put everything on top of the pizza and bake 10 min. on 425.

Thank you for ignoring my deplorable nighttime photography, and have a good night!
Mellie

Greek Chicken Salad

I WANT TO GO TO GREECE.

Actually, I want to go to all the Mediterranean countries-Greece, Italy, France, North Africa. 

Really, I want to go everywhere. 

I want to be able to say I've done it. I want to be able to see the sights. I want to experience life to the fullest.

I want it all.

I also want the food. Olives...pita bread...feta cheese...basil, rosemary, and oregano...what more could you possibly want?

Oh, yeah. You might want these. Which aren't Greek in the slightest.


Well, in the meantime, you can savor the flavors of Greece with this!

Greek Chicken Salad
2 c boneless skinless grilled chicken breasts, coarsely chopped
1 small can mushrooms
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 c mayonaisse
lots of feta cheese
1/2 c black olives
lots of basil, oregano, and rosemary

Saute tomato in cooking spray, optional.(But recommended.) Combine everything and chill before serving.

Impossibly simple, quick, but delicious!

Have a good weekend,
Mellie

Mexican Pizza

Too many recipes!!

I'm not kidding. Even if I cooked five new recipes every day for the rest of my life, I would never get to try every good thing that I saw. If I posted five times a day every day, I would never get to share every recipe that you should make. There are too many!

That's why I'm posting today, even though I posted yesterday. It's time for me to grow up and get a life. I can't help it. I don't like it. But it's just how it is.

Anyway, aren't you glad that I don't have more of a life? If I had more of a life, I wouldn't have time to share this Mexican pizza recipe with you. I made it up by myself! I feel accomplished. Not to brag, though. I don't have much culinary imagination. I'm not going to wow you with an out-of-this-world creative, gourmet recipe. It's simple, but it's delicious!

I made my pizza extremely spicy. You may want to go easy on the spices, or use mild salsa. But that would be boring. 

Here's the recipe!

1/2 batch ERM pizza crust  <--(I use half whole wheat flour now)

several sprigs fresh cilantro

several sprigs fresh oregano

cumin

chili powder

cayenne pepper

medium salsa

1/2 can black beans, drained

1 (4 oz) can green chiles, drained

freshly grated pepper jack cheese

mozzarella cheese

Mix some of the fresh herbs in with the dough. Roll out on a greased baking sheet to desired thickness. Bake at 425 for 10 min. Add salsa and other toppings. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Makes: one thin pizza

Who wants Dominoes or frozen pizza when you can have homemade pizza in less than an hour? 

 

Questions of the day: what are your favorite pizza toppings?

Have a good night!

Mellie

Taco Rice

Woohoo! Only half a day left of school! And all my hard exams are done! I'm soo ready to be done with school, I know some of y'all have a month left, but I have NEVER been to school this late before! It's like all my body, mind, and soul just shuts down on May 19 or 20 and refuses to do school things, and it's taking all of my physical and mental energy just to get up in the morning. (Oh, wait. That's how it's always been.) Snow is stupid!

On to more positive things. Like cooking. Cooking, I think, is good for your mind. You have to concentrate on several things at once and you don't have time to worry. I don't eat for comfort, but I think cooking and baking are kind of comforting.

And today, that comfort comes in the form of taco rice!

I love Mexican food! There are a few Mexican restaurants in my town, but the two I've been to are absolutely disgusting. But it's OK, because I think my mom makes just as good Mexican food as a restaurant. And this dish is one of the best we make.

I also like to think it is somewhat healthy, because it contains three vegetables and brown rice. Some of you are thinking, "How dare you call anything with red meat healthy!" But, the beef I used was pretty lean to begin with, and I drained it thoroughly. But if that's still not healthy enough for you, then chicken or no meat would be good too.
Some people are thinking, "I would never eat brown rice! Ugh!" But, although I'm not much of a health freak, I've never seen what was so great about white rice and pasta. It's not only unhealthy, it has absolutely NO flavor. I don't think people really like it, they just use it because it's cheaper, or maybe because they're scared of healthy food. But whole grains aren't scary, I promise! they are worth the money!
And now, I will (finally) shut up and post the recipe.

Taco Rice
 (serves about 5)

1 lb lean ground beef
half an onion, chopped
handful of mushrooms
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
2-3 tsps cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1-2 tsps dried oregano
a few sprigs fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 c rice
Lettuce

In large skillet, brown the beef, onions, and mushrooms. Remove from heat, add tomatoes and spices. Cook rice according to package directions. Stir into meat mixture. Top with lettuce and salsa or cheese or sour cream.

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this lovely photo-it's my mom's.


Have a good afternoon!
Mellie

Summer Sandwiches

Hello!

It was a lovely day today. And-you guessed it- I have no pictures! Ugh! Have I mentioned that I really, really hate this computer? I mean really. Ugh!

But you know what I DO love? A good sandwich. Not a pbj or a fake ham and american cheese on regular bread. A GOOD sandwich. I love to experiment with different cheeses, meats, toppings, and breads. 

