Weekend SnapShots

Adventures in the Kitchen v. 3.19.12

I think we have established by now, that I am a picky eater. However, there is one food I will consume, every day, all day if I could... and that would be pizza. Not that home-made, thin, crunchy stuff, but think crusted, cheesy, deep dish type pizzas.(Pizza Hut anyon)  So when in search of something new to try, it was a no brainer that the Pizza Loaf was going to be at the top of my list.

This was a really simple recipe, and fun too. Prep time takes about fifteen minutes, and the loaf is fully baked in about thirty. I was really pleased with the result, and its definitely going to be a regular menu item in my house.

I made three batches, the first I used the whole pound loaf called for in the recipe. The second time I divided the pound loaf into smaller sections, and made two smaller loafs, which made easier storing. I will be freezing at least one, to see how it does. I ate some of the first loaf for dinner, and it tastes just as good re-warmed as it did fresh.
 
Things the recipe won't tell you:

• This recipe calls for frozen bread down, and while it says not to let it rise, if it rises in the refrigerator, its no biggie. 
• I don't know what kind of frozen bread dough was used in the original recipe, but mine doubled while in the oven. I don't know why I didn't think of that before, but your nice jelly roll, won't stay so nice after it gets out of the oven. I don't know exactly how to fix that, but it tastes good.
• The original recipe does not have you add pizza sauce to your creation, for good reason. But I  am (sometimes) the type of person who has to find it out for myself, so I did, and I did. Go with the original version. It doesn't taste bad, but it is soggier.
• If you make smaller loafs, don't put them as close together as I did!! The middle won't cook as fast! Blegh! 

Mini Pizza Loafs Fresh from the Oven. 

Pizza Loaf

• Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min.
• Yield: 10-12 Servings

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Ingredients

• 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces sliced pepperoni
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup pickled pepper rings
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives
• 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce

Directions

• On a greased baking sheet, roll out dough into a 15-in. x 10-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, oil, parsley, oregano, garlic powder and pepper. Brush over the dough.
• Sprinkle with the pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepper rings, green pepper and olives. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal and tuck ends under.
• Place seam side down; brush with egg whites. Do not let rise. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Warm the pizza sauce; serve with sliced loaf. Yield: 10-12 slices.

Originally published as Pizza Loaf in Quick Cooking September/October 2003, p28

 

Don't forget! My URL is changing in 1 days!
www.mynameis-erin.blogspot.com

Adventures in the Kitchen V.3

There are days when I just in the mood to cook. 
As a college student, I never really had time to do a lot of cooking; so when I did it was always a drudgry because I was tired, exhausted and had a million other things to do, besides eating. 


Enter Pinterest.


The combination of Pinterest + lots of random time on my hands, I have found out that cooking can be very enjoyable when you aren't stressed! Who knew!


My latest creation, can't really be called cooking I suppose, but it was enjoyable none-the less. 


This tale starts a couple of weeks ago, really. I was at my friend's house and was afford some homemade hot chocolate mix. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was the best hot chocolate from a mix, that I'd had in a long while. 


"I need this recipe" says I. 


And she, nicely directed me to "A" website with a simple looking hot chocolate mix recipe. What she failed to tell me, was that SHE didn't make the mix, nor was the website she sent me too, anything like what they had served. 


So I'm happily measuring this and that, heating water, eagerly anticipating my first cup of hot cocoa. 


I was a bit concerned, that the recipe only called from a 1/2 cup of hot chocolate mix, while you loaded up on powdered sugar, creamer and dry milk.. but no matter, this is what it says to do! Far be it from me to say any different. 


The water was boiling at this point, so I pour a mug, generously supplied helped myself to four big scoops of mix. 


My first sip was... nasty.


I stirred some more, let it cool, and went back to review the comments left on the website. 


Another sip, still tastes like dry milk with some chocolate powder. 


I went back, dumped half the container of hot chocolaty mix into my bowl, and tried again.


My disappointment knew no bounds. 


6 cups of waste. 


Was there any way to salvage this at all? 


There was.


Several google searches later, I came across another recipe, that had you add a package of instant chocolate pudding, along with unsweetened cocoa to the mix. 


I knew what I had to do. The next day, David and I headed to Kroger to pick up the ingredients that may just save this mixes life. 


IT DID! 


The stuff is officially AMAZING. Add some whipped cream? Its heaven I tell you. 




Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix [as Modified by yours truly]

2 cups powdered milk

1 (3 ounce) package chocolate pudding mix (use regular not instant) [Erin Notes: Instant works just fine]

1/2 cup powdered instant chocolate drink mix (such as Nestle Nesquick)

1/2 cup french vanilla non-dairy coffee creamer

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions: Mix Well! :) 

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/creamy-hot-chocolate-mix-in-a-jar-for-gift-giving-191970#ixzz1nn3RkGvt

What I'm Eating...

I'm not a huge fan of the Italian style, meat, sauce, cheese and noodle dishes. While I'll eat them every blue moon, or I generally don't make it for myself; I hate wasting food, and these type dishes, inevitably get wasted at my house. When I came across the recipe for mini lasagna cups on Pinterest, I knew that I might have found a way to balance my dislike of leftovers with, my like of the lasagna taste.

I was right!

They came out perfectly, and I ate three of them before my stomach complained! I also brought them to work for lunch, and they warm up really well. The only thing I could complain about is, the crisp edges, but that's easily enough taken care of by breaking them off. 

It was very simple to make, and was done in less than an hour! Finding the wonton wrappers, called for in the recipe was the only difficult part. I went through three different stores, before I located them in the produce section at Wal-Mart. I've heard phyllo dough can be substituted for wonton wrappers, and was going to try that myself, but I, luckily, found the actual thing. :)

Want the recipe? Check it out here: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/mini-lasagna-cups.html

Happy Monday Everyone!

First Snow

I'm skipping today's #Reverb10 prompt, cause it was just like, I ....I can't even explain the confusion I felt when reading it. Inteeways....the weather announcements started around Thursday afternoon, a huge storm system was supposed to go through our fair city over the weekend. Snow, rain, sleet the whole nine yards. All the locals were skeptical, after all the most snow scene around here is about 0.5 inches. Skepticism rose to a whole new level when Saturday morning dawned bright and 50 degrees. 


And it wasn't until 11PM that the rain started. Cold, bitter rain. I began to become optimistic that we'd have snow by the morning. My disappointment was great when I  stuck my head out into a cold, gray day. 
However, by the time church was out the flurries were coming down hard and fast, much to Pompei's delight, and the dachshunds horror. By the time, we were getting ready for the evening service, the roads were getting slick, and icy.


Now most northerners who move down here, are always laughing at the locals and how quickly the town shuts down when the snow starts falling, however, they don't realize that those huge...shall we say "ditches" or drop offs, the mountainously steep roads, are a like riding the roller coaster of death, on a thin sheet of ice. Four wheel drive or no. I've attempted to drive them. Believe me, its not an experiance I want little children and busses going through.


So what do I do on a Sunday evening, with no church and lots of snow coming down?? Well after I freeze my nose off, letting the dogs play in the yard....

I organize my closet!!!!!!! I know, I know try not to be jealous. It had to be done, I needed to get to my clothes.

Have you ever washed your entire closet all at once? 

Like, take every.single.piece of clothing out of your closet and wash it?

No?

You probably should do it every so often. #justsayin

ANyway, so I'd done that last month, for a reason,that I'm not going to tell you right now, and spent sometime sorting through, bagging up the clothes I haven't worn in like...since I bought them, and let my sisters go through them. #werecoolwithhandmedowns

I made quite a dent in my closet, so now instead of taking up both sides, it only takes up one....and a dresser...and a bunch of tubs....See? 

Before...

 In between....

 And After! 

Except you can't see my closet...

Or inside it...

So you'll just have to take my word..K?!

After that was done, I cleaned other parts of my house and all the while managing my city on Age of the Empires II. Gold Edition. My mom used to think that game was violent.  It is sorta, of but a girl has to keep her city safe, and if I have to commission, armies of archers, elephants, calvary and hoards of villagers to keep my food supplies up. You should try it sometime. :) During the managing of my second empire, I whipped up some Monkey Bread. 

Yummy, ooey, gooey, goodness. Note: Don't try to grab the pan without oven mitts. Also don't stick your finger in the empty pan and try to lick the remaining glaze...it burns. 


Oh wait..you actually wanted pictures of snow?! About that...there's the little problem with it getting dark at 5:30PM and yeah. Maybe tomorrow. Speaking of Monday, I don't have to go in until 10AM, and with any luck they may just shut her down.......


You'll excuse me, so I can go pray for 12 inches of snow?


See Ya!

October 30, 2010

Today I

..................

Attempted to sleep until 12:00PM....
It didn't work because the kid-lets had to go out once an hour, since they aren't used to me staying in that late. Saturday's have become odd days for me of late. Sunday - Friday I'm going none stop, always preparing for something else the next day, and then there are Saturdays. I look forward to the downtime of Saturdays, to being able to sleep in, to having no agenda. But once I get there I'm like a fish without water, bouncing around with nothing to do. 

