Showing posts with label mozzarella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mozzarella. Show all posts

5.16.2012

Mother's Day!

Mom

As you know (or as I sure hope you knew), Sunday was Mother's Day, but today is also Mother's Day at my house. My brother is moving home for the summer and he arrives today! Tonight to be exact. Starting tonight, we are once again a household of four. Five if you count Charlie (the dog), which I do. 


Well I must say I had a fantastic Mother's Day (and Mom did, too!). I treated my mom to a breakfast spread of assorted bagels with cream cheese, fruit salad, orange juice, and flowers. Then Mom and I did something we love to do. One of those silly little things that gives us such joy, but that we rarely have time for: we browsed at a fancy grocery store. Even Charlie was licking his chops in anticipation of all the treats we brought home. 

Have you ever been to Plum Market? They have a lovely wine selection, great prices, and hello a wine tasting area where you can bet your behind we paid a visit.

And then the attractive young man working in the produce department (I swear, they only hire attractive young people to work in this place) explained to us that Rambutan is not an evil character in a Disney film, but a fruit that's sort of like a grape on the inside. Peel away that hazardous outer skin and inside you'll find clear-ish grape-like flesh with a mild flavor.


We finished the day off with a cheese appetizer (mozzarella filled with Italian cream and stracciatella) and pesto salmon. Seriously, this salmon is so good, you're gonna plotz! But you'll have to check back later this week for the low-down...



3.12.2012

Meatless Monday: Pizza Pizza!

Pizza Margherita + Salad Pizza

Once again we embark on another Meatless Monday. This time we're bringing you everyone's favorite delicacy... PIZZA!

Pizza Margherita is a classic combination of tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil. It's a little tangy from the tomato and a little creamy from the cheese and, well, it's delicious.

As for Salad Pizza, it's something we sort of made up that was inspired by a pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. Basically, it's a yummy mixed greens salad thrown on top of a pizza crust. Really. There's nothing to not like about salad pizza. My favorite combination is mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and goat cheese. However, you could easily put any salad at all on top of a pizza crust and call it Salad Pizza.

Making pizza at home is a lot of trial and error, especially with stretching the dough from a ball into something that resembles pizza. Be patient. You'll get it. Here are some tips:
  • Turn the fan on above the stove if you have one. 
  • Making pizza is a great way to test your smoke detector. Be ready because it WILL go off.
  • Use plenty of cornmeal underneath the uncooked pizza dough. You should be able to shake the cookie sheet and have the dough slide easily.

Pizza Margherita                                                             Printer friendly
Recipe...
  • tomato pizza sauce (recipe follows)
  • fresh pizza dough from the store or your local pizza shop
  • fresh mozzarrella
  • fresh basil
  • corn meal
1) Preheat oven to as high as your oven will go. Put a pizza stone in there and let it heat up for about 45 minutes.
2) Spread your pizza dough into a pizza shape. First, pat it into a disc shape. Use your knuckles and gently stretch the dough at the ends.
3) Sprinkle corn meal on an edgeless cookie sheet. Put the pizza dough on top and make sure it will easily slide off.
4) Spread some sauce on the pizza dough, layer slices of mozzarella, and tear basil on top.
5) When oven and pizza stone are preheated, with a quick, swift movement, slide the pizza dough onto the pizza stone.
6) Let the pizza cook until it looks delicious!


Salad Pizza
Recipe...

1) Make a salad and keep it in the fridge so it doesn't get soggy.
2) Cook the pizza dough the same way as above.
3) When the pizza crust is golden and looks tasty, take it out of the oven.
4) Toss salad with dressing and pile it on top of the pizza crust.
5) Enjoy!


The Easiest Pizza Sauce Ever
Recipe...

1) Saute some chopped onion in a pan until soft. Add chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds so it doesn't burn.
2) Pour a can of San Marzano tomatoes (or any kind of tomatoes) into the pan, add some tomato paste, and some torn fresh basil. Let it simmer for a good while until it's a nice consistency.
3) Cool sauce before using on pizza