Pizza – COLLECTION

There are as many ways to make pizza as there are ways to make a casserole. Here are some that I enjoy:

A collection: soon to be decanted
– These will be broken apart into separate links

General Information

Tips and Tricks
– Some info to make your life easier

Tips and Tricks
– Pizza wisdom from Grandpa

Tips and Tricks
– from Southern Living magazine

Basic Pizza Dough
– from Grande Pizza

Sauce Recipes

Easy Pizza Sauce
– includes a simple pizza recipe as well

Basic Red Sauce
– takes about 30 minutes to prepare

Oven-Dried Tomato Sauce
– an easy alternative to sun-dried tomatoes

Traditional Pizzas

Domino’s Pacific Veggie Pizza
– one of my new favorites

Basic Pizza 1
– one of Grandpa’s recipes

Cooking for 1-1/2
– targeted for one of my books

Pizzetta – Mini Pizzas
– Great for kids and parties

Biscuit Dough Pizza Pie
– Great for kids and parties

Scratch Pizza
– for the truly adventurous

Sicilian Pizza
– adapted from America’s Test Kitchen

St Louis Pizza
– from Everyday Foods

Margherita Pizza
– just an overview at this point

Quick EZ Pizza
– from Diabetes Forecast magazine

The Ultimate Cheese Pizza
– from some third party source

Unusual Approaches to Pizza

Pizza Pot Pie
– adapted from Chicago Pizza and Grinder Company

Puff Pastry Pizza
– based on something I saw on TV

Cast Iron Pizza
– based on something I saw on TV

White Pizza
– based on something I saw on TV

Green Tomato Pizza
– created when my tomatoes did not ripen

Mozzarella Border Pizza
– good for sauce dippers

Four Breakfast Pizzas
– Eggs and Pizza

No-Wheat Classic Pizza
– Good for gluten allergies

Potato, Mozzarella and Spinach Pizza
– A recipe from the Iona Abbey. (protected)

Really Fricking Bizarre

Grilled Pizza Salad
– Make at your own risk

Pizza Scraps Frittata
– Created with my leftover pizza

Mexican Pizza
– an American South-of-the-Border Recipe

Tlayuda – Mexican Pizza
– a bit more authentic than the above recipe

Sour Cream Pizza
– quick, easy and very unusual

Pizza Balls
– good for involving the kids

Cauliflower Crust Pizza
– a healthier alternative – IS THIS A DUPE?

Slumber Party Personal Pinwheels
– good for lots of little hands

Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
– another kid-friendly recipe

Pizza Bread
– essentially Monkey Bread with pizza sauce

Pizza Dip
– a sophisticated departure from pizza pie

Skillet Pizza
– basic cast iron pizza

Chicago Deep Dish Skillet Pizza
– good approximation of the original

Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizza
– don’t let a gluten allergy slow you down

St. Louis Shortbread Pizza
– a pizza with a biscuit-like crust

Puff Pastry Pizza
– simple and kind of fun to make

Pizza Creations
– let your imagination run wild

Bacon and Egg Breakfast Pizza
– pizza: it’s not just for dinner

Another Breakfast Pizza
– inspired by Scramble Restaurant in Phoenix

Grilled Pineapple Dessert Pizza
– pizza is not just for dinner

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Ingredients

  • 1 onion – diced and sauteed in EVOO
  • Garlic – minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1.5 C water or chicken broth
  • Lasagna noodles – cooked
  • 1 LB Ricotta cheese
  • 3 eggs
  • handful of minced scallions
  • Grated Parmesan and Swiss cheese
  • salt, pepper, parsley (chopped)
  • dash of grated nutmeg
  • Spinach – cooked or sauteed

Step by Step

  1. Prepare Ricotta Mixture
    – ricotta, 3 eggs, salt, pepper, scallion, parsley, nutmeg – mix well
  2. Prepare Sauce
    – Mix onion, garlic tomatoes, water or broth – simmer 8 minutes
  3. In a baking dish put 1/2 C sauce in the bottom
  4. Add a layer of pasta sheets to cover the sauce
  5. 1/2 of ricotta mixture
  6. pasta sheets to cover
  7. 1/2 C sauce
  8. layer of spinach
  9. pasta sheets to cover
  10. remaining ricotta mixture
  11. pasta sheets to cover
  12. remaining red sauce
  13. grated Parmesan and Swiss cheese
  14. Cover baking dish with foil
  15. Bake 400º for 45 minutes
  16. Remove foil
  17. Bake an additional 15 minutes
  18. rest 5-10 minutes before cutting

Sicilian Pizza

This recipe was adapted from America’s Test Kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Dough, mozzarella cheese, sauce, Pecorino/Romano, and EVOO
    DOUGH
  • 2 tsp yeast
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2  C high gluten flour or bread flour
  • 2 C semolina flour
  • 3 TBL EVOO
  • 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 C ice water
  • 2 tsp salt – at the very end
    CHEESES
  • 12 oz whole milk Mozzarella.  Don’t use skim or it will turn out rubbery.
  • Pecorino/Romano cheese or grated Parmesan/Regiano – Use ACTUAL block of cheese, not pre-grated
    SAUCE
  • 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 tsp ground oregano
  • 1 pkg crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 TBL granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 TBL EVOO
  • 6 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 TBL tomato paste