I woke in enough time to catch the beginning of the game.....
UT played SC this weekend, so I spent most of the next three hours straightening up my house and listening to the game. It was so.close I actually thought we might win, but SC came out the victors. *sigh* I would have been ironic if we could have beat SC after they beat the Gators and Alabama. 


During the middle of the game I was attacked.....
By another bird. ANOTHER BIRD! This makes the THIRD bird to have gotten in my house in the last couple of weeks. How in the world are these birds getting into our single wide trailer mobile home? I don't get it, however this poor bird was very unlucky in life, and was swiftly caught, killed and eaten by one Pompei. All I can say is, I'm glad I didn't have to dispose of it. RIP little birdie. 


I decide to... 
Call into to the weekly Guide Dog Foundation conference call, for its Graduates, Puppy Raisers, etc....I've "known" these people through the GDF-TALK list for over four years now, and having nothing else todo, decided to call in. Two hours later, my phone died and I was forced to get off, perhaps I'll call again next week. Great Conversations. I think its funny that I, Erin-hater-of-talking-on-the-phone, spent two hours on the phone with people I've never even met. 


I also attempted to make...
Applebees Spinach and Artichoke Dip. 
It was a disaster. 
It was nasty. 
It is in the garbage. 
However I have a new recipe to try from the Pioneer Woman (Soul Sweet Taters) They look soooooo yummy. 


 I tried not to think about all the decision I have to make.....
Have you ever attempt to do something and yet the more you try the more obstacles come up in your way? I'm starting to feel that way about my photography classes. Its not that I'm getting bad grades, but both semesters I've been taking it there has always been something hanging over my head, the threat of my classes being dropped, due to not being able to pay/FA dragging its feet to get my case taken care of. 
So I've been toying around with the idea of switching back to my original major of Web Design. I guess I get intimidated with this degree because its so.much.more of an effort for me. Creativity is not one of my strong points, and it can be tough to produce things that my teachers are "cool" with, that and I really really really don't want to drop photography. But one does wonder...is God trying to tell me something here? 


I had a blast at Disney on Ice...
Last night my roommate, her sister (also my neighbor) and I took, their nieces to see Disney on Ice Princesses Wishes. Amazing show. Granted I love anything Disney anyway but it was fun. We of course, had the "cheap seats" so we were all the way at the top of the arena, but it was still an ok position. It would have been a very relaxing evening if not for the lady who was trying to find her seats, and loudly looking for an usher, and telling people "well your just going to have to move" not to mention her kid was screaming the whole time. They finally got everyone rearranged and settled. 
At intermission I decided to take the little girls to the bathroom. BIG MISTAKE. The line went up the steps going down the steps for the restrooms. I wonder what people thought of a black girl with two little white children. Not your typical scenario! LOL! We realized we were getting the bathroom, so we rushed back to our seats, in time for the lights to go down and second act to begin. A few lucky kids got to ride around the ice on a boat and watch the next scene from.the.ice. I was SO Jealous! Seriously how cool was that? 
Anyway it ended far too soon, and defiantly a must see. 

Now that I have stayed up....
Way past my projected bedtime, I bid you adieu. 

Potato Soup - October Recipes

One of my goals on my 101 N 1001 list, was to try at least two new recipes a month. This however, was before I knew I would be out of a stove for at least the first 8 months of my new list of goals. And when I did get a stove, I can't say that I was all that inclined to do much cooking. It takes time, effort and energy...none of which I seemed to have at the time. Now that the weather has cooled off I have had this sudden desire to do a lot of cooking. 
Now I'm a very picky eater, but when I find things I like, at restaurants and such I like to see if I can find a recipe so I can make it at home. O'Charley's has THE BEST Loaded Baked Potato Soup. THE BEST. And this is from a person who does.not.like.soup. End of story. 
So I've been searching online for a recipe that came close to acheiving their soup, and while I'd tried one earlier this year (it was horrible) I found another and combined it with one I used last time, and this time it was awesome! Even my family loved it! That's saying a lot people. 
So without further ado, I give to you: Erin's Potato Soup as derived from here and here. 

2 Large Baking Potatoes
1/2 cup Butter (I used Earth Balance)
4 tbls Flour

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup shredded cheddar Cheese
Bacon bits
1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper 

1 tsp basil

1 cup half-and-half

Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 10 minutes or until cooked. 

