deep dish cheese pizza

for the dough:

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp table salt
2 tsp sugar
2 1/4 tsp yeast, instant or rapid rise
1/2 cup fine ground corn meal
3 tbs butter, melted
1 tsp olive oil

whisk ingredient together then add  1 1/4 cup room temperature water and 3 tbs melted butter and mix with dough hook 1-2 minutes on low speed scraping the sides to make sure the flour is all incorporated..  then mix on high speed until smooth and not sticking to the bowl (4-5 minutes).

coat a large bowl in 1 tsp of olive oil, turn the dough into the bowl and turn the dough to coat.  cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 45 min to an hour.

for the sauce:

2 tbs butter
1/4 cup of grated onion
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1/4 tsp sugar
2 tbs chopped baisl
1 tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste


melt butter in a sauce pan, add onion, oregano and salt stir and cook until golden brown.  add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  add crushed tomatoes and sugar.  bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 25 minutes.  add basil and olive oil, salt and pepper to taste off heat.

for the pizza:

turn dough out onto dry board and roll out with a rolling pin gently until it is 15 x 12 inches.  spread softened butter onto dough up until 1/4 in from edge.  roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll.  roll the dough out until it is 18 x 4 in.  cut the log in half and fold the dough into thirds pinching the seams and put back into oiled bowl.  cover with plastic wrap and let rise in the refrigerator for 50 minutes.

oil 2 round cake pans with 2 tbs olive oil, make sure all sides are well greased.

for the filling:

2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 recipe pizza sauce
6 tbs finely grated parmesan

roll dough out to a 13 in circle.  transfer dough to the pan and press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.  spread 2 cups of mozzarella into the bottom on the pizza dough and cover with 1 cups pizza sauce and sprinkle with 3 tbs finely grated parmesan per pizza.

bake pizzas at 425 degrees on the lowest rack for 25 minutes until crust is golden brown.  let sit for 15 minutes.  serve immediately.

cacio e pepe

4 oz imported pecorino romano grated on the teeth of the box grater
1 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs heavy cream
1 lb spaghetti

boil 1 lb of spaghetti in 2 quarts of water with 1 1/2 tbs salt, stirring frequently.  drain the pasta into your serving dish, the water will warm the dish.  reserve 1 1/2 cup pasta water, discard the rest of the water.  put the pasta back into your serving dish.

stir 1 cup of pasta water into the grated cheese to melt it.  add 1 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp olive oil and 2 tbs heavy cream stir until smooth and well combined.

slowly pour sauce into the pasta tossing gently.  serve immediately.

rosemary focaccia

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp yeast

1/3 cup water , 110 degrees

2 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp yeast

1 1/4 cup water, 110 degrees

2 tsp kosher salt

4 tbs olive oil 

1 tsp kosher salt, for pans

2 tbs rosemary, chopped finely, 

stir first 3 ingredients together until well incorporated.  cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 8 hrs.

add 2 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp yeast and 1 1/4 cup water, 110 degrees to your starter.  mix well with a wooden spoon.  cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.  add 2 tsp kosher salt and mix well.  cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.  

spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray and fold the dough over itself 8 times (instead of kneading) this created larger air holes.  cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.  fold the dough 8 times, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes, repeat.  while your dough is rising the last time place a baking stone or an inverted cookie sheet in a 500 degree oven.  

once you have folded and let rise 3 times flour your board and turn your dough out onto it.  divide the dough in 2, it should be wet and sticky, flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers.  tuck the edges under very gingerly to make 2 dough rounds.  coat 2 cake pans with 2 tbs olive oil per pan, spread oil with your fingers. then sprinkle 1/2 tsp kosher salt in each pan.  turn the dough into the pans and swirl around to coat with oil.  cover and let rise 5-10 minutes.  gently press the dough into the edges of the pan.  take a fork and prick the dough 25-30 times.  sprinkle 1 tbs of fresh rosemary finely chopped over each pan.  turn your oven down to 450 degrees.  let rest for 10 minutes.  

bake for 25-28 minutes at 450 degrees.  let cool for 5 minutes in pan and then turn out and let cook for another 30 minutes.

chicki nug nugs

INGREDIENTs

• 4boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2cups water
• 1tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 2tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1cup all-purpose flour
• 1cup panko bread crumbs, crushed
• 2teaspoons onion powder
• 3/4teaspoon pepper
• 1/2teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2teaspoon baking soda
• 3large egg whites
• 4cups peanut or vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. CUT AND BRINE Following photos 1 to 3 (at left), cut each chicken breast diagonally into thirds, then cut each third diagonally into ½-inch-thick pieces. Whisk water, tablespoon salt, and Worcestershire in large bowl until salt dissolves. Add chicken pieces and refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes.
• 2. COAT CHICKEN Remove chicken from brine, discard brine, and pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine flour, bread crumbs, onion powder, remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and baking soda in shallow dish. Whisk egg whites in second shallow dish until foamy. Coat half of chicken with egg whites and dredge in flour-crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining chicken (don’t discard flour-crumb mixture). Let sit 10 minutes.
• 3. FRY Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Return chicken to flour dish and turn to coat, pressing flour-crumb mixture gently to adhere. Fry half of chicken until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Drain chicken on wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet and place in oven. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining chicken.

