Making pizza Grandma's way!

I remember Grandma making her own pizza and so did my Mom made her pizza this way.

 Mom would bake her own pizza dough or they would go to the bakery just down the street and the baker (a personal friend) would give them all the pizza dough they needed.

They would stretch it out to fit their huge deep cookie pan.  I remember it to be so large! That was long ago and I think that's how it seemed to me.

Their sauce was usually made with canned tomatoes(they loved to can) that they would simmer with fresh basil, olive oil , fresh chopped basil and lots of garlic.  No one would come close to us for fear of being knocked over from the smell of garlic.

 9/11/12

Today I decided to try something similar to how she made it.  I used canned diced tomatoes (I should have used petite diced).  Anyway I added all the above ingredients and topped a pre baked personal pan pizza from the grocery store; loaded it with fresh Pecorino Romano cheese and baked it about 10 minutes or so at 400° degrees. Buon Appetit!

No mozzarella in Grandmas pizza!

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

M.J.

Broccoli Cheddar or Chicken Caesar Pizza! Make it your way!!

Ever since my hubby had a Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza he has been driving me crazy to make some.

  I've put it off long enough so today is the day to satisfy our taste buds.  I said OK but  I'd have to please BOTH our taste buds so I am making this pizza half and half.  Half Chicken Caesar and half Broccoli Cheese so we both can be happy!  Enjoy!

Note:  You can easily make this type of pizza with refrigerated pizza dough or your local pizza shop should sell you some of their pizza dough.

 Place dough in pizza pan and pre bake the crust for several minutes or until browned> Remove from oven and add topping.  Put back in oven to melt cheese and it's as easy as  One Two Three! 

6/22/12

His!  Chicken Caesar Pizza

This was mine!  Broccoli Cheese  Yummy!

Bon Appetit!
   

It was really quite easy.

One:   I bought a prebaked rectangular pizza shell to make it easier. I baked it with a little olive oil at 425 until it was golden.  Approx. 10 minutes.  Set aside

Second: I cut up in small pieces two boneless chicken breasts (I used my poultry scissors). I Lightly sprayed a cooking pan and sautéed the pieces that I seasoned with some garlic powder until there wasn't any pink.  I let the chicken breasts cool,

Third: I added 1/3 cup of Light Caesar Dressing and tossed.( You can easily use a store bought chicken and cut some of the chicken into small pieces.

Fourth: In a separate bowl I diced 1 small Roma tomato (I removed seeds)
1/4 to 1/2 cup Romaine lettuce (small pieces)

Fifth: Placed lettuce and tomato into cooled to room temperature seasoned chicken and stir.

After your pizza shell is baked place chicken/tomato/lettuce on top making sure to spoon all with all the salad dressing.  Top with a bit of mozzarella or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and bake in a hot oven until cheese is melted slightly.  I baked it for about 5 to 7 minutes at 450 degrees.

Note:  I made this pizza half the way my hubby likes it and the other half I made Broccoli Cheese.



Here is how I seasoned the broccoli:

You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli.  Cook until tender with slight amount of salt. When cooked, drain and add several tablespoons olive oil and 2 cloves minced garlic.  Toss and top pizza crust.  Add shredded cheese of your choice.  **I used shredded brick cheese.  I like a little more flavor than mozzarella.  You can you any cheese to your liking.. 

Enjoy!






6/22/12

Healthy Meals from my kitchen to yours!

I want to share as many good healthy recipes to help us stay focused on healthy eating and Weight Watchers have been helping people make healthy food choices so my first meal is one that was adapted from one of their cookbooks.

Turkey and veggie pizza
3/12/17

I  know that I want to be healthy but won't deprive myself from indulging now and again.  Life is way to short to totally eliminate sweets and special dishes and meals that we all like.  Obviously eating poorly everyday is NOT a good idea.  

I am checking my cookbooks and adapting recipes hopefully that will be of interest to you.  I will try to incorporate fish or even some seafood into my dishes as well as chicken, turkey or a meatless dish.  I am hoping that appeals to you.  I'd like to trim down a few pounds and quite honestly I am not into serious exercise so it has to be my food choices that will help shed the weight. I do believe in taking a nice brisk walk when the weather permits. 

Have a great day and keep coming back.  I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Healthy Eating!



