Mummy Pizza

I was trying to come up with a Halloween designed pizza.
I didn't want your typical pumpkin design. Everyone's done those.
I Googled pictures of Halloween pizzas...
Saw the pumpkin, spiders, mini round mummies, bats, and then the stuffed mummy. I knew that was my winner and it wouldn't be hard.
They were a major hit and I will probably be making them every year now.
It was quick, simple, and mess free. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Jar of Pizza Sauce/Marinara
• 1 Bag Mozzarella
• 1 Bag Italian Cheese Mix
• 1 Pre-made Pizza Crust
• Any other toppings you want, like pepperoni

Directions:

• Preheat oven according to your pizza crust, mine was 400. 
• Line a cookie sheet with foil, grease.
•          **** I did put mine on a greased wax paper first, since I was making two, but it was very difficult to transfer from the wax paper to foil. So, I suggest if you are making only one to use the foil directly. *******
• Lay your pizza dough, stretching at the sides to make wider, but not the top or bottom.

• Using a pizza cutter, make slits along both sides of dough. About one finger length wide and long, leaving one solid 2-3 inches in the center. Like so:

• Spoon desired amount of pizza sauce in the center.

•  Top with about 1 handful of mozzarella, and 2 handfuls of the italian mix. If you are adding other toppings, add them between the 2 cheeses.

• Take the bottom 2 strips and pinch together at the bottom, and then start braiding upwards.

• Continue braiding until you get to the top 6 strips. Pinch the top two as you did the bottom two. Place 2 pepperonis for the eyes, and cross the left over braids around the eyes. *For the ones not for my kids, I added jalapeno slices for eyes.*

• I baked mine for 12 minutes, until they became golden brown.

• I sliced them into strips, for easy eating, and/or dipping into ranch.

Oven Fried Chicken

Everyone has those days where they don't mind cooking, but they don't want to the big mess that follows.
This is one of those meals that is super low in the mess factor, plus it's quick and easy too.

 Now, I usually don't make just chicken legs, but they had a great deal on them at the grocery store, and my kids love them.
So, please use any chicken pieces you desire.

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken legs (or other pieces, trimmed of fat)
• 1 cup Prego Italian Bread Crumbs
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• 1/3 cup Flour
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt
• Pepper
• 1-2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (depending on your amount of chicken)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
To minimize mess, pour your olive oil into a freezer bag.
Add your chicken pieces, seal, and shake around until all the chicken is covered.
Set bag aside.



In a large mixing bowl, add bread crumbs, paprika, flour, garlic salt, and pepper.
Stir until completely blended.
Foil a 9x13 pan (for easy clean up).
****I did use non stick just in case*******


Take one chicken at a time and drench it with the mixture in your bowl. Set on the pan, repeat until done.
Place in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 . I suggest rotating them once.








There you go!
Super easy, not very messy, and gives you time to accomplish other things while it's cooking.
Oh plus.... it's not all super greasy.

Grilled Pork Chops

Usually my husband grills, but every once in awhile I get a chance to take over.
He also isn't a fan of pork, unless it's bacon.
I however, need a a change occasionally, and since he was running late this day, I got to make these.
Which he actually liked, and said I was allowed to make again.
Yes!!! Score me!
They are super easy and quick (minus the marinating time).

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C. Olive Oil
• 1/3 C. Soy Sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Lemon Pepper 
• 6 Boneless Pork Chops

Directions:

Trim all fat from pork chops.
Place olive oil, soy sauce,  garlic, and lemon pepper in a bag, mix.
Add pork chops, squish around until pork chops are covered.
Let sit on counter for an hour and a half.
Grill each side 6-8 minutes on low, or until no longer pink.


**** If you cook them at a high temperature, it will make them tougher, and less moist.

French Bread

The other night I made homemade spaghetti and wanted bread.
French bread, in particular.
Mostly because that happens to be my husbands favorite bread.
Of course, me being me......
I just had to try my hand at making my own.
Best decision I have ever made!!!
It turned out so amazing!
Oh... and there was even an entire loaf left over for the next day for sandwiches.