Step by Step

  1. Mix yeast, sugar and 1/4 C very warm water (102-105º) and set aside.
  2. Prepare ice water ( 1 C cold water and 3 ice cubes)
  3. Mix together salt, flour and semolina in a food processor or mixing bowl
  4. Mix EVOO into the flour mixture
  5. While mixer is on low, pour in yeast mixture
  6. Immediately pour in the ice water – drizzle it in until the dough starts to come together – discard any extra water
  7. Let continue to mix for about 3 more minutes
  8. Cover and let dough rest for 10 minutes
  9. Add salt and then run on medium for 8-10 more minutes
  10. Finish kneading by hand on a floured surface, creating a tight ball
  11. Place in oiled bowl, turning to cover all sides, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.  This will allow the flavors to fully develop.  It makes a big difference… really.
    SAUCE
  12. The sauce can be made the same day as the dough, or the next day.  I usually do it on the same day.
  13. Open canned tomatoes and crush into mixing bowl
  14. Add oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar and salt and mix well – set aside
  15. Heat EVOO in a skillet and add your minced garlic
  16. Heat for 2 minutes, then add tomato paste
  17. Heat for 3 minutes, then add your crushed tomato mixture
  18. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until it thickens
  19. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate until it is time to create your pizza
    CREATING YOUR PIZZA
  20. Pour 1/4 C EVOO onto a 1/2 sheet baking sheet and spread around
  21. Flour your cleaned kitchen counter
  22. Spread by hand to about 9×12 rectangle
  23. Finish with a rolling pin, and roll it out to 13×18 inches
  24. Fold into thirds and transfer to the baking sheet
  25. Work into the corners then spray with cooking oil and cover with plastic
  26. Place a second baking sheet on top of the dough to keep the bubbles to a minimum
  27. Let relax and rise for about 60 minutes
  28. While it rises, preheat the oven to 500º with a baking stone 2 levels above where the pizza will cook
  29. Remove the top pan and plastic, then reshape the pizza into the corners.  The dough should be more relaxed now and should reshape easily.
  30. Put a layer of sauce on top of the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border
  31. Sprinkle shredded Parm/Reg cheese on top of the sauce
  32. Sprinkle mozzarella on top of the Parm/Reg
  33. Add one or two optional toppings, but no more than that
  34. Put into the hot oven and cook for two minutes
  35. Turn oven down to 450º and cook for 10 more minutes
  36. Rotate pizza pan and cook for 10 more minutes
  37. Turn oven off and cook for five more minutes
  38. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-5 minutes
  39. Remove from baking sheet and place onto a cutting board
  40. Cut into 12 square pieces

Spanikopita

It is actually quite time consuming to make your own phylo dough, so don’t hesitate to buy it frozen in the store.  Make sure the phylo is NOT crumbly.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 box phylo dough
    SPINACH MIXTURE
  • feta cheese – made with sheep or goat milk NOT cow milk
    buy a block and crumble it
  • Mix in a sweet onion sliced just as thinly as possible
  • Mix with EVOO, mushrooms, chives, zucchini, basil, parm cheese
  • Fresh spinach – NOT frozen

STEP BY STEP

  1. De stem FRESH spinach and give it a rough chop
  2. Mix in with everything else
  3. In a heavily greased cake pan lay down about ten sheets of phylo dough
  4. Divide your spinach mixture into fourths
  5. Spread 1/4 of your mixture onto the phylo
  6. Add 3-5 sheets of dough and another 1/4 spinach
  7. Repeat two more times until your spinach is all used up
  8. Finish with about 8 sheets of phylo dough on the top
  9. Butter the top heavily and tuck in the edges
  10. Bake it at 350º for an hour
  11. Let it cool a bit (or it will fall apart) and then loosen up the edges and the bottom
  12. Invert it onto a baking sheet and remove the cake pan
    – The bottom will become the top
  13. Cut it into half, and then into triangles

Serve with a village salad of tomato, zucchini, black olives, cucumber slices, oregano and lemon all tossed in a bit of EVOO

 

Pizza Pot Pie

This is my own recipe that was created based on a video showing a Pizza Pot Pie as created by Chicago Pizza and Grinder Company at 2121 N Clark Street.  Allowances have been made for my own tastes.

INGREDIENTS

  • Use a ceramic bowl with little (or no) lip
  • 1/2 C clarified butter

SECRET SAUCE

  • You can make whatever sauce tickles your fancy. Chicago Pizza uses a sauce with onions, peppers, garlic, sausage, tomatoes and more that simmers for eight hours.  Truly a sauce worth tasting.
  • Here are several of my own sauces.
  • Grandpa’s Bolognese
  • Basic Marinara

Here is another recipe that I found when I was researching this recipe.  It looked really good too.

STEP BY STEP

  1. Brush the bowl and the rim heavily with melted clarified butter
  2. Lay down layered slices of Provalone, Mozzarella and Manchego cheese
  3. Put in three of your favorite toppings:
    – mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage, black olives, etc.
    – Just three though, because otherwise it will become too soupy
  4. Top with your favorite sauce
  5. Cover with flattened pizza dough
  6. Brush clarified butter across the top
  7. Bake at 450º for 12-15 minutes
  8. Run a spoon around the rim to loosen the crust
  9. Invert and flip out on your serving plate

Here is a fairly complete step by step video made by Courtney Budyzn

 

Cast Iron Pizza

Get a large ball of pizza dough from your favorite pizza place.  About $5.  Yes Grandpa takes shortcuts some of the time.

  • 3 TBL butter
  • 1/2 C onion
  • Fontina cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Marinara pizza sauce
  • 2-3 types of mushrooms
  1. Roll pizza dough into COLD cast iron pan.
  2. Make sure dough is kind of up on the side of the cast iron skillet to hold ingredients in.
  3. Idea:  Cut thin logs of mozzarella and roll up into the crust for dipping.
  4. Lay mozzarella cheese as first ingredient
  5. Add onion and mushrooms
  6. Tops with a few spots of marinara (not too much)
  7. Put some tabs of butter and fontina cheese on top
  8. Optional:  Pepperoni or sausage
  9. Bake at 550º for 14-16 minutes.

Mozzarella Bordered Pizza

This is a pizza similar to the one served at Pequod’s Pizza in Chicago.