Mini Tortilla Turkey and Veggie Pizza (Healthy Option #1)

This recipe makes 4

4 whole wheat tortilla's
2/3 cup reduced fat sour cream or( Try some plain Greek yogurt for a substitute)
1/4 cup prepared horseradish  or ( use 2 tsp. dry ranch seasoning mix)
*1 lemon squeezed (eliminate if you are using turkey)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 plum tomatoes(diced) or cut in half cherry tomatoes
1 small red onion sliced thin
1/2 lb. thinly sliced turkey breast (low salt) or *1/2 pound thinly sliced smoked salmon
sprinkle of dried dill weed optional

**If you would like add more veggies to the above.  I am sure peppers, broccoli and or cauliflower small pieces would also be a great add ins.

Spray medium skillet with cooking spray.  Taking one tortilla at a time on medium heat cook until crisp.  Set aside

Combine sour cream, horseradish or (2 tsp. dry ranch mix).  Stir until blended.

Spread mixture over tortilla, top with tomatoes, onion and sliced turkey and sprinkle a little dill if you would like.



original post 11/17/13

The Ultimate White Pizza!

 We call it White Pizza, you may call it stuffed pizza.  This has to be one of our families favorite "oh so good" hometown pizza.

  I think I have mentioned a zillion times there is no place on earth(I know I am very partial) that has the best red, white, broccoli or shrimp pizza as where my hubby and I grew up, Northeastern PA.

   There is a pizza restaurant on almost every corner and some day we plan on hitting each one for a pizza run.  I think it is a challenge that is being put to the test back in our hometown area recently.  Honestly you may move to another area but you can't wait to come to visit because you must hit one of the pizza havens. 

 Honestly it is called the "pizza capital of the world".  I speak the truth.

After

  Check the link below!

If you doubt me Google Old Forge Pizza and it'll confirm it.  Here is the link: 


 Old Forge Style Pizza! I call it the Ultimate White Pizza
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2008/03/old-forge-pennsylvania-the-pizza-capital-of-the-world.html


l-lb. American cheese grated
1/2 lb. Brick cheese grated
1-8 oz. Sargento chef's blend (6 different cheeses)  or 8 oz. of Cooper sharp cheese grated.  
1-pre- baked pizza shell
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 thinly sliced onion
1/4 tsp. crushed rosemary
pinch salt and lots of pepper

In a small container place olive oil, onion, rosemary, pinch of salt and pepper.  Place in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Brick cheese may be hard to find.  Check out the deli dept at your grocery store.  It is sometimes soft so freeze the piece for 15 minutes before grating.

Before being baked

1- pre-baked pizza shell slice across lengthwise

Fill center with cheese. Place top on cheese and spread olive oil mixture on top.  Bake 400 degrees approx. 15 minutes or until you see cheese oozing out the sides...Yum ** Note:  Wait several minutes before slicing.

From my kitchen to yours,

 

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6/15/13

Pepperoni or Plain Pizza Bake

Tuesdaynight quickie meal....Salad and this easy pizza recipe using Grands Biscuits...They pull apart or you can let it set for a few minutes and slice.  Yummy fast and kids will love it!  Pepperoni was called for in the recipe but we don't care for it so feel free to add pepperoni slices and other topping too!  Allow extra time for added toppings!

 

1 can Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits, 1 can pizza sauce, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or cheese of choice. **Pepperoni slices optional.

 Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces; toss with pizza sauce and 1 cup of the cheese.

 Spread in sprayed 13x9 in glass baking dish. Top with pepperoni if desired and remainder of cheese.

Bake 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. When using extra toppings allow for extra time. Happy Cooking!

My Mother's Pizza! Short Cut Recpe!!

Mom and Grandma never made pizza with mozzarella cheese.  They made it with 100% Italian Pecorino Cheese that they would buy, a huge piece, from an Italian market in the area.  The tomatoes were always fresh or canned (they did their own canning).  I have never gotten into canning so you probably won't see a blog post on canning.  It's just not my thing at the moment!  I won't say never but I'm pretty sure I not going to can anything.

The next thing was fresh tomatoes, chopped or diced and simmered on the stove with spices which were I'm pretty sure garlic, onions, salt, pepper and basil and of course a splash of olive oil. *Cook tomato mixture until the juice slightly reduces. *

Today I'm making a version of their pizza but supplementing diced canned tomatoes(I love Hunt's) and a pre baked Italian shell from my trip back home to the Italian market.  I am using 100% Pecorino cheese but I bought mine already grated.  They used to grate theirs fresh each time they used it.  No storing for later like most of us do today.

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

         M.J.

