Bacon and Leek Pizza

posted in: Pizza | 0

Pizza Bacon, Leeks & Gruyere

This is a really different combination, but it is well worth a try.  The bacon is crispy and flavorful and the leeks are soft and delicious.  The combination of goat cheese and gruyere bring the flavors all together. 

 

Ingredients

3 Leeks, cut and washed

1 Lb Bacon

4 oz Goat Cheese

8 oz Gruyere Cheese, grated

Pizza Dough – from the pizza store or supermarket

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450º.

In a cast iron skillet, fry the bacon until crisp.  Set aside.  When cool, crumble or cut the bacon.  Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet.  Add the cleaned, cut leeks and saute until they are caramelized.  Remove from the pan and set aside.  

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450º.

There are two ways that I like to cook pizza at home.  I have used both and they are equally good.

Option #1

Stretch the dough into a 9-inch round pizza pan or a baking sheet.  Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with oregano or Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  Bake until golden brown. 

Remove the crust from the oven.  Top with warm Leeks and bacon.  Add the Gruyere. Cut the Goat Cheese into small pieces and dot all over the pizza.  Put back into the oven until the cheese melts. 

Option #2

Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack.  Let the oven heat up to 450º – 500º.  

Lightly flour a pizza peel. If you don’t have a pizza peel a piece of parchment paper will work just fine.  Top with the warm Leeks and bacon.  Add the Gruyere. Cut the Goat Cheese into small pieces and dot all over the pizza.  

Slide the pizza off the peel and onto the stone or baking pan in the oven.  If you are using parchment paper, put the paper with the pizza into the oven on the pizza stone or the inverted baking sheet until the crust is golden brown.  

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Spinach & Ricotta Pizza

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Pizza Spinach and Ricotta

If you like spinach, you will love this pizza.  It is so simple, but so delicious.  I first had this about 20 years ago at a pizza place in my hometown that went out of business.  I tried to find it at every other pizza place that I went to, but no one had it.  I finally had to make it myself.  

 

Ingredients

2 Boxes (10 oz) Frozen Spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

3 Garlic Cloves

1 Prepared Pizza Dough 

1 Pint Ricotta

Salt 

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450º.

Spinach – In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. When the garlic is beginning to brown, add the spinach.  Season with salt.  Simmer on low for 20 minutes.

 

Pizza Crust

There are two ways that I like to cook pizza at home.  I have used both and they are equally good.

Option #1

Stretch the dough into a 9-inch round pizza pan or a baking sheet.  Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with oregano or Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  Bake until golden brown. 

Remove the golden crust from the oven.  Drain the warm spinach, reserving the olive oil. Place the spinach on the pizza crust.  Top the spinach with  dollops of ricotta.  Drizzle the olive oil from the spinach on top.  Bake until cheese melts and starts to bubble up. 

 

Option #2

Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack.  Let the oven heat up to 450º – 500º.  

Lightly flour a pizza peel. If you don’t have a pizza peel a piece of parchment paper will work just fine.

Drain the warm spinach, reserving the olive oil. Place the spinach on the pizza dough. Top the spinach with dollops of ricotta.  Drizzle the olive oil from the spinach on top.  

Using the peel, slide the pizza off the peel and onto the heated pizza stone or baking sheet.  If you are using the parchment paper, put the pizza with the parchment paper on the stone or baking sheet.  Bake until the crust is golden brown. 

 

 

 

 

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Pizza

posted in: Cooking, Pizza | 0

Pizza nite

Pizza is one of those things that I can eat morning, noon and night.  Everyone has something that they can eat any time, any day.  Pizza is it for me.  I looooove pizza.  I can eat any type, traditional with sauce and cheese, pepperoni or vegetables, I’m not fussy.  Tonight we had pizza night at my son’s house. As you can see, there was plenty of pizza.  Every type an every variety.   We had a big crowd and a lot of tastes to appeal to.  It was a great night.  

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Loaded Potatoes

posted in: Cooking, Starters | 0

Loaded Pototoes

These are the best appetizer.  They are easy and delicious.  Everyone loves them.  

If you’re looking for a great game-day snack, this is it.

 

Ingredients

2 Medium Potatoes

Cooking Spray

1/2 lb Cheddar Cheese

4 Green Onions

1 lb Bacon

Sour Cream

Salt & Pepper

 

Instructions

Cut the potatoes in rounds approximately 1/4 inch thick and lay single file on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper

Pototoes Sliced

Cook the potatoes in a 350º oven for 30 minutes or until they are soft.  

Fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel lined plate.  Let cool, then crumble.  Set aside

Chop the green onions in small pieces.  Set aside.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and add the cheese.  Put the potatoes back into the oven just until the cheese melts, then remove. Sprinkle the bacon and green onions evenly over the potatoes.  Top with a small dolop of sour cream on each one.

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Macaroni Salad

posted in: Macaroni Salad, Salad | 0

Macaroni SaladMacaroni salad is one of those salads that you have all year round. Barbecues in the Summer, football parties in the winter and any occasion that involves a deli hero.  This macaroni salad is very creamy and loaded with flavor.

 

Instructions
1 Lb Elbow Macaroni
1 Cup Bell Pepper – Chopped fine (any color)
1 Cup Celery – Chopped fine
¼ Cup Onion – Chopped fine
2 TBSP Cider Vinegar
1 TBSP Deli Style Mustard
3 TBSP Sour Cream
1 ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
1 tsp Sugar
3 tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper

 

 

Instructions
Cook the macaroni following the manufacturers directions.  In a large bowl, add the hot macaroni.  Add 1 tsp salt and the vinegar to the elbows and stir.  Add the celery, bell pepper, onion, 2 tsp salt, pepper and the sugar to the bowl and mix to combine all ingredients.  Add the sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard.  Stir well, making sure all the macaroni is completely coated.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Stir again before serving.

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