INGREDIENTS

  • Lots of slices of mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 C EVOO
  • Lots of salt and pepper – about 1 TBL each
    PIZZA DOUGH
  • 3 C Flour
  • 2 TBL yeast
  • 1/4 C very warm (not hot) water
  • 1 TBL sugar
  • 1 TBL EVOO
    TOPPINGS
  • San Marzano whole tomatoes (crushed)
  • Pecorino / Romano cheese
  • Oregano
  • Toasted garlic

STEP BY STEP

  1. Mix together yeast, warm water and sugar
  2. Let proof while you prepare all the other ingredients
  3. Pulse together the flour and the yeast mixture and the EVOO
  4. Drizzle ice cold water into the (running) food processor until the dough starts to ball up
  5. Remove to finish on floured surface – knead until it is springy and responsive
  6. Preheat your oven to at least 500º but 600º if you have that capability
  7. Set aside in a slightly warm space to rise for 30-45 minutes
  8. Warm cast iron skillet to about 200º
  9. Pour in EVOO, salt and pepper – brush bottom and sides with oil
  10. Turn out dough onto skillet and flatten it (roughly) by hand, but not quite to the edge/side of the pan
  11. Lay mozzarella cheese between the sides and the dough – all the way around
  12. Keep laying until the whole thing is covered from edge to center to edge
  13. Crush your tomatoes all across the cheese
  14. Add your romano, and other toppings
  15. Put into your super-hot oven for 16-24 minutes
  16. Serve in nice thick crunchy slices.

Mexican Pizza

This is a Blue Corn Chicken Enchilada similar to the one served at the Rooftop Pizzeria in Santa Fe, NM.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 C cornmeal
  • 1 C High Gluten Flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 TBL EVOO
  • ice cold water
    TOPPINGS to taste
  • Alfredo sauce
  • Shredded chicken
  • Asadero cheese
  • Green chilies
  • Cotija cheese
  • 1/2 onion – sliced thin

STEP BY STEP

  1. Pulse all dry ingredients in food processor
  2. With the food processor running, drizzle in EVOO
  3. While running, drizzle the the ice water until the dough starts to ball up
  4. Sprinkle cornmeal on the counter
  5. Take dough ball out of food processor and knead it by hand until it starts to become more elastic
  6. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter for ten minutes
  7. Roll out on an upside down cast iron skillet
  8. Bake 10 minutes at 350º
  9. Meanwhile, prepare your toppings
  10. Remove the pizza base and set on counter
  11. Turn up oven to 500º
  12. Put an Alfredo base on the pizza, then the other toppings
  13. Put back into the hot oven for 5-8 minutes
  14. Cut with pizza cutter and slide onto plates to serve

Tlayuda – Mexican Pizza

mex-pizzDOUGH

  • 2 C Masa Harina (corn flour)
  • Salt
  • water – approx 1-1/2 C – drizzle into running food processor until it starts to pull together
    (SHORTCUT: Use large soft yellow or white corn tortillas)
    (WORSE SHORTCUT: Use a large flour tortilla.  This is a quesadilla!)

STEP BY STEP

  1. Put the masa and salt into your food processor
  2. Have a measuring cup with 2 C water – YOU WILL NOT use it all.
  3. In a food processor, put the masa, salt and 1 C water
  4. Start the food processor and drizzle more water in a bit at a time, till it starts to pull together.
  5. Take it out and finish it on the counter
  6. Cut in half, and form two large balls, about the size of a softball, and press it kind of flat
  7. Cover with plastic, and let it rest 5 minutes
  8. Put onto a parchment paper, flatten a bit more
  9. Put a second parchment paper on top
  10. Roll it even flatter
  11. Put into a hot lightly oiled cast iron skillet
  12. 3-5 minutes, then flip
  13. Cook other side 3-5 minutes
  14. It should have blacked spots on both sides
  15. Set aside on baking sheet
  16. Repeat 8 through 15 for the other ball of masa

TOPPINGS

  • Refried Beans as a base
  • Cheeses
    • Many grocery stores offer a shredded Mexican blend of cheeses.  This is your safest best
    • Other good choices – Asiago, Havarti, Mozzarella, Provolone, Queso Oaxaca, Queso Asadero ( aka Queso Quesadilla), Panela, Manchego, Queso Chihuahua
    • In a pinch, use a blend of Cheddar, Monterrey Jack & Mozzarella – or just  Cheddar and Monterrey Jack
    • Bad choices: These cheeses do not melt well, and probably are not as good for this application – Queso Fresco, Queso Anejo (Aged Fresco), Cotijo, Parmesan
  • Meat:  Chorizo, chicken, fish, carne, bacon, or carnitas – Cooked
  • Avocado
  • Fresh tomato
  • Sun dried tomato
  • Bell pepper
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Mexican Crema
  • Corn
  • Mushrooms
  • Black beans
  • Black olives
  • Crumbled Queso Fresco

Frittata – New Life for Old Food

A frittata is just a fancy way to say casserole.  You can really put just about anything in your frittata.  Here is something that I made that turned out very well.

INGREDIENTS

  • Left-over breakfast ham
  • Left-over French Fries
  • Left-over peas
  • 1/4 C left-over cottage cheese
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 C milk
  • Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • Basil leaves
  • 1/4 C frozen/thawed spinach

STEP BY STEP

  1. Oil your eight inch cast iron skillet or individual ramekins
  2. Heat your meat and your french fries (both cut up) in a skillet
  3. Pour into mixing bowl with peas, milk, eggs and shredded cheese
  4. Move to ramekins and bake in oven at 350º for about 15-20 minutes

Zucchini Frittata

Think of this recipe as a general idea and improvise. Use cooked greens like spinach and chard instead of all or part of the potato. Or before cooking the vegetables, saute several slices of good bacon or pancetta in the skillet until barely browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Discard the fat in the pan and proceed with the rest of the recipe. Add the bacon to the egg mixture before pouring it over the potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

  • Zucchini (cubed fairly small)
  • 2 Roma Tomato (pieces)
  • 1 TBL olive oil
  • 1 sm onion (diced)
  • ½ TBL thyme
  • scant salt & pepper
  • 3 eggs – beaten
  • 2 TBL whole milk or yogurt
  • 1/3 C shredded cheese

STEP BY STEP

  1. Place zucchini, onion, thyme, salt& pepper in an oven safe skillet with EVOO
  2. Saute in olive oil till tender – 8-10 minutes
  3. Cook uncovered till most liquid evaporates
  4. Add 3 mixed eggs, 2 tbl whole milk or yogurt.
  5. Turn heat to med low and add eggs to pan
  6. Lift zucchini just enough to let eggs flow thru.
  7. Add sliced tomatoes and 1/3 cu shredded cheese
  8. Distribute over top, cook on stove top 15 min.
  9. Sprinkle lightly w/more shredded cheese, and bake in over 15 minutes

Optional, cook in tureens

 

Tex Mex Cheese Enchiladas

INGREDIENTS

  • Tex Mex Chili Sauce (see recipe below)
  • 1/4 C Shredded cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 C Monterrey Jack cheese
  • Corn tortillas
  • 1/2 Vadalia or other sweet onion

Text Mex Chili Sauce

  • 2 TBL AP flour
  • 2 TBL butter
  • 1 TBL ground cumin
  • 1 TBL ground Ancho chili
  • Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste (just a tiny bit)
  • 2 C chicken stock
  1. Heat flour and butter together until it starts to brown
  2. Add cumin, chili, salt, pepper and garlic
  3. Stir for two minutes
  4. Whisk in 2 C chicken stock a little bit at a time
  5. Stir until smooth, then add more stock – REPEAT
  6. Cook until thickened

STEP BY STEP for Cheese Enchiladas

  1. Mix together your cheeses
  2. Put chili sauce on the bottom of a glass baking dish
  3. Heat your corn tortilla 10 seconds in the microwave
  4. Wrap 2 TBL cheese and 1 TBL chopped sweet onions in a corn tortilla
  5. Place it seam side down
  6. Repeat Steps 3-5 until your pan is full
  7. Put more sauce on top
  8. Top with cheese
  9. Bake for about 14 minutes at 350º
  10. Top with more chopped onion
  11. Bake for another 5 minutes
  12. Serve bubbling and hot

 

Chicken Pot Pie – COLLECTION

Tips and Tricks

  • Use leftover shredded chicken (thighs are best)
  • Use frozen vegetables
  • Dice and saute onions and celery
  • Make your own roux, not Cream of XYZ
    • 2 TBL butter, 2 TBL flour, 1 C chicken stock or milk
  • Create a lid with puff pastry – Dock the crust – Alternate, cut moons or shapes
  • Bake before filling at 350º for 5 minutes

Basic Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe is much like the one shown below. You may use my ingredients, but be sure to watch the video for some important tips.
2016-04-06 13.34.31Ingredients – Filling

  • 4 TBL butter
  • 1/4 C AP flour
  • 1-1/2 C chicken broth
    (or 1 can Campbells Cream of Potato Soup instead of above three ingredients)
    IN A SEPARATE MIXING BOWL, COMBINE
  • 1 small carrot – diced small
  • 1/2 C baby peas
  • 1 small stalk celery – diced small
    (or 1 C mixed veggies instead of above three ingredients – Skip to Step 7)
  • 1 C shredded chicken
  • 1/2 C shredded cheese
  • 4-6 black olives – diced – Optional

Ingredients – Crust

  • 1 C AP flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 C shortening
  • 3 TBL cold butter
  • 2 TBL granulated sugar
  • 1/4 C ice water
    (or prepared pie crust from the grocery store)

You will also need one egg yolk and one egg white (separated) in two separate bowls.
A pastry brush will be helpful, but you can use your fingers at the pastry brush step.
2016-04-06 14.05.16Step by Step

  1. Bring sauce pan up to medium heat
    FILLING – – – –
  2. Add butter to hot pan
  3. As soon as butter is melted, add flour
  4. As soon as flour starts to ball, add half your broth
  5. Stir until it starts to turn smooth
  6. Add the rest of your broth
  7. Stir until it starts to thicken
  8. When it has thickened (per video below) add it to the mixing bowl with your chopped veggies
    CRUST
  9. Pulse flour, salt, baking powder, shortening and butter in a food processor till combined
  10. Add 1/4 C ice water all at once and pulse until a ball forms
  11. Dump onto the counter to finish kneading
  12. Separate into 4 pieces and let rest five minutes
  13. Meanwhile, spoon your filling into ramekins for cooking
  14. Roll out your crust to a near circle.  If necessary, cut slightly bigger than diameter across top of ramekin.
    NOTE: My cutter was the exact size of my ramekin top, so I cut it, then rolled it more to make it slightly larger
  15. Brush the bottom with egg white and press into your pot pie filling, pressing around the edge
  16. Brush the top with egg yolk
  17. Poke holes in the top so that steam can escape, otherwise your pie crust will fail.
  18. Bake at 350º for 35 minutes until browned
  19. Let rest five minutes before serving, or cool on counter and refrigerate for reheating later.

