Pizza in a Crock Pot?

Well maybe not pizza in the traditional sense but this is an easy fondue to do which you could use for dinner or as an appetizer at a large party. I also think you could switch out some of the ingredients depending on what your favorite type of pizza is.  Get creative ... I love fondue because you can have as much or as little as you want. You can keep it warming all night and pick at it in small doses. This particular recipe makes 20-25 servings and truthfully with all the meat can be a little bit of a heartburn creator so keep the Tums handy. It's so worth it!

Pizza Fondue

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage                   1 c. chopped onion           1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes   
2 jars (26 oz each) tomato sauce         4 oz. thin sliced ham, finely chopped    
3 oz. sliced pepperoni, finely chopped 1 lb. mozzarella, cut in 3/4 in cubes 
1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

Directions:

1. Cook sausage and onion in large skillet over medium high heat until sausage is browned, stirring to break up meat. Drain the fat.
2. Transfer to crock pot.
3. Stir in pasta sauce, ham, pepperoni and red pepper flakes.
4. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours.
5. Serve fondue with cheese and bread cubes.

As always, have fun!

Food Phobia

How many of you out there have stories about the one food you just can't stand? Or perhaps the time some tricked you into trying something you thought you hated, only to find out it was really yummy? Or maybe you just have a list of "no way" foods because they just sound, look or smell gross to you? Yes, you guessed it; you have food phobia!

My food phobias come from all sorts of places. I don't do Cheez-Its just because of the story of me eating too many of them when I was little and getting sick. All I have to do is smell them and it grosses me out. I also have a ton of foods I don't like because they are creamy. I truly believe having to eat oatmeal after it making me gag and my mom not believing that I wasn't faking it has helped contribute to that one. It's not all creamy foods - but oatmeal and mashed potatoes are still on my "no way" list.

One area where I've slowly come around is cooked vegetables. I used to be all about salad and carrot sticks and even raw string beans and peas. Nice and crunchy and tasty too! Now mind you, there's still some vegetables I won't eat but all in all, I've discovered I need to retry them now to know for sure. I think it all started with a tasting at the downtown Marriott with our incoming President Pat Williams. I wish I could remember exactly what soup they served but it was totally delish! It has some sort of bean in it and I'm pretty sure it was cream of asparagus or artichoke or something equally weird. I loved it...she loved it...we served it at her Inaugural to rave reviews. My mom was stunned I ate it.

So here we are at tonight's recipe. I'll have plenty more that involve stuff no one ever thought I'd like, but I thought I'd start with a pizza. For my friends who are picky eaters or have kids who are picky eaters, a pizza is a great way to throw some toppings on that you want to try but you don't want to "ruin" your meal if you don't like them. You cut your vegetables or meats in small pieces that can be easily picked off if absolutely necessary, but I bet you won't!

White Pizza with Artichoke Hearts

Ingredients:
1 c. mozzarella         1/4 c. chopped onion       1 tsp. minced garlic        1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. oregano       1/2 tsp. cumin                   1/4 tsp. paprika              1/8 tsp. black pepper
8 cherry tomatoes    14.75 oz. marinated artichoke hearts, drained        1 c. feta cheese
3/4 c. swiss                2 oz. sliced havarti          1 tbsp. basil                    1 pizza crust

Directions:

1. Prepare and measure all ingredients.
2. Oil a large cookie sheet or pizza pan and dust with cornmeal.
3. Spread prepared crust evenly.
4. Sprinkle mozzarella. 
5. Saute onion and garlic in oil about 3 minutes.
6. Stir in seasonings and then sprinkle over cheese.
7. Quarter the tomatoes and spread both them and the artichoke hearts next.
8. Layer with feta, swiss and havarti.
9. Sprinkle basil all over.
10. Bake at 400 for 8 - 10 minutes until crust is lightly brown and cheeses are all melted.

