Homemade Pizza Night

 Last night we had make your own pizza night. I have to say these were the best pizzas I have made. Little missie used pepperoni, olives and mushrooms for her pizza.

 I used my tomato sauce that I canned this past summer and added a little tomato paste in to thicken it up. We had olives, mushrooms, onions, grape tomatoes, garlic, sausage and pepperoni (nitrate free) and cheese.

 This was my pizza with sausage, mushrooms, olives, grape tomatoes, garlic with a little olive oil drizzled on top.

 I made my own pizza crust. Very simple recipe:

2 tsp. yeast

1 cup warm water

1 tsp salt

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cup white flour (I used bread flour)

Let the yeast and water sit for 5 minutes, add the salt and flour 1 cup at a time. I use the dough attachment on my Kitchen Aid to knead the dough. Put in a greased bowl and until it rises (It took about 1 1/2 hours since it was cold).

Preheat oven and pizza stones to 475 degrees. Make sure you put on your fan!

I baked the crust for 5 minutes before putting the toppings on the pizza to make a crispier crust. I used preheated pizza stones.

 My meat lover had sausage and pepperoni on his pizza.

The kids love to make their own pizza and it is a lot healthier than delivery. 

Meal Plan Saturday

Sunday- BBQ rubbed pork chops, garlic smashed potatoes and spinach salad

Monday- BBQ pork quesadillas with corn and black bean salsa

Tuesday- Beef stroganoff

Wednesday- Chipotle-lime chicken with Jamaican rice

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Beef brisket, baked potatoes, corn bread and green beans

Saturday- Asian Meatball subs with a spicy bean sprout salad

Things I am happy that my mom taught me!

My mom taught my sister and I life skills and common sense!

By elementary school my sister and I were washing dishes (by hand), basic skills in the kitchen and cleaning our rooms.

In junior high I learned how to iron and tie a tie. It was the 80's, so yes, I wore ties (what was I thinking)!

By high school my mom would give my sister and I money and a grocery list and we would go grocery shopping. My sister and I were responsible for making dinner a couple times a week. She would leave out the recipe and spices etc...and dinner would be made by the time she got home from work (she worked full-time). Whoever did not cook, would clean up the dishes.

Every Saturday morning we would have basic chores and could not do anything until they were done (usually took 45 minutes).

She would give us her credit card (I know) and give us a limit and let us do our own school clothes shopping. The rules were set in stone and we did not break those rules! We liked the freedom and did not want it taken away.

She would let us go and get our hair cuts without her (until I shaved part of my hair in 8th grade)!

She gave us the freedom to learn and for this I am grateful!

Meal Plan Sunday

I've got to get back into the swing of things and make dinner every night. It has been fun, but time to get back on a schedule.

Sunday- Hong Kong noodles (chicken and veggie stir fry with noodles)

Monday- Spaghetti and meatballs

Tuesday- Fish tacos

Wednesday- Chicken sandwiches

Thursday- Kids are staying the night at the in-laws and I have class that night..booo....

Friday- Out to dinner

Saturday- Chicken enchiladas, beans, rice, chips and guacamole with all the fixings and chocolate cake. Celebrating Chris' b-day early with friends since it falls during the week.

Dog Biscuits

I made dog biscuits for our dogs and the neighbors dog for Christmas. They were very easy to make and the dogs love them! I thought next year I will make a couple of batches and give them out to all of our neighbors with dogs. This makes a cute gift!

1 cup water

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup butter

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt
1 egg

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/3 cup peanut butter

3 cups whole wheat flour

Glaze:
1 egg
2 tbsp milk

1. Boil water and add rolled oats and butter, turn off burner

and let sit for 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients until it becomes stiff like dough.

3. Put on a floured surface and knead for 3 minutes adding flour if needed.

4. Roll out 1/2" thick and top with egg wash.

5. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-45 minutes.
6. Cool completely.

Gingerbread boy and girl cookies

 I wanted to make gingerbread cookies today and decorate them. Here is the before and after pictures of them.

I thought I would have fun decorating the cookies a little differently.

I took marshmallows and cut them in half. Then I dipped the sticky side into sprinkles and glued them on using frosting. They were very time consuming to make, but cute.

Caramel and Almond Heavenly Cookies

Caramel and Almond Heavenly CookiesI had these cookies at a cookie exchange and they were soooo good. This recipe is super simple, fast and good.

First line your cookie sheet with foil. Line up 12 graham crackers and add 1 cup of marshmallows. In a saucepan, melt 3/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon and melt together. Once it is melted and sugar has dissolved, take off the heat and add 1 tsp. of vanilla. Pour mixture over the graham crackers and marshmallows.

Add 1 cup of sliced almonds, 1 cup of coconut and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Put them in a preheated oven set at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes.

Take them out and cool completely. Cut each square in half to form triangles.

I made these for hubby and he loved them (and so do I)!