How delicious do those look??!!!

Here's my recipe, now go make it and enjoy!


Ingredients:

• 5 1/2 - 6 C. Flour
• 2 Tbsp. Honey
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 Tbsp. Active Yeast
• 2 1/2 C. Warm Water (closer to cold than hot)
• 1 Egg White
• 1 Tbsp. Water

Directions:

In a standing mixing bowl, with a dough hook, add water (2 1/2 Cups), yeast, and honey.
Wait about 5-10 minutes for it to become foamy.
Stir in salt.
Add flour (turn on mixer at this point),  a little at a time, until no longer sticky.
Lay down wax paper and knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes.
Form a ball, place into an olive oil greased bowl, and covered with a towel.
Let it rise for 20-30 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size.
Separate the ball into two even pieces.
Roll them each out, one at a time, on a floured surface.
Both should be rolled out into a 9x13 rectangle shape.
Roll them up and pinch ends.
Lay them seam down on parchment paper.
Cut 3 diagonal slices about 1/2 inch into each roll on the top. 

Mix your egg white and tbsp of water in a cup.
Brush a layer on top of your bread. (You won't need to use it all)

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Mini Frittatas

Mini frittatas to me are like having your own personal little omelet that you know you aren't to going to mess up. Honestly, I have never tried to make an omelet. Simple because my husband has mastered those and who doesn't love it when their significant other cooks for them?

These are super easy and quick to make. They also go great with hash browns and fruit.

Ingredients:

• 8 Eggs
• 1/2 c. Milk
• Salt and Pepper
• 4 oz. Thinly Sliced Ham, choppped
• 4 oz. Cooked Bacon, chopped
• 1/3 c. Grated Parmesan or Cheese of Preference
• 2-3 tbsp. Spinach, thawed and chopped.

Preheat oven to 375. Grease muffin pan with Crisco.

Whisk egg, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until blended.
Stir in ham, bacon, cheese, and spinach.
Pour into muffin cups using a measuring cup until it's almost to the top (not all the way because the eggs will fluff)

Bake 8-12 minutes or until egg is no longer runny.

Serve with ketchup, salsa, or eat them by themselves.

Tex-Mex Goulash

 When I was younger, I hated goulash. Was not my thing at ALL.

 Well.... this is nothing like your typical goulash! 

(The leftovers are just as good as the first time too)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. shells (I used to make it with elbow macaroni noodles but found shells to taste better)
• 1 lb. Ground Sirloin
• 1/2 sweet onion, diced
• 2 cups. tomato juice
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning
• 1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Sweet Corn, drained
• 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella
• Sour Cream

Prepare noodles according to package. (Do Not Rinse Noodles)

In the meantime, saute the sirloin and onion in a (large) skillet until meat is browned and onions are translucent.
Drain any grease, if there is any.
Add tomato juice and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Once done, add noodles, corn, beans, and cheese. If you don't have a large skillet, I would suggest putting everything in a pot. Allow to simmer 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese has melted. (Stirring occasionally)

**** If too dry, add more tomato juice.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, stir well.
Or even some black olives.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breast, cubed
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4-1/2 c. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 3-4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Jar Bertolli Garlic Alfredo Sauce
• Mozzarella Cheese (about 1 cup)
• Parmesan Cheese (about 1/2 cup)

Directions:

• In a large saucepan melt butter over med heat. 
• Stir in minced garlic, chicken breast, and spinach... cook until chicken is well done and set aside. 
• Having your pizza dough ready, pour half of the alfredo sauce onto the dough and spread it out evenly. 
•  Sprinkle cheese on top of alfredo sauce (if you prefer more sprinkle away).
• Take the chicken mixture and place evenly on top of cheese. 
• Don't forget to sprinkle your bacon crumbs too!
• Bake @500 for 9 minutes or until dough is fully cooked and slightly browned.