 



Scratch Chicken Pot Pie

1 C chopped onion (1/4 inch pieces)

1 C chopped celery (1/4 inch pieces)
1 C chopped carrot (1/4 inch pieces)
1/2 C melted butter
1 C frozen tiny English peas (canned peas, in a pinch)
1/4 C AP flour
2 C chicken broth
1 C whole milk
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 C diced cooked chicken
2 pkg. frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg yolk
1 TBL whole milk

1. Saute onion, celery and carrot in butter for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in peas and flour, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
3. Gradually add broth and 1 cup whole milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly.
4. Stir in salt and pepper.
5. Add chicken, stirring well.
6. Ladle chicken mixture into cooking ramikins – just to the top
7. Set aside.
8. Roll pastry sheets to 1/8 inch thickness.
9. Cut pastry 1/2 inch larger than bowl(s).
10. Combine egg yolk and 1 tablespoon milk.
11. Brush one side of pastry. Place brushed side down over bowl(s), folding edges under and pressing firmly to sides of bowl.
12. Brush top with remaining egg mixture.
13. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes until top is puffed and browned.



Chicken Pot Pie – From a whole chicken

Piece an entire chicken.
Use dark meat (legs and thighs) or light meat (breast and back)
Place into stock pot with cut up carrots, celery, onion and garlic
Pour one can of chicken stock into pot, then add water until it covers the chicken
Bring up to simmer over medium high heat
When it starts to simmer, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes
Strain out solids, retaining liquid
Set both aside to cool

To prepare dough:
(Bisquick or Puff Pastry is also acceptable)
Add to a food processor:
– 1 1/2 C flour
– pinch of salt
– 1 stick of cold butter – cubed
– 8 ounces of cold cream cheese – pieces
Pulse together until it forms crumbs
– Add 1 egg yolk
– Drizzle in water until it STARTS to come together
Remove from food processor and finish on a floured surface (the counter)
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour to 24 hours

To prepare vegetables:
Cut butternut or acorn squash into 1/2 inch cubes
Cut 1/4 onion into pieces
Cut 1/2 stalk celery into 1/4 inch pieces
Cut carrots into 1/4 inch pieces
Toss in EVOO and salt and bake on baking sheet for 30 minutes at 350 degrees

Cut string beans into 1/2 inch pieces
Add a small can of peas (or fresh if you desire)

To finish up:
Set dough on counter to start to come up to room temperature
Shred or cube chicken
Make a roux (see recipe here) with the leftover strained chicken stock – be sure to stir constantly
Mix chicken, fresh veggies and cooked veggies together
Roux should be thickened, but not pasty or lumpy
– If necessary, thin by whisking in 1/2 C chicken stock

Flatten dough to about 1/4 inch
Fill ramekin with veggie mixture
Label roux over top of veggies about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up
Top with dough, brush with melted butter and trim edges
Poke holes (or a smiley face) into top of crust to let steam vent
Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes

Third Party Recipes


The information below this section is from a third party. It is part of Grandpa's Personal Recipe box. Feel free to browse, but know that this information is from someone else.

Clipped from People Magazine



Easy Chicken Pot Pie

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 PKG (about 8 OZ) frozen vegetables
1 CU cubed or shredded cooked chicken or turkey
1/2 CU milk (or less)
1 egg
1 CU Bisquick
1 prepared pie plate

Instructions
1. Mix soup, vegetables and chicken in bowl, then pour into 9″ pie plate
2. Mix milk, egg and Bisquick (very thick) and spread over chicken mixture
3. Bake @ 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden

Special Steps
Variations If you are feeling energetic, cut your own vegetables: onion, broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, green beans, Anaheim chilies



Third Party Recipe



Chicken Pot Pie – VIDEO – W Puck



Chicken Pot Pie – VIDEO – Tasty

Video Library – Tasty.



image


Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potato

  1. Start out just as if you were making a twice-baked potato.
  2. Scrub four russet potatoes (high starch – good for baking)
  3. Poke a few holes in the top of the potato to let the steam escape.
  4. Bake the potato for about 40 minutes at 400º
  5. Cut the top off the potato
  6. Scoop out the meat of the potato, being careful not to poke through the skin.
  7. To the meat of the potato, add –
  8. 2 TBL butter
  9. 1/2 tsp salt
  10. 1/2 C lowfat buttermilk
  11. Mash until smooth.  Use a mixer if you must – it needs to be smooth, not lumpy
  12. In a skillet, brown 8 oz 85/15 ground beef
  13. Drain the excess oil
  14. Add  –
  15. 1/2 onion – diced
  16. 1 TBL butter
  17. 1 TBL olive oil
  18. 3/4 tsp white pepper
  19. 1 tsp salt
  20. 2 TBL flour
  21. 1 tsp corn starch
  22. 1 C beef broth
  23. 2 tsp Worcestershire
  24. 1-1/2 C frozen chopped vegetables
  25. Simmer until sauce thickens
  26. Fill potato boats
  27. Pipe smooth white potato mixture over the top
  28. Use a fork to create patterns on top
  29. Bake at 350º for about 15-20 minutes or until singed brown
  30. This can be prepared 24 hours in advance, and refrigerated
  31. Increase cooking time by five minutes – or until singed brown

View YouTube Video on which this recipe was based.

Jambalaya

Basically you can just say that Jambalaya is kind of like a casserole.  It’s a concept, rather than a dish.  Here is an easy step by step, but if you want to go with tradition, click on the images to the right:

  • Raw meat (chicken, sausage, shrimp, pork, beef, fish, etc)
  • Lots of minced garlic (to taste)
  • One green bell pepper – diced
  • One onion – sliced thin
  • One celery – chopped
  • One can crushed tomatoes
  • 1-2 C chicken stock
  1. Brown the meat in EVOO
  2. Cook the above together for about an hour
  3. Stir occasionally
  4. Spill some of your beer and Tabasco sauce in there occasionally
  5. Put some rice and beans in during the last half hour

Browse the recipe to the right for a few other ideas and ingredients.

 

Breakfast Enchilada

  1. Scramble an egg in a skillet and then dump onto a plate and set egg aside
  2. In the empty (but not yet cleaned) skillet add 1 TBL butter and 1 TBL flour
  3. Cook until the flour starts to brown
  4. Add 1 tsp paprika
  5. Add 2 TBL chicken broth and stir to incorporate
  6. Add 2 TBL more broth, stir
  7. Add 2 more TBL broth and then stir until it is smooth
  8. Put a corn tortilla on a heat resistant plate or bowl
  9. Top with your egg
  10. Pour sauce on top of the egg
  11. Add shredded cheese
  12. Bake under broiler for 2-3 minutes or until cheese starts to brown
  13. Serve with strong hot coffee

 

Grandpa’s Pizzas and Calzones

Dough #1 – Easy and Tasty, but no adventure

Making your own pizza dough is really not that hard, but if you are not quite ready to tackle making your own, but want that pizzeria-quality dough, call one of your local NON-CHAIN pizzerias. Ask what they would charge for a ball of dough.  It should be somewhere between $3 and $5.

Dough #2 – Pretty Good, and Really Quick

8 hours before making your pizza, combine the following in a glass bowl

  • 1 TBL fresh yeast
  • 1 C water – very warm to the touch, but not hot – About 105-110º
  • 1 TBL sugar

Sift together in a large mixing bowl

  • 4 C flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Create a pile of flour, with an indentation (well) in the middle using 2 C of your flour

  • Pour your yeast mixture into the well, a little at a time, stirring to incorporate
  • Add more flour if necessary to firm up your ball
  • Once it is kind of firm, knead it in the remaining flour spread onto your counter
    Pull it in with your fingers, and push it away with the ball of your hand
  • Knead until it becomes elastic like Buddah’s stomach
  • Pinch, pull together, and form into a smooth ball
  • Let rise in a large lightly oiled bowl for about 1/2 hour
  • For Family Pizza Night, cut off softball sized pieces
    Roll them into small balls and put into glass bowls for about 2-4 hours
  • When you are ready, flatten them into shape as described below.

Dough #3 – Quality taste and an adventure, but overnight

About 24-36 hours before you will be making pizzas, combine the following in a glass bowl.
PLEASE NOTE: NO SUGAR IS USED IN THIS DOUGH RECIPE.

Sift together in a large mixing bowl

  • 4 C flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 TBL fresh yeast

Prepare 1 C water – very warm to the touch, but not hot – About 105-110º
Create a pile of flour, with an indentation (well) in the middle using 2 C of your flour

  • Pour your water into the well, a little at a time, stirring to incorporate
  • Add more flour if necessary to firm up your ball
  • Once it is kind of firm, knead it in the remaining flour spread onto your counter
    Pull it in with your fingers, and push it away with the ball of your hand
  • Knead until it becomes elastic like Buddah’s stomach
  • Pinch, pull together, and form into a smooth ball
  • For Family Pizza Night, cut off softball sized pieces – otherwise, this will make about two 14 inch pizzas
  • Let rise in a large lightly oiled bowl for about 2 hours at room temperature
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 20 hours – and as long as 36 hours
  • When you are ready, flatten the cold dough into shape as described below.
    There is no need to let it come up to room temperature.

How to Handle your Dough

  • Flatten dough ball with your fingers
  • For a pizza, top with red sauce and your favorite ingredients for a great pizza.
    It makes it easier to get into the oven if you flatten your pizza onto parchment paper.
  • For a calzone, fill it half-way with sauce and ingredients for a classic calzone.
    When you fold your calzone in half, you will want to pinch or roll the edge so it doesn’t leak

Some Tips about Cheese

  • Mozzarella cheese is a given.  Buffalo mozzarella is a plus
  • Provalone is an OK substitute for Mozzarella
  • Gruyere has a nice melty stringiness about it
  • Pecorino cheese is another good one to use

Some Tips about Sauce

  • Canned whole Marzano tomatoes – Put through a food mill or use food processor
  • If you have typical store bought tomatoes, halve or quarter them, drizzle them with EVOO and a bit of salt, then bake them at 400º for an hour.  THEN run them through a food mill.

Topping Suggestions

  • Slivered garlic
  • Baby spinach leaves
  • Sun dried tomatoes
  • Basil chiffonade
  • EVOO drizzle
  • Black and red pepper

Tips for a Successful Bake

  • Cook on pizza stone for nice crisp crust
  • Preheat up pizza stone to 500º – – – 550º if your oven supports it.
    Use your fingertips to flatten dough to a wide disk

Other Yummy Tips

  • Don’t use too much sauce, or your ingredients will get lost.  If you want, serve with marinara dipping sauce for the crust pieces, but not too much sauce.
  • Don’t overcrowd your pizza with cheese.  Leave some space between cheeses.
  • Use real Parmesan, not the stuff in the green can
  • A few leaves of basil give a good taste to your pizza
  • Dirzzle EVOO onto your pizza before baking.
  • Your pizza will bake in about 6-10 minutes at 500 degrees

 

Basic Calzone Recipe

Make substitutions to taste

  1. Remove Bratwurst or Italian Sausage from their casings and brown in a skillet – Set aside
  2. Saute onion in a bit of EVOO in the same skillet
  3. Add salt, pepper, garlic and green chilies
  4. Cook about 3 minutes, then add tomato sauce
  5. Toss in buffalo mozzarella
  6. Put into rolled pizza dough, fold and seal
  7. Bake at 550º for about fifteen minutes

Consider a rolled cheese edge.

Meatloaf – COLLECTION

Tips and Tricks

CLICK HERE



Grandpa’s Meatloaf

This is actually one of the best meatloaves that I have EVER created. There are loads of cruciferous veggies in it. It is moist, yet holds together for a really meaty taste, plus it’s chucky jammed full of delicious greens. The first six greens are from your Gila Farms produce selection this week.

Grandpa's Green Meatloaf
Grandpa’s Green Meatloaf

1 large handful Mustard Greens
1 handful Kale
1 handful Spinach
1 handful Collard Greens

4 stalks Green Onions (minced)
4 stalks Garlic (minced)

1 lb hamburger
1/4 lb spicy pork or chorizo
1/2 CU uncooked oatmeal
2 eggs
1 large onion (minced)
1/2 carrot (minced)
1/2 stalk celery (minced)
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp Ketchup
Salt and pepper to taste

  1. Steam all greens for 15 minutes
  2. * SQUEEZE as much liquid out from greens as you are able
  3. Mince on cutting board
  4. Mix with all other ingredients except hamburger
  5. Add hamburger and mix just until meat is broken apart
  6. Firmly pack into loaf pan and top with more ketchup or BBQ squce
  7. Sprinkle VERY lightly with brown or white sugar
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-50 minutes (bigger loaves take longer)
  9. Let sit on counter for 10 minutes before cutting.

NOTE: Don’t over-mix the meat, or it becomes mealy.

After your greens are steamed and chopped, wrap in a paper towel, then wrap that in a dark colored cloth (cause it will stain) and S Q U E E Z E absolutely all of the liquid from it. Chop again, and then put into bowl to mix.

Published in Grandpa’s Corner – IRC Volume 1, Issue 5



Great-Grandma’s Meatloaf

This is the recipe that my mother gave to me. It’s the way we’ve done it in the Andrews family for about 60 years. My revisions are in parentheses.

Chop and saute one stalk of celery – set aside
Mix 1 LB Hamburger (or 3/4 LB HB and 1/4 LB Ground Pork)
1/2 cup diced onion
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 beaten eggs
(4 chopped scallions)
(1/4 C grated cheddar cheese)
2 1/2 slices sliced/diced bread (or 2 C raw oatmeal)
1/2 C warm whole milk to make very “wet”
Add cooked celery and a dash of nutmeg
Mix all well, but do not over process
Put into oven at 350 degrees for 2 hours

While it cooks, mix:
1/2 C ketchup
1 TBL flour
1 TBL sugar
Spread on top of meatloaf during last half hour of cooking time



Non Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 CU Prego (or sauce below)
2 LB ground beef
1 ½ CU Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing
1 large onion
2 eggs (beaten)
½ CU shredded mozzarella or Swiss
2 TBL cooked spinach

Instructions

1. Mix all stuff together (keep out 3 TBL sauce and cheese)
2. Shape firmly into cake pan (about one inch thick)
3. Bake at 350 F 1 hour
4. Spoon remaining sauce over meat
5. Sprinkle with cheese
6. Bake additional 5 minutes
7. Let sit 5 minutes before serving

Special Steps

Variations – Add 1 TBL cayenne pepper to the mixture before cooking
– Salt and pepper to taste
– If you use bread crumbs instead of stuffing, add 1 tsp each of oregano, ground cloves, chives, vinegar, and deli mustard
– If you use one 6 oz can tomato paste instead of Prego sauce, add ¼ CU each of water, mushrooms or black olives, and diced tomato; and 2 TBL each of olive oil, garlic and parsley.

 



Mini Meatloaves

You can make a personal meatloaf for each person.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 onion
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 1 TBL EVOO
    GLAZE
  • 1 C ketchup
  • 1/4 C brown sugar
  • 4 tsp apple cider vinegar
    MEAT LOAF
  • 1 C bread crumbs
  • 1/4 C buttermilk
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 1 TBL salt
  • 1 TBL Dijon mustard
  • 1 C sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 LB freshly ground chuck
  • 1/2 LB freshly ground pork
  • 1/2 LB freshly ground veal

STEP BY STEP

  1. Saute onion and celery in EVOO
  2. Mix with everything except meats and glaze
  3. Fold with ground meat – DO NOT OVER MIX
  4. Lightly grease cupcake pans
  5. Pack into cupcake pan and brush with glaze
  6. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes
  7. Let cool at least 5 minutes before trying to remove

 



Easy Peasy Meatloaf

Crack two eggs and beat well
1 lb each chuck and ground pork
1 1/2 cups Quaker ORIGINAL ( not instant ) Oatmeal
One 16 ounce can diced tomatoes
One packet French onion mushroom soup/dip mix
(OR 1 can Campbell’s tomato soup and 1/2 cup additional oats)
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

REWRITE THESE

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Break up the beef and drop loosely in a large bowl. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the beef.

In a medium bowl, add the tomatoes, soup mix and Parmesan. Mix and mash up any large chunks of tomatoes using a potato masher. Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary (the mix packet contains lots of seasoning, so you probably won’t need to). Add the egg and stir.

Pour all but 1/2 cup of the flavor base (tomato mixture) over the top of the beef. Using your less dominant hand with your fingers spread out like a pitchfork, gently mix and fold everything together, turning the bowl with your free hand, until just combined. Don’t over-mix!

Form the mixture into the shape of a loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet or press gently into a meatloaf pan. Top the loaf with the remaining flavor base. Cook until the internal temperature is 155 degrees F, 50 to 65 minutes. Remove and gently cover with aluminum foil for 10 minutes to allow the ambient heat to bring it to 160 degrees F before slicing and serving.



THIRD PARTY RECIPES – RecipeBox.XYZ

Sunny Anderson’s Nunya Meatloaf


The information below this section is from a third party. It is part of Grandpa's Personal Recipe box. Feel free to browse, but know that this information is from someone else.