For lunch today, I broiled half a multi-grain ciabatta roll with pepper jack cheese, and added a piece of bacon and homegrown lettuce. It was amazing! I love the contrasting textures...the crispy bread, the gooey melted cheese, the chewy bacon. And I think broiled sandwiches are way better than grilled. But I do like grilled sandwiches! And so for supper, we had this amazing meal that my mom created last summer:

Chicken Panini

4 chicken breast halves, grilled

4 slices extra-sharp cheddar cheese (I used cabot's)

Cream cheese ( I used Laughing Cow lite creamy swiss)

4 leaves of cabbage

fresh basil to taste

Grill till cheese is melted and bread is browned.

I love most anything in the ice cream/frozen yogurt family, (I eat a lot of it even when it's snowing outside.) So, for dessert, I had a Jamba Coconut Pineapple yogurt and sorbet bar. It was very good! I had never tried that brand before. And it has only 90 calories per bar.  These are now one of my favorite frozen treats.

 I'm really ready for summer! Just 2 more weeks of school, and the last week I only have to go in the mornings. It seems sooo long. But my cousin has like a month left, so it could be worse. It still seems long.

Questions of the day: What are your favorite summer foods? What's your favorite part of summer?

Have a good night!

Love,

Mellie

Easy Pizza Quesadilla

So,I didn't just make ONE cheesy delicious thing on Monday.

I have no self-control. After I made my delicious grilled cheese for lunch, I had to make a quesadilla for supper. But not just a quesadilla. A PIZZA quesadilla.

When I was little, I would make "pizzas" with mozzarella, pepperonis, and tortillas. But now my tastebuds are more mature, I add things like olive oil and mushrooms.

Here's the recipe!(still no pics, sorry!)

1 tortilla ( I used whole wheat)

mozzarella cheese

parmesan cheese

2 tbsp pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)

1-2 tsp olive oil

other toppings (mushrooms, pepperoni, olive, whatever!)

place all ingredients on tortilla, broil till cheese is melted and tortilla is brown. Serve with extra pizza sauce, if desired.

I'm going to see my family in Asheville this weekend, so next week I'll be back with more reviews, recipes, and books! Until then, goodbye!!

Love,

Mellie

Putting the "move" in Read Eat Move

If you read this blog you probably think I'm fat and lazy.

Which is sometimes kinda NOT AT ALL TRUE. 

Here's my favorite way to work out:

OK, never mind, the computer's not reading the camera memory card so I'll just tell you. The name of the DVD is Weight Loss Pilates with Kristin McGee. Here it is  on Amazon. It has 2 pilates and cardio workouts. Not only is the workout good, but the woman is a great instructor, she is neither rude nor obnoxiously cheerful, she just demonstrates the workout with a smile and encouraging words.

Now, your going to need that workout because this is what you're having for lunch, if your tastebuds are the

least bit normal!

I can't show a picture, so just imagine a grilled cheese sandwich. But not just any sandwich. One made with ciabatta bread, olive oil, and 4 different cheeses. 

 Here's the recipe!

Best grilled cheese 

1 ciabatta roll

1-2 tsp olive oil

1 small slice extra-sharp cheddar ( I like Cabot's because it doesn't have the orange dye)

1 small slice parmesan (or use shredded- but don't EVER use the powdered stuff in the green bottle again!)

1/2 wedge Laughing cow lite creamy swiss (or plain cream cheese)

Sprinkling of feta cheese

lettuce

basil, rosemary, and oregano

Pre-brown the bread on your grill or panini maker. Add cheese and olive oil. Grill till cheese is melted. Add herbs and lettuce. Enjoy!

The only thing missing is bacon! I would've added some but I didn't have any, isn't that sad? Canadian bacon or ham (real ham, not lunchmeat) would be good too.

Off to do pilates! Bye!

Love,

Mellie

Best Pizza Crust

                               I LOVE pizza.                             

It's one of  my all time favorite foods.

I mean, I know it's all greasy and cheesy and fattening, but a piece or two every now and then won't make you fat.  And you can always soak up the grease with a napkin.

If all you've ever had is nasty pizza, and now you think ALL pizza is like that, don't be scared to try this. It's not anything like what you had at school.

If you like frozen or delivered pizza,you'll love this.

Pizza Crust

(Makes 2 really thin, or 1 medium, pizza crust.)

1 pkg. yeast

1 c warm water

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tbsp olive oil

Italian seasoning, opt

 Mix yeast with water. Wait 10 minutes, or until foamy.  Mix with remaining ingredients till a soft dough forms.  Knead 6-8 minutes.  Cover and let it rise for 20-30 minutes or till doubled.  Spread onto greased baking sheets, (use 1 sheet for a thicker crust and 2 for a really thin crust.) Bake 10 minutes each.  Add desired toppings* and bake 10 more minutes each, or until cheese is bubbly. 

**Edit: I started using half whole wheat flour. It is just as good, if not better, than the all white version. DO NOT use all whole wheat flour, it will be completely inedible!

*Here's Some of my favorite toppings, besides the old classic cheese/pepperoni:

-Canadian Bacon

-Feta or Parmesan cheese

-bacon

-Greek Pizza:olive oil, olives, spinach, tomatoes, basil and oregano

Have a good weekend!

Love,

Mellie