Showing posts with label Pizza. Show all posts
Figgy Piggy Pizza
Figgy Piggy Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Figgy Piggy Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Figgy Piggy Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Figgy Piggy Pizza | Buttered Side Up

You guys, this pizza was so much fun to make. All of toppings pair so well. The sweet figs balance out the savory bacon and feta. It feels so fancy but it's pretty simple to make.

Reuben thought that the flavors were really good, but it was a tad dry (he was thinking it would be a regular pizza, not an appetizer). I think a drizzle of olive oil or a balsamic reduction would be lovely.

You can get my step-by-step photo instructions and the recipe over on the Tasty Kitchen Blog HERE.

WHAT WAS THE LAST PIZZA YOU ATE?

Bacon, Feta and Fig Pizza




Philly Cheese Steak Pizza | Buttered Side UpPhilly Cheese Steak Pizza | Buttered Side UpPhilly Cheese Steak Pizza | Buttered Side UpPhilly Cheese Steak Pizza | Buttered Side UpPhilly Cheese Steak Pizza | Buttered Side Up

Pizza has long been a favorite thing for me to make at home. It's grand to be able to enjoy such a delicious treat without the guilt of eating highly processed ingredients. It's fun to come up with different flavor combinations.

But homemade pizza is a lot of work; and it can be quite time consuming.

Some of that time can be shaved off by not having to wait for your pizza crust to rise for an hour. With Fleischmann's Pizza Crust Yeast, all you need to do is mix up the dough and shape it. It's ready to bake right away. If you have a few ingredients prepped beforehand, homemade pizza can actually be a feasible weeknight meal!



HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR A SPEEDY PIZZA:

  • When you make the sauce for your pizza, make a double batch and refrigerate or freeze half for next time.
  • If you have a weekly prep day, wash and cut all the veggies for your pizza. Cook the meat. Shred the cheese.
  • Use a rapid-rise yeast for those days when you have NO time to wait for the dough to rise.



My one disappointment with this yeast was the number of ingredients. I know they need to add those items to facilitate the quick rise time, but I'm a bit sad to use ingredients that I can't pronounce. However, if it's a choice between takeout and homemade pizza, it's pretty obvious which one will be more healthy. So I don't really bad guilty about using this yeast.

This year, I'd like to try to have a monthly pizza night. Fleischmann's yeast will make it quite doable. And I'm sure Reuben will be thrilled to know that he's ensured homemade pizza at least once a month.

When I asked Reuben what pizza I should make for you guys, he suggested a Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. This man is a genius. And this pizza was delicious. One of the best I've ever made. It was excellent cold as well.


RECIPE NOTES:
I like my pizza crust a bit sweet, so I added some extra sugar to the dough. It helped to balance out all the savory flavors.
If you prefer a crispy crust, I suggest lowering the oven temperature to about 400 - 425 F and increasing the baking time.
This recipe may look long, but all that's required is sauteing the veggies, cooking the meat, making a cheese sauce, and mixing up the dough. Don't get overwhelmed! 
You can ask your butcher to slice your steak very thin if you can't find any already packaged up for you.



PHILLY CHEESE STEAK PIZZA RECIPE
Makes one large (12-13") pizza
Printable Page

Ingredients:

For the cheese sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons organic all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
  • 1 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • pinch of fresh ground black pepper

For the toppings:
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided 
  • 1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 4 oz Portobello mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 8 oz. top sirloin steak, sliced thin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/4 cups shredded provolone cheese

For the dough:
  • 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 cups organic all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup very warm water (120 to 130 degrees F)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

For the toppings:
   In a large cast iron skillet set over medium-low heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon butter. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until soft and golden, about 20 minutes. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
   In the now-empty skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add the peppers and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
   Turn the heat up to high. Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to the empty skillet. Once the butter is melted, add the slices of steak. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for only about 45-60 seconds per side. Remove to plate. Once the steak is cooled, cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.
For the cheese sauce:
   In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour; cook for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly and smooth. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly, about 2-4 minutes.
   Remove from heat and vigorously stir in the cheeses and salt & pepper. The sauce will be very thick. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Set aside.
For the dough:
   Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Once the oven is hot, place a pizza stone in the oven to preheat while you're making your pizza.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Add the warm water and oil. Mix together until well combined, about a minute. Gradually add 1/2 cup flour until the dough forms a ball. Add more flour if needed.
   Dump the dough out onto a floured surface (dough will be somewhat sticky). Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Add additional flour as needed.
To assemble:
   Roll the dough out to a 12-13" circle on parchment paper. Spread the cheese sauce all over the dough. Top with the veggies and meat. Sprinkle the cheese on top.
   Transfer pizza to preheated stone and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned and the cheese is melted.