I have to confess. This is my version of the recipe. There are some of my food phobias I'm not quite ready to give up. The author recommends a 4.75 oz can of black olives too. I just can't do olives!

What foods do you hate? What do you love? What do you think you might want to give another chance?

As always, have fun!

Super Bowl Sweets

So I know you've been drooling all week over all these savory munchies. Did you forget one very important thing? Sweets! All the traditional foods you make on Super Bowl Sunday involve wings, dips, meatballs, etc. At the end of all that savory food, you may just want a bite of something sweet.

Frosted Brownie Pizza

Ingredients:

Crust:
1/2 c. butter (no substitutions)     2 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate     1 c. sugar
3/4 c. flour                                   2 eggs, beaten

Frosting:
1 c. confectionery sugar        1/3 c. peanut butter          1 1/2 tsp. vanilla     2-4 tbsp. milk

Topping:

Taste of Home suggestions the following, but honestly I think you could use whatever your favorite candy and nuts are - just make sure they are in bite size pieces.

3/4 c. plain M&Ms     1/2 c. flaked coconut, toasted     1/2 c. chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:

1. Melt butter, chocolate and sugar. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in flour until smooth.
3. Add eggs and beat until smooth.
4. Spread on a greased pizza pan.
5. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
6. In a mixing bowl, beat sugar, peanut butter, vanilla and milk.
7. Spread over brownie crust. 
8. Top with desired coconut, candy and nuts. 

Slice this up Donato's style and you have quick sweet bites to counter all the savory goodness of the day.

As always, have fun!

Super Bowl Pizza

I've focused on a lot of bite size foods and munchies for your Super Bowl experience. But, how about a good pizza? The staple of any good football fan's Sunday afternoon. I like a nice greasy cheesy pepperoni pizza as much as the next girl, but what I suggest is an interesting Asian type twist!

Hot & Spicy Orange Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. garlic & herb marinade     2 tbsp. orange juice     1/4 tsp. ginger         
1/4 tsp. red pepper sauce            8 oz. chicken breast     1 1/2 c. mozzarella      
1/4 c. green onion                        1/4 c. red onion            1 tbsp. cilantro                             pizza crust 

Directions:

1. Combine orange juice, ginger and pepper sauce. 
2. Take a tbsp. of the mixture and put it in a small bowl.
3. Coat chicken in that bowl.
4. Grill chicken over medium heat, covered, 12-15 minutes, turning once.
5. Brown your pizza crust in a 425 degree oven.
6. Slice chicken in 1/4 in. slices.
7. Brush more marinade on them and spread the remainder on the partially baked crust.
8. Sprinkle cheese over sauce and the onions over the cheese.
9. Arrange the chicken on top.
10. Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
11. Sprinkle with cilantro.

This light and flavorful pizza makes a great addition to any party or it can stand alone for dinner. Your choice. But just remember....

As always, have fun!          

New Year's Resolution

Ok, I know you are thinking – “Alyson, how can you post such great dessert recipes and then follow up with a question about my New Year’s resolution?” How many of you have already broken yours? Well if yours is to lose a few pounds, don’t despair. You can still cook fun, flavorful dishes that are healthy for you.

Today’s pizza recipe is a great recipe to help you keep on track.

Flat Bread Veggie Pizza with Garlic Aioli

Ingredients:

1/2 c. light mayo or Miracle Whip    4 flat breads or 2 Naan breads

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomato with garlic and olive oil, drained

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese     1 medium bell pepper

1 tbsp. fresh chopped basil

Directions:

1. Combine mayo and diced tomatoes to make the aioli.
2. Preheat oven to 425.
3. Spread layer of garlic aioli on the bread.
4. Sprinkle with bell pepper and top with cheese.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
6. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh basil.

If you have to have a protein on this pizza, you can add grilled chicken breast when you add the pepper. Or, change up the veggies. You can use a low fat cheese along with the light mayo to help keep it on the healthy side. Simple, healthy and yummy to boot! Could you ask for more?

As always, have fun!