In a separate pot, combine melted margarine and flour, mixing until smooth.Here I added a handful of cheese and mixed in. Add salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream, bacon bits and extra cheese; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.

It was a really simple recipe and great for those cool winter days! I'm so excited with how it came out! :) 

These little things make me happy. :)

                        

Summer Week 3

This weekend I got to spend some time with my two youngest siblings, Wes and Autumn. I don’t have favorite siblings (or at least that is what I tell myself) but if I did, these two would defiantly make the first cut… and I do love all fo my SIBLINGS. (And of course they won’t read that part but I digress.)
We were driving over the mountain to attend our “other sister’s” high school graduation, and Weston decided he wanted to ride with me. He probably just didn’t want to ride with my parents. So I was the only other choice. Touching I know. Weston is seriously one of the world’s sweetest kids, he’s super thoughtful, always has something kind to say, I sometimes wonder if he was adopted! No wait he probably got that from our mom, along with my other sister Robyn glad someone rubbed off on her. …The rest of us? Like our father. Pray for us.

I personally had a great time talking to him, about nothing I can’t remember a word I said, but I know I had fun, on the way back we gained youngest sister Autumn; now Autumn is a lot more rambunctious that Weston is...but has toned it down a lot in the last year. I decided to let them spend the night with me, and the dogs thought that was the best thing ever. Texas went back and forth between the couches trying to decide who to sleep with. He finally gave it up and came back with me. I need to spend more time with them for sure, though we do see each other daily, it’s not the same as making memories with each other.
Writing that on the “To Do” list..Since I guess my 101 in 1001 is too long…

It is traditional in our church, during a revival that the members invite the pastor’s family and the visiting pastor to their home for dinner and fellowship, during the week they are there.
When my roommate first suggested we have the evangelist over, I’ll admit I really wasn’t keen on the idea. Its a little nerve racking inviting people to your home in my opinion. Plus I’m really reclusive when it comes to my house so the idea of stuffing 16 people plus my three dogs, wasn’t appealing to me. (My family = 8, Their family = 5, My friends = 3, Plus =?) But being the good person I am, I agreed to but my feelings aside and help out in any way possible. A.K.A scrubbing the house from top to bottom.

Those who have been around me within the last year know that I love to clean/organize my house. (read: MY House) Every Saturday if I’m home, I spend the day scrubbing the bathrooms, mopping floors, vacuuming, doing laundry…its my version of therapy. When school started up again I had to let go of those habits in favor of doing homework, but for the most part I’d do that throughout the week.
So scrubbing my house and the dogs only took about two hours max. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself! {May 27th - The party was a success,everyone had fun, there was enough food, the dogs were calm and quiet in their room, we did it! Woo! }

Work is a buzz today, Destination Imagination is on campus and so there are people and kids all over the place. Apparently one of the “hot” things to do, is trade pins with all the kiddos walking through the arena, my boss brought her extensive pin collection, and donated a few to start mine.  I’m looking forward to working this overtime I believe! Speaking of work, the job hunt has been going slowly, I’m really not ready to leave the university but at the same time, money is the issue here. There is a position here in the department that’s open but I’m not sure its something that I can, or want to do…despite knowing they’d hire me in a heartbeat. Another thing is I’d believe they would be committing me to working for at least a couple of years….
There is a couple of other position on campus that I’m looking at, but I still want to be able to bring my service dog in training and according to new “Animals in the Workplace Policy” (who in the world has one of those?) Service Dogs in Training are NOT allowed, despite the TN law, granting them the same access rights as fully trained service dogs…

Anyway so that’s where I am with that…

My cooking mood has continued from last week, it’s amazing what a lack of money will motivate you to do!
All of the sudden I have the will power to go 8 hours without a lunch break, I’m eating lunch before I leave for work, I’m passing up Taco Bell on my way home!!!

On top of the Steak Bites, I also whipped up a batch of Stove Top Mac & Cheese. I love baked macaroni & cheese, but I have the slight problem of not having a stove, so when in doubt “Google”, and I found a great recipe from Rachel Rays’ website. It was so. Good. I mean for really good; like I ate the whole batch in like two days good. That one is defiantly going into my recipe book.

For tonight I’m going to get up my nerve for burgers. So far my burger attempts have turned out pretty sadly, but armed with Rachel Ray’s Everyday Cooking website, I’m going to see what I can make up!
{May 27th - I have officially given up making homemade burgers. I just can't do it!! I'm sure these burgers aren't BAD bad, but I really really don't like them. How about that.}