Pesto Bruschetta

This is my spin on your average bruschetta. I experienced this combo at a pizza place and knew I had to try and replicate it!

• 1 cup diced tomato (fresh)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tbs basil
• 1/4 tbs crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tbs minced garlic
• pinch of both salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup pesto (I used store bought)
• basic pizza dough ( http://voilalefromage.blogspot.com/2011/05/basic-pizza-dough.html )
• 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar
• fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Roll pizza dough in to a square shape. Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes. You want the dough to be partially cooked but not done. In the meantime dice tomatoes and add olive oil, basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well

After the dough has baked ten minutes remove from oven and evenly spread pesto. Top with tomato mixture and place back in oven and bake and additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Using a pizza cutter, slice bread sticks in to desired size. (The first time I made this I rolled out individual bread sticks and it was not fun trying to top each individual one with pesto and tomato mixture!) Top with fresh Parmesan cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. 

Mediterranean Pasta

I absolutely love Mediterranean flavors and was craving some pasta! This recipe is really simple and is ready in the time it takes to cook pasta.

Ingredients:
1 Cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
1(8 1/2-ounce) can artichoke hearts in water, quartered and drained
1/2 Cup capers rinsed and drained
1 package of angel hair pasta
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Boil water for pasta. In the mean time heat olive oil in a pan large enough to accommodate all the ingredients including the cooked pasta. I find a 5 1/2 quart saute pan works best. On low add garlic to slightly cook for about one minute.

Once garlic is slightly cooked, (careful not to burn)add artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and chicken stock. Increase heat to steam and soften the ingredients. Once liquid has reduced to half (about 5 minutes) add tomato paste to thicken sauce.

When pasta is a little shy of al dente add to the pan with artichokes and sauce. The pasta will continue to cook while you toss and stir everything together. Salt and pepper to taste, I also add crushed red pepper flakes. Serve with fresh cheese, either feta or Parmesan.

*I served a sliced chicken breast on top of pasta for those who wanted meat.

Attention...

Hey food bloggers and followers, sorry for the long absence! I moved back to Michigan and along with that came a crazy hectic life. I am happy to say I will resume blogging and won't leave my followers hanging. Lots of new and exciting recipes to come!

Bobby Flays Grilled Steak

I am not a fan of steak but I figured many of you guys are! Bobby Flay is known for his delicious grilling and I saw this recipe on the today show and thought if I liked steak this might be the way I would like to grill it. Simple and easy! Enjoy : )

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

White Chicken Pizza

White Chicken Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza dough (recipe from previous post)

1 cup Béchamel sauce (recipe below)

1 Chicken breast (poached and shredded)

½ cup fresh Spinach chopped

½ cup Feta Cheese

¼ cup Parmesan Cheese

½ Mozzarella Cheese

½ medium sized onion sliced

Directions

1.     Can use store bought dough in this recipe but I used my homemade. Roll out to desired thickness and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to pre cook.

2.    Once partially cooked add your béchamel sauce in place of your normal tomato sauce. Top with shredded chicken, chopped spinach, crumbled feta, onions and parmesan cheese. Cook for approximately 15 minutes depending on thickness. Reserve the mozzarella until the last 5 mins of cooking.

Béchamel sauce

1 Cup of Milk

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons butter

Pinch of nutmeg 

1.     In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook until the mixture resempbles a light, golden color.

2.    Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan just until boil. Add the hot milk to the butter mixture whisking continuously until very smooth.

3.    Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg, and set aside until ready to use. I add a little garlic powder and parmesan cheese to give it some extra flavor. 

Basic Pizza Dough

After you make this dough and realize how easy it is you will never want to order take out pizza again. This basic recipe can be used for Stromboli, bread sticks, or just your basic pizza dough. Any flavoring can be added to it to give it and extra kick such as garlic or basil. 


Basic Pizza Dough- Yields 2- 12 inch pizzas

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of active dry yeast

1 ½ cups warm water

3 ½ cups flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

Pinch of salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl add yeast and warm water. Stir and set aside for about 5 mins or when bubbles start to form.

2. Add flour to a large bowl or cutting board. Create a mound and make a hole in the middle large enough for the active yeast. Once you’ve added the yeast mixture to the flour add the olive oil and pinch of salt. Using a spatula draw the ingredients together

3. Once combined, knead the dough briefly adding a little flour if needed until dough no longer sticks to your hands.

4. Transfer dough to a bowl that’s been lightly greased with olive oil. Create an X mark on top using a knife and add a little oil to the top of to prevent the surface from breaking.

5. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let rise and double in size for about 1 ½ hours. Once doubled, punch it down to get air bubbles out. You can now roll out to desired size and bake or freeze.

                                                Baking

1. If using a pizza stone place it in the oven while it preheats at 450. Whatever you are using to transfer the rolled out dough to the oven (I have a pizza board) make sure you sprinkle it with corn meal so the dough does not stick. You can also use a regular metal pan, if not non-stick make sure you grease it.

2. I like to pre-bake it for about 5 to 10 minutes then add the sauce and toppings. Bake for another 10 minutes then add the cheese and bake for 5 more.  Check readiness by lifting one side of pizza.

Out of town!

Hey Bloggers I was out of town with limited internet access so the blog will be up and running with some new recipes soon!

In the mean time check out this article from Health Magazine on
 9 New Superfoods for Women <Click Here