Week of Jan 17, 2916

Sun Pepperoni Pizza
Mon Mushroom Risotto 

Mushroom Risotto with Peas

Tue Dirty Rice with Sausage
Wed Swiss Steak
Thur Stir Fry noodles
Fri Potato Hash with Sausage
Sat Chicken Cacciatore

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
dough (for 2 pizzas):
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp salt2 tbsp olive oil plus 2 tsp to bush on crust
3/4 warm (about 100-110F) water
1 tsp (about 1/4 oz or 1 packet) dry active yeast
2 cups AP flour (or 1 cup AP and 1 cup Whole Wheat)
corn meal for dusting pan


toppings (for 2 pizzas):
2 cups pizza or pasta sauce
2 cup pepperoni slices
3-4 cups shredded mozzerella cheese
2-4 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Place yeast, sugar and warm water in a small bowl. Stir. Allow the yeast to work, let stand 5 minutes or until a foam forms on top. (NOTE: If this does not happen after 10 min, the yeast may have been bad, or the water may have been to hot so the yeast may be dead, or if water is too cold it doesn't activate.) 
.Place flour and salt in a bowl of a mixer. Stir together Using the paddle attachment. Add the oil to the yeast mixture., Start the mixer on low and mix until the dough just comes together, forming a ball. Lube the hook attachment with cooking spray. Attach the hook to the mixer and knead for 15 minutes on medium speed. Take out of  bowl. Roll into a ball. Grease a large, clean, mixing bow. Place the dough in the greased bowl, cover, and allow to rest and rise for an hour.

Separate the dough into 2 halves. If not baking the remaining pizza immediately, spray the inside of a ziptop bag with cooking spray and place the dough ball into the bag. Refrigerate for up to 6 days. Knead the dough for 5-15 minutes, or until it is stretchy and does not break easy.

Preheat oven to 475F. Roll out the dough, either by stretching it with your hands, or if your not that brave, use a rolling pin. Roll/stretch the dough until it is thin as you like. Lay on parchment paper. Dress and bake the pizza immediately for a crisp crust or rest the dough for 30 minutes if you want a chewy, bread-like texture.

Brush the rim of the pizza with olive oil. Spread the pizza sauce evenly onto the pizza. Put on toppings. Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone or pan, bake for 7 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. 

PAN PIZZA (pic to left)- push the dough into a greased 9 inch pie plate. Sauce, top, and bake as above, except bake for 20 minutes or until crust on sides are golden brown. Serve in pan or pull out of pan and cut.

"Dirty Rice" with Sausage
2 cups Minute Rice
1 can spicy chili with beans (your favorite brand, or 1 cup homemade 3 bean chili)
1 package (14 oz) andouille sausage
1 3/4 cup chicken broth

Cook sausage according to package directions,
Meanwhile, combine broth and chili in stock pot with lid. Bring to boil on high, then add in rice. Bring back to boil then place on lid. Turn off heat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Slice sausage and add to rice. Serve.

Easy "Swiss Steak"

4 steaks (cheap ones are fine, high quality steak - is NOT necessary for this recipe)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 pkt onion soup mix (OR mushroom gravy powdered mix)

1 1/2 can water 

Thickener (if needed) 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour mixed together.

Mix soups and water together in a 9x13 pan, put in steaks. Make sure to cover the steaks with the liquid.

Cover pan with foil, bake 350F for 3 hours. Checking liquid level (make sure all the water didn't evaporate) every hour.

If the baking liquid is lumpy stir to combine. Stir in thickener if needed. Taste gravy, add salt and pepper as necessary. Serve liquid as gravy over steaks and mashed potatoes. We like seasoned green beans as a side.

Stir Fry Noodles
1 lb of your favorite stir fry meat sliced thin (chicken, pork, whole shrimp, beef, etc)
2 tbsp of Asian seasoning OR 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp hoisin sauce (found in Asian isle at grocery store)
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp oil for cooking meat

Beef Stir Fry Noodles

1 tbsp fresh ground ginger

 1 bell pepper, sliced
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1/2 lb snow peas
1 can water chesnuts, drained
2 carrots,sliced
2 (3 oz) packages Ramen noodles - discard seasoning packets

Add oil into large skillet or wok. Add veggies and cook until almost done on medium heat, add meat and raise heat to medium-high, cook until cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook noodles in boiling water from 3 mintues, drain.
Add seasoning and noodles to meat/veggies. Stir and heat through. Serve.

3 Potato Hash with Basil Pesto

Potato Hash
Ingredients
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 small onion, diced 
1 bell pepper, small diced
Salt and Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled, small diced 
Directions. In a large skillet (I like cast iron), over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, peppers, and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until golden, and potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.  Serve with toast and cooked sausage links or a poached egg (optional).

Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves or thighs (about 2-3 lbs)

1 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 tbsp capers

2 carrots, sliced

1/2 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste

Directions

Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Brown chicken in 2 tbsp oil in an oven safe pot. Remove chicken after skin is browned. Add veggies to pot and cook until onions are soft. Place chicken back and add other ingredients. Bring to boil then set in a 350F oven for 2 hours, or until chicken is fork tender. Serve with pasta or rice.

Slow cooker directions: Place ingredients in Slow Cooker. Cook on High for 6 hours, stirring occasionally and checking fluid level. If the liquid gets too low, add more broth.