Third Party Recipe – CLICK HERE

Jeff Mauro’s Crackin’ Meatloaf

Ingredients

Meatloaf:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small Spanish onion, cut into small dice
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
2 large eggs
1 pound ground chuck
8 ounces ground pork
8 ounces ground veal
1 cup coarsely crushed saltine crackers (about 24)
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
Glaze:
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sriracha sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

For the meatloaf: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the oil and saute the onions until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes without letting the garlic brown. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, mustard, Worcestershire, hot sauce and eggs, then season with salt and pepper. Add the beef, pork and veal along with the crackers, parsley and cooked onion-garlic mixture. Use your hands to mix until everything is evenly combined. Place the meat mixture on the prepared baking sheet and use your hands to gently form into a rustic loaf shape, about 9 inches by 5 inches.

For the glaze: In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and sriracha.

Slather the glaze all over the meatloaf, then bake, basting once halfway through, until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F, about 1 hour. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note: Before baking the whole meatloaf, bake a small tester patty of the mixture to test for seasoning.

Recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro

To view original recipe, CLICK HERE.



Mushroom Crusted Turkey Meatloaf

Mushroom crusted turkey meatloaf

Adapted from the cooking show Family-Style with Chef Jeff

Shiitake, crimini, portabello
Dice and sauté in olive oil, garlic and salt

2 C Sauce . . Basil, celery, onion, lots of garlic, Green chilies, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Salt-and-pepper, Cayenne, chili powder, fresh thyme, dried mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chopped kale

3 pounds lean ground turkey meat
Sauce
Three turkey eggs, or five regular eggs
Stir to incorporate, then add 2 cups breadcrumbs
Hack into pan for cooking, and top with barbecue sauce then chopped mushrooms
Bake at 375° for one hour for small pan, up to 1 1/2 hours for large pan

Quick Fresh Fruit Cobbler

cobblerBefore we begin…

  • Use fruit at the peak of ripeness
  • Peel and slice fruit
  • Measure out ingredients and set aside
  • Peaches are in season first part of September
    – Blanche to remove skins

Ingredients to feed 6 people

  • 4 C fresh fruit – your choice (eg) peaches, berries, apples
  • 2 C accent fruit (eg) cherries or raisins
    Fruit Filling – Add to above fruit
  • 1/2 C sugar
  • 3 T cornstarch
  • juice and zest from one lemon
    Biscuit Topping
  • 1 1/2 C AP flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 6 TBL COLD butter
  • 1/2 C cold milk
  • 1/4 C cold cream
    Final Topping
  • 1/2 C rolled oats or Original Oats
  • 1/2 C sliced toasted almonds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 TBL melted butter
  • 2 TBL maple syrup

Step by Step

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Clean, cut, peel and slice all fruits
  3. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon
  4. Combine fruits and toss in lemon, then in sugar-cinnamon mixture
  5. Place in bottom of greased baking dish
  6. Sift together biscuit topping dry ingredients, cut in butter, then mix with liquid.
  7. Add milk and stir briefly.  DO NOT overmix.  Keep it crumbly.
  8. Spoon this batter over top of the fruit in lumps – flatten lumps slightly
  9. Brush with heavy cream
  10. Sprinkle Final topping across the top
  11. then sprinkle with Turbinado sugar
  12. Bake at 375 for 35-50 minutes or until golden brown
  13. Let rest five minutes before cutting

Oh, one more thing…

  • The cobbler takes its name from the biscuit dough crust on top – it is rough looking or ‘cobbled.’   It originated in the U.S. sometime in the early to mid 19th century.

This is a recipe that has been created or modified by Robert (Grandpa) Andrews.
CLICK HERE for a free sample copies of Grandpa's Cookbooks. © 2016, 2017, 2018.

North American Frittata – Basic

frittataBEFORE WE BEGIN . . .

  • Take note that onions cook a little bit longer than garlic. Onions will caramelize.  Garlic will burn.
  • Fresh herbs such as the basil and cilantro should be added at the last minute.
  • If you want to add potatoes, place cut potatoes into a skillet or in the oven to cook most of the way. Add to the top later, otherwise you will have hard uncooked potatoes in your frittata.
  • Once your ingredients are completely cooked, spread the ingredients out over the bottom of the pan and gently, and slowly, drizzle in your egg covering all the vegetables.

INGREDIENTS

  • Four eggs
  • Heavy cream
    .
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Tomatoes
  • Optional: spinach, celery, green onion, bell peppers, garlic, jalapeños, cilantro, crimini mushrooms, etc

NOTE:  You can simply use a Pico de Gallo salsa as your base

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Basil (chiffonade)
    .
  • Grated/shredded cheddar cheese
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Grated mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese

STEP BY STEP

  1. Mix four eggs – Beat egg until white and yolk is incorporated, but not completely homogeneous
  2. Add a splash of heavy cream
  3. Add salt, pepper, basil chiffonade leaves
  4. Add grated cheddar cheese
  5. Set aside
  6. Use small nonstick OVEN SAFE pan
  7. Chop an onion and put into hot oiled pan
  8. Brown onion
  9. If using mushrooms, set onions aside and cook mushrooms, then add back in onion and continue with Step 10.
  10. Add sliced tomatoes to the top of onion to slightly cook, then remove tomatoes and set aside
  11. Add small amount of other veggies if you wish. Not too much, or it will be watery
    – Add optional ingredients
  12. Let cook until most of the liquid has gone
  13. Pour in egg mixture
  14. Cook until sides start to solidify
  15. Add slices of tomato and nice pieces of ricotta
  16. Add grated mozzarella to top
  17. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the eggs
  18. Top with grated Parmesan cheese
  19. Bake under preheated broiler for 2-3 minutes or
    finish in the oven at 350º for about 25-30 minutes
    . Should be puffy and golden brown, but not burnt

Oh, one more thing…

  • Don’t add anything that is too wet into your frittata. Ideally drain things or set onto a paper towel to lose their moisture

This is a recipe that has been created or modified by Robert (Grandpa) Andrews.
CLICK HERE for a free sample copies of Grandpa's Cookbooks. © 2016, 2017, 2018.

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