Here's how I made the sauce (my guess) I never watched them make it..boo

Ingredients for 1 rectangular pizza shell

1-15 oz. can Hunts petite diced tomatoes
pinch or two Italian seasoning(optional)
freshly chopped basil if available (dried is fine)
pinch salt and pepper
pinch garlic powder (I know they used fresh minced garlic)
two pinches onion powder
pinch sugar
1 to 2 T olive oil
Lots of Pecorino Romano cheese

Place above ingredients in a small saucepan with 1 T olive oil.  Simmer slowly for approx. 45 minutes until tomatoes start to reduce.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place seasoned cooked tomatoes on pizza shell going as close to edge as possible.  Top with handfuls (2 approx.)  maybe 3 grated Italian Pecorino Romano cheese.  The more cheese you use the more flavor!!! Bake approx. 10 to 15 minutes.

10/15/12

Making a quick pizza: Blue Cheese, Carmelized onion and more!

I had seen a recipe similar to this one some time ago and thought it would be a little too much work so I adapted it to my liking.  Here it is along with some pictures. .Feel free to add whatever else might appeal to you  .Love making quick pizza's and you don't have to leave the house if you think ahead at the grocery store and have a few Pillsbury pizza crusts handy in the frig...Enjoy!!!   Happy Baking and Cooking!

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust (or other refrigerated pizza crust)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 medium onions sliced thin
1 tsp. dried basil
1tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 or two plum tomatoes seeded
1/2 shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons Pecorino Romano grated cheese
2 tablespoons Blue Cheese
1/4 kalamada olives or any black olives
1/4 cup fresh chopped spinach
mild or hot pepper rings(optional)  I did add them!!

Saute onion in butter/brown sugar mix until onions are tender.Add chopped spinach   Set aside.  In a round lightly greased (Pam)pizza pan place pizza dough covering bottom and slightly up sides..Dough easily presses to pan.. Sprinkle dough with garlic powder, oregano and basil..Bake 5 minutes at 425 degrees..Take out of oven..Arrange onion/ spinach  mixture over crust..Add tomatoes, pepper rings..Top with cheeses and olives.   Bake 425 degrees 8 to 10 minutes until slightly browned.. Note:  We loved it!  Quick and easy!! 


10/30/11

Easy Greek Pizza for the Mediterranean Style pizza lovers!

I love pizza and Greek Style pizza is a favorite of mine so I decided to try making one for us.

 Hubby likes Margarita pizza and that's usually what I make most of the time but today I tried to duplicate a Greek pizza.   Here's my version...If you like cheese, tomatoes,onions, olives, and spinach  this is a great pizza.  Try it!!.***Lighter version use light cheese.

Here goes:  I used my regular size pizza pan and lightly sprayed it with cooking oil.    I have used **Rhoades frozen bread dough and followed their instructions. Rhoades bread dough is fantastic and it takes a little more preparation for the light airy dough.  I follow the instructions for *pizza  dough according to directions.

For a quicker pizza  I use  Pillsbury refrigerated dough too.  It's an easy way to make a pizza crust and the difference being the crust is not as light as the Rhoades dough but still really good. It's a little sweeter dough.

  If I use Pillsbury dough  I pre bake about 10 minutes, take out of oven and layer mozzarella,cooked spinach etc.  (I usually make this pizza when I have seasoned spinach.  It gives the pizza a little more flavor.  I top the crust mozzarella, spinach, onion , black olives and sliced tomatoes for the last topping.  Garnish with a little oo and dried basil and crumbled feta..

I'm hoping my instructions were easy to follow.  I try not to get to wordy and I hope this recipe was easy to understand.  It is really an easy pizza and I believe in trying it once and you'll be fine.  Pizza is healthy and a satisfying food choice.

Happy Pizza Making,

M.J.

Ingredients:
1 pizza shell *(note above)*(Rhoades frozen dough or Pillsbury refrigerated)
1 thinly sliced fresh tomato
*chopped sweet  or red onion (I used sweet onion)(*I saute my spinach with onion before using.) I think it is better than raw onion for this pizza. 
sliced black olives
shredded mozzarella
*cooked spinach (seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper and *onions)
crumbled feta
drizzle olive oil
dash salt and pepper

Follow instructions on dough package.  *The frozen dough will have to be allowed to rise.  Allow extra time.

Steps to pizza:   On prepared crust, first  sprinkle shredded mozzarella, then sauteed spinach, onions mixed together, sliced olives, sliced tomatoes  and crumbled feta.  Sprinkle with pinch salt, pepper and a little dried basil if desired. .Note:  Refer to photo above and duplicate look.   Bake 400 degrees until mozzarella has melted and tomatoes start to brown slightly...Depending on what dough recipe you use.  I usually bake my pizza in a hot oven (400) anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. ***Note:  Be careful on Pillsbury refrigerated dough..It may bake quicker...