Things That Make Me Smile

My Halloween Kitchen Witch

Pizza Night

After a long work week I try to keep Friday night dinner fun and relatively quick and easy.  Burgers, various sandwiches and pizza are usually

 on the menu.  Last night was pizza.  The fun thing about pizza is the endless possibilities.

This pizza was half pepperoni, half spicy chicken sausage, green peppers and red onions.  But the creative possibilities are endless.

Dough:

1 package yeast

1 tbs sugar

2/3 cup warm water

Mix together and let sit for 5 minutes

2 cups of flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup olive oil

yeast mixture

I mix in my Ninja with the dough hook for about 1 minute

Remove dough and kneed for about 1 more minute

Place dough in a covered, greased bowl and let double in size. Approximately 1 hour.

Pizza Sauce:

8 ounces tomato sauce

1-2 cloves minced garlic

1/2 minced onion

tsp or two of dried oregano

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Sautee garlic and onions, add sauce and oregano and let simmer.  Right before you are ready to use the sauce, stir in the parmesan cheese.

In the oven preheated to 475 degrees I pre cook the dough for about 7-10 minutes.  Remove from the oven, add sauce and toppings and mozzarella cheese.  Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the mozzarella is bubbly delicious. 

Things That Make Me Smile

                                                                   Happy Saturday!

Popovers

Popovers or Yorkshire pudding, depending where you are on the globe...well, they are heavenly. 

Years ago when I first decided to try making my own I was so worried.  I had always been led to believe they were difficult to make but they really are quite simple.  Once you get the basics
down, the possibilities are endless.

You can make them in muffin tins if you do not have a proper popover pan.

Basic Popover Recipe:
3 room temperature eggs
1 cup room temperature whole milk
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

Whisk eggs and milk well.
Add flour and salt to the egg mixture and whisk again until batter is the consistency of pancake batter.

Spray pan well with cooking spray and put in the oven preheating to 450 degrees
Once oven reaches 450 degrees remove the pan and add the batter to fill the cups.  Bake for 20 minutes.
Turn oven down to 325 and bake for 15 more minutes.

Remove from oven and place popovers on a cooling rack.  Stick a sharp knife in the end to allow steam to escape and prevent deflating.

Makes 6 large popovers.

*To add your favorite cheese, put cubes of cheese in the pan once the batter has been poured.
*Add herbs or chives to the batter for savory popovers.

I love these served with cream cheese and jalapeno jelly.

Changing Seasons

My favorite time of year has begun.

I enjoy Summer and all of the fresh herbs, veggies and fruit.  I also love nothing more than sitting in the sun with a good book.  However, because I lived in SW Florida for so many years with no 'real' fall or winter,  now that I am back in the Midwest I LOVE October - February. 

I love all of the holidays, the longer nights, feeling cozy at home and most of all the food of the season. Chili, stews, soups, casseroles, slow roasted beef or chickens are what make our dinner menu during these months. And when it's cold outside nothing is more comforting than baking a sweet treat, warming the house and making it smell like heaven must smell.  This time of year is full of comfort food for the soul.

One of my favorite fall/winter comfort foods is White Chicken Chili.  I always make a huge batch and keep some in the freezer because this chili makes you feel so good.

White Chicken Chili
1 pound chicken (white and dark meat from previously roasted chicken or cut up raw chicken)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, diced
3 Cups chicken broth
4 ounces diced green chiles
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
2 teaspoons Mexican or regular dried oregano
3 Cups great northern beans
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

After cooking, top with cilantro, jalapeno's, cheddar or jack cheese. (Optional)

Over medium heat cook chicken and onion in oil until lightly brown. (If using pre cooked roasted chicken add chicken with the chicken broth.)
Stir in spices, green chiles and broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add beans, stir and simmer another 15 minutes.