Cheese sauce recipe adapted from Bobby Flay and Betty Crocker. The toppings were inspired by Bobby Flay. Dough recipe adapted from Fleischmann's Yeast.






This post was sponsored by Fleischmann's Yeast. All opinions and words are my own.


Philly Cheese Steak Pizza | With Fleischmann's Pizza Crust Yeast




Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

Sometimes, you just KNOW a recipe is going to be good before you make it. Some combinations of ingredients are just hard to mess up. I mean, how could Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms be bad?!

These were far, far from bad. I wanted to eat the whole pan by myself. But I selflessly shared them with Helen, Susan (her cousin) and Reuben. They all enjoyed them. 

I think these would be a smashing appetizer for just about any occasion. You could make them up beforehand and pop them into the oven at the last minute. Just be sure to make lots - they'll be gone in a flash.




Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Recipe adapted from Tasty Kitchen
Makes 3 servings

Ingredients:
  • 10 baby bella mushrooms
  • 4 ounces (half a package) of cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste (I didn't need any)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced pepperoni (I like this brand)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped black olives.
Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.

Wash and dry your mushrooms. Scoop out the stems with a spoon. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper (if using), pepperoni, green pepper, onion and black olives. Make sure everything is well combined. 

Fill and mound each of the mushrooms with the filling. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until nicely browned. You can also place them under the broiler for a minute or two to brown the tops. Serve hot (they cool down quickly).

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms



This was originally published on July 19, 2010 on Cooking for Seven.




Our family loves homemade pizza; but when the days grow more hot and humid, I just don’t feel like turning the oven to 500° for an hour or more. The solution: grilled pizza! Here’s the method I like to use.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Make sure you have all your toppings ready. Preheat your grill on high. Roll your dough out thinly. Grease a piece of aluminum foil that’s a little larger than your dough. Transfer your dough to the foil and place on a pizza peel.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Place the dough, foil side up, on the grill and carefully remove the foil. Close the grill, turn it down to medium-high, and cook until you have some nice grill marks, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the dough and cook just until set on the under side, about 30 seconds – 1 minute. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with any remaining dough.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Here’s a bit of magic: pressed garlic mixed with olive oil. It will make your pizza rock.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Place the dough, with grill marks facing up, on your pizza peel. Brush with garlic oil. Add your favorite toppings. We like BBQ chicken pizza.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Turn your grill down to medium. Carefully transfer the pizza to the grill. Shut the lid and cook until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Be sure to check the pizza often or it will burn.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up
Transfer to a pizza pan or peel. Cool slightly, cut, and serve.


Grilled Pizza
What You’ll Need:
  • Pizza dough
  • Your favorite toppings
  • Aluminum foil
  • Olive oil for greasing the foil
  • Tongs for turning the dough
  • Metal spatulas for transferring the dough to the grill
  • Garlic and olive oil
  • A pizza peel or pan
Directions:
1) Make sure you have all your toppings ready. Preheat your grill on high. Roll your dough out thinly. Grease a piece of aluminum foil a little larger than your dough. Transfer your dough to the foil and place on a pizza peel.
2) Place the dough, foil side up, on the grill and carefully remove the foil. Close the grill, turn in down to medium-high, and cook until you have some nice grill marks, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the dough and cook just until set on the under side, about 30 seconds – 1 minute. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with any remaining dough.
3) Place the dough, with grill marks facing up, on your pizza peel. Brush with garlic oil. Add your favorite toppings. We like BBQ chicken pizza.
4) Turn your grill down to medium. Carefully transfer the pizza to the grill. Shut the lid and cook until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Be sure to check the pizza often or it will burn. Transfer to a pizza pan or peel. Cool slightly, cut, and serve.


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up


How To Grill Pizza | Buttered Side Up

How to Grill Pizza

sweet-italian-sausage
With this little mix of spices you can create your own bulk Italian sausage. Perfect for pizza or any place sweet Italian sausage is called for.
.
:: Sweet Italian Sausage Spice Blend ::
.
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground pork (ground beef may be substituted, but the flavor and texture will not be the same)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped parsley
Directions:
Combine the spices in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly with ground pork. Cook as directed by recipe.

Homemade Spices & Seasonings: Sweet Italian Sausage

Sauce is so important to a homemade pizza. I’m sure you could buy a very good bottled sauce. But why not make your own and control what goes into it?
This recipe makes a slightly sweet pizza sauce. The maple syrup helps to balance the acidity of the tomato paste. If you would like a less sweet version, simply decrease the amount of maple syrup.
.
:: Quick Homemade Pizza Sauce ::
.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1-2 tablespoons red cooking wine (optional but very good)
1/4 cup water
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk together until well combined. Place over low heat and cook until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Makes about 3/4 cup, or enough for two large pizzas

Homemade Pizza Sauce