.pizza + homemade dough.

Ok, so while I have been a major slacker in the blog world I have still been cooking it up at home. We love love pizza and when I saw this pioneer woman post I decided its about time I try to make my own crust and try out some new recipes. This was a lot to tackle in one day but it was for my mom's birthday so it was well worth the extra effort. The crust was much easier than anticipated but does need to be made a few days in advance so some pre-planning is needed. Also, both of these pizza recipes are vegetarian, it was good but next time around I would add some meat. Meat is good. Try it out for yourself and enjoy! Now since I'm lazy and pioneer woman is awesome here are direct links to each recipe.
Eggplant/tomato pizza + dough
Grilled Vegetable Pizza
And a little hint. Add goat cheese to each pizza after it is cooked. I heart cheese.

.shrimp pizza.

We lOVE pizza and it is especially fun when you get to make it yourself by using some of your favorite ingredients. I usually buy ready made pizza dough from trader joe's or fresh and easy. They usually have white, wheat, and some type of garlic herb. I like this dough because it is super fresh and all you need to do is let it sit out for 20 mins or so then make your pizza. Experiment with this recipe by using whatever sauce, meat, and veggies that you like. Below are my favorites, and never forget your glass of wine :) Enjoy!




Ingredients
Pizza dough
Shredded cheese (I like an Italian blend)
Shrimp (I use the frozen like that just needs to be thawed)
Pizza sauce (I used Vodka pasta sauce..yum)
Spinach leaves
Garlic powder (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Italian seasoning (to taste)
1 diced tomato

Preparation
Follow pizza dough directions to prepare dough and preheat oven. Spread out dough on a flat surface and top with your favorite sauce. Top with shrimp, torn spinach leaves, tomatoes, and season with garlic, pepper, and italian seasoning. Then sprinkle on the cheese. Place pizza in oven (preferability on a pizza stone..they are amazing!) and cook according to pizza dough package. Typically 10-12 minutes. Cut up into slices and enjoy!

.mexican pizza. {husband's choice}

Thank you Pinterest for the 100th time. The original recipe can be found here and has amazing step by step pictures.This picture would have looked much better if I added the green onions like the original recipe called for. But of course I was too lazy to go to the store as usual. This recipe was perfect for the hubby because it was designed after his most favoritest meal EVER, Taco Bell's mexican pizza. Honestly, it tastes even better and I know it is much healthier for us both. I have since made this four times. Don't judge. It tasted great with corn tortillas, ground beef, and shredded beef and I'm sure Ill change it up again next time. Try it out for yourself and enjoy!



Ingredients
Whole Wheat or regular Tortillas – 4 tortillas (2 pieces for each pizza)
Canola Oil – very small amount to glaze both sides of the tortilla
Refried Beans – 1 (1 pound) can
Water – 1/4 cup
Onion – 1 small (diced)
Paprika – 1 tsp
Black Pepper – 1/4 tsp (or omit – you don’t really need it)
Ortega Taco Seasoning – 1 tsp
Scallions – 1 bunch (chopped)
Jalapeno – 1/2 a jalapeno (deseeded & finely chopped) -i omited
Tomato – 1 (chopped)
Salsa – enough to spread over the pizza
Mexican Cheese Blend – enough to cover the pizza
Sour Cream Reduced Fat – 1 dollop (optional)

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven at 400 degrees. Line a tray with foil.
2. Place 2 tortillas on a flat surface and lightly glaze/brush both sides of the tortilla with Canola Oil. Place both tortillas on the foil tray.
3. Once the oven preheats, place the tortillas in the oven for 10 minutes – 5 minutes on each side so they crisp up. You can add multiple tortillas if you have room.
4. In the meantime, make the beans. Empty the contents of the refried beans into a small pot. Add a 1/4 cup of water.
Place the pot over a stove on low-heat.
5. In the meantime, chop an onion. Add the onion to the beans. Add the seasonings – paprika, black pepper, and taco seasoning. I don’t think you will need salt. Mix. Wait a couple minutes and once heated thru, turn off the stove.
6. In the meantime, chop the veggies.
7. Check on the tortillas. DON’T TURN OFF THE STOVE. See how they are crispy once baked.
8. Spread a couple dollops of beans over the tortilla. Top off with very little salsa. Spread. Top the salsa with the second piece of tortilla. Spread salsa again – very little.
9. Top with scallions and tomatoes. Add just about 1/2 to 1 tsp of deseeded jalapeno – see how much you can handle.
Top with cheese, make sure you get the sides.
10. Using a flat ladle place the Mexican Tortilla Pizza on the foiled tray. Put into the oven for 12 minutes.
11. Top off with a dollop of Sour Cream (reduced fat) and some Hot Taco Bell Sauce, just cause it's awesome!

.meatball & spinach calzone.

Remember this post. I have been so busy this month and instead of trying new recipes I have decided to change up the old ones. Add meatballs instead of chicken and a brand new meal is born. Enjoy!



Ingredients
1 tube (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
Meatballs, chopped

Preparation
On a lightly floured surface, roll pizza dough into a 14-in. x10-in. rectangle. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, cheese, onion, meatballs and garlic; spoon over dough to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with long side; tucks ends under and pinch seam to seal.

Place seam side down on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400 for 25-27 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into slices.

.portobello pizzas.

I discovered this recipe on rachaelray.com. I love pizza and portobello mushrooms so for me this is the best recipe EVER. I posted her original recipe with makes 6 mushroom pizzas. I usually just make 4 mushrooms and throw the leftover meat over salad. (pictured) I made this for my mom's birthday with chicken sausage from Trader Joe's and it was even better than the sweet italian. Enjoy!



Ingredients
6 large portobello mushroom tops, stems removed and gills scraped
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for liberal drizzling plus 1 tablespoon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Italian sweet sausage
1/2 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup basil leaves, shredded or torn
1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano

Preparation
Pre-heat broiler.
Dress the mushroom caps with liberal drizzle of EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Broil the portobello mushrooms 5 minutes on each side until tender.
While caps are broiling heat 1 tablespoon EVOO in a skillet over medium high heat, add sausage and brown and crumble the meat, then add tomatoes to skillet and cook another few minutes until they burst. Add cream to skillet and reduce 2-3 minutes more. Remove the sausage from heat and fold in basil. Fill mushroom caps and top with cheese, place under broiler to brown 2-3 minutes then quarter caps and serve.

.pizza pizza pizza.

Pizza is my all time favorite food EVER. However, I am so picky that I refused to make the typical pepperoni pizza because I did not want to be disappointed. This recipe was found at allrecipes.com and given to me by my friend Alisha. (Alisha will be mentioned several times, she is one of the best cooks that I know and shares all of her wonderful recipes with me) This recipe was easy, delicious and healthy. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
• 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 unbaked pizza crust
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1 bunch fresh spinach, torn
• 1 sweet onion, sliced
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

1. Preheat oven according to pizza crust package directions.
2. In a small bowl combine butter, olive oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese. Spread mixture evenly on pizza crust.
3. Arrange tomato, spinach, onion and jalapeno on pizza. Top with crumbled feta cheese.
4. Bake according to pizza crust package directions.