perfect waffles

2 cups flour
1 tbs sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup powdered buttermilk

2 large eggs
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups club soda

heat the waffle iron.

whisk the first 4 wet ingredients together until well mixed.  then stir the club soda in very gently.  mix the dry ingredients together and create a well in the center.  pour the wet ingredients into the well.  mix the batter together leaving some lumps.

when the waffle iron is hot, pour 1/2 cup batter into the waffle iron and cook until golden brown.

serve with butter, syrup, fruit, whatever.

no kneed bread

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cup luke warm water

Instructions

1. In a medium large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and yeast together. Pour the water over the flour mixture and mix with a spoon until the flour is absorbed and the mixture resembles wet sticky dough. Cover the bowl with either plastic wrap, foil, or a clean, wet, kitchen towel. Place thw bowl in a warm place.
2. Allow the dough to rest overnight.
3. Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly smaller than the base of the pot. Place the parchment paper inside the pot.
4. Sprinkle just enough flour on the dough to be able to scoop the dough out with your hand without being too sticky. Place the loosely form dough ball in the center of the pot, on top of the parchment paper. Place a oven-safe lid on top of the pot and place it in the cold oven.
5. Turn the oven on to 450 degrees F and set a kitchen timer for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the lid from the pot and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the pot from the oven and carefully remove loaf from the pot.
7. Allow the bread to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices.

goat cheese and bacon chicken

• 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 1 slice bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 4 (6-oz) skinless, boneless, chicken breast halves
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 tbs basil finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine basil, cheese, and bacon in a small bowl. Cut a 1-inch-wide slit into the thick end of each chicken breast, and carefully cut down to center of chicken to form a pocket. Divide cheese mixture evenly among pockets. Secure with wooden picks. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Add chicken to pan; saute 4 minutes. Turn chicken over and place skillet in oven and bake for 12 minutes; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

baked pasta fredo

8 oz. penne or bowtie pasta

1 recipe sauce (recipe below)

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

6 oz. crumbled bacon

1 14-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 c. chopped green onions (about 1 decent-sized bunch)

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350.

Cook pasta just short of al dente--will continue to cook in the oven.

While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce sauce. When pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce. Toss with chopped chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, green onions, and 1/2 c. mozzarella. Season to taste.

Transfer mixture to an 8×8″ baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:
2 C low-fat milk
1/3 C (3 oz) low fat cream cheese
2 T flour
1 t salt
1 T butter
3 garlic cloves
1 C grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Place milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth.  In a non-stick sauce pan, melt butter on med-high heat and add garlic. Let the garlic saute for about 30 seconds, you don’t want to burn it.

Then add milk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly for about 3 or 4 minutes or until it just comes to a simmer. Keep stirring and let it cook for a few minutes more. It should be much thicker now.

When it’s nice and thickened remove the pan from the heat. Add the cheese, stir it up and then cover immediately. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before using.

rainbow sprinkles cookies

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/8 tsp. salt

1 1/2 butter, at room temperature

3/4 cups sugar

1 large eggs and 1 large egg yolk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 bottle of rainbow sprinkles

Directions:

To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.  In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt, and whisk together to blend.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until soft and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed.  Blend in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients mixing just until incorporated and evenly mixed.  Cover and chill the dough for 1 hour.

When you are ready to bake the cookies, scoop a scant quarter cup of dough and roll into a ball.  Roll the ball in thr rainbow sprinkles until covered.  Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies at least 2-3 inches apart.  Bake about 10-12 minutes or just until set.  (Do not overbake!  The edges should be no more than very lightly browned if at all.)  Let cool on the baking sheet for several minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

valentines' day french toast

1 chocolate marble loaf sliced into 3/4-1" slices (recipe to follow)
1 cup of strawberries sliced
1/2 cup raspberries 
1/4 cup pistachios (optional)
juice of 1/2 an orange
zest of 1 orange
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup plus 2 tbs granulated sugar, divided
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
sweetened whipped cream (optional)
pinch of salt


Chocolate Marbled Loaf

4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup milk, divided

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

1/2 cup butter , room temperature

3/4 cup plus 2 tbs granulated white sugar

2 large egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Butter and lightly flour a 9 by 5 x 3" loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

Melt thechocolate, along with 1/4 cup of the milk

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl whisk the sour cream with the remaining 1/4 cup milk and the vanilla extract.

In your electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream/milk mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Spoon half of the batter into a separate bowl. Add the melted chocolate mixture to one half of the batter and fold in.

With two spoons, place spoonfuls of the two mixtures into the prepared loaf pan alternately (chocolate, white, chocolate, etc.). Run a wooden skewer or knife through the two batters to achieve a marbled effect. (Don't over mix or you won't have that wonderful marble affect.)Bake in preheated oven for about 50 -55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely.

for the french toast assembly:

Mix the batter: eggs, sugar, cream, cinnamon, vanilla and orange zest until well combined.

In a small bowl toss the fruit with the orange juice and 2 tbs sugar, let sit at room temperature until ready to serve.

Dip the slices of bread in the batter, covering both sides.  Cook on a skillet or large non-stick pan over medium heat until crisp.  

Top slices of french toast with the fruit, sprinkle with pistachios if desired and top with whipped cream.