Asparagus and Potato Pizza

I've made this pizza many times and each time it's to high praise, not that I'm bragging or anything. What I love about pizza in general is that just about anything goes. This recipe calls for potatoes.......if that didn't scare you away, good! Bookmark this post, it's a keeper.

I have to credit the origins of my creation, head over to the Kraft website.

Ingredients 
2 to 3 red potatoes (aka New potatoes)

Pizza dough (you can make your own or buy premade dough) - I used Pillsbury Pizza crust
1 clove  garlic, minced

3 Tbsp.  olive oil
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4l to 1/2 lb.  fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, cut lengthwise in half (optional), then crosswise into 3-inch lengths
2Tbsp.  Shredded Parmesan Cheese
3oz.  Cream Cheese (1/3 less fat)

Directions 
1. Heat oven to 400ºF or according to your pizza dough recipe's directions. 
2. Cook potatoes in boiling water 15 min. or just until tender. (Do not overcook.) Drain potatoes; rinse with cold water to cool completely. Drain potatoes again; cut into thin slices 
3. Roll Pizza Dough into desired shape. Press onto baking sheet or pizza pan. Stretching dough as necessary to fit. Let stand 10 min. 
4. Pre-bake Pizza Dough for 4 minutes
Meanwhile, mix garlic and oil. 

5. Spread pizza crust with half the garlic oil; top with mozzarella. Toss asparagus with remaining garlic oil; spread over pizza. Top with potatoes, Parmesan and cream cheese, broken into pieces. 
6. Bake 10 min. or until crust is golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining onions

 

Pillsbury Pizza Crust - I used my Silpat (you could use a greased baking sheet, pizza pan or pizza stone)

Clearly, shape doesn't matter. Prebake or according to your pizza dough directions.

Base layer - Olive oil and garlic

Enjoying our pizza by the fire! A perfect appetizer or main entree with a salad.

 

Delicious Homemade Croutons

Never buy boxed croutons again! I love the idea of homemade anything and these are seriously fool proof! Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients:
-olive oil
-leftover bread: French, sourdough, etc
-spices: cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper. Get creative :)
-sheet pan

Directions:
1. Preheat oven: 400-425 deg F.
2. Cut your bread of choice into small bite sized pieces and blace into a large bowl
3. Drizzle with olive oil and toss/coat
4. Season to taste with your herbs/spices of choice. Avoid salt, you don't need it!
5. Toss the bread again and transfer to your baking sheet
6. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, and you're done!
Note: if you want crunchier croutons turn them at 6 minutes and bake for another 6. I like 10 minutes because they are crisp on the outside but still a little "bready" when you bite into them, yum!

Use in salads immediately or store and use within 3-5 days.

Rosemary Chicken w/Goat Cheese...

It was 6pm and I had no idea what to make for dinner. I took note of my ingredients available and came up with something very delicious and on the table within 45 minutes.

Rosemary Chicken w/Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

 List of Ingredients
-Nonstick cooking spray
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-Dried or fresh rosemary
-Garlic Powder
-Ground Black Pepper
-Goat Cheese
-Balsamic Vinegar

 Directions
1. Spray large frying pan with cooking spray and preheat
3. In a separate saucepan, place 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and heat to boiling, turn down heat to simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Turn off heat once the vinegar is reduced by 1/2.
Place chicken into a large plastic ziploc bag . Carefully flatten out chicken using a kitchen mallet or other heavy object.
4. Remove chicken from bag and place onto cutting board.
5. Season the chicken with pepper, garlic powder and rosemary.
6. Place chicken into pan, and cook for 3 minutes. Turn chicken and drizzle with some Olive Oil and balsamic reduction, reserve about 1/4 cup for plating.
7.  Cover pan and cook for 5-10 more minutes or until cooked through.
8 . Arrange chicken onto plate, top with goat cheese and drizzle with the balsamic reduction.
9. Pair it with your favorite side
10. Enjoy!


Fingerling Potatoes

List of Ingredients
 -Fingerling potatoes, the more colorful the better (purple, red, brown - don't use Idahoan baking potatoes)
-Olive Oil
-Garlic powder, pepper, rosemary, other spices (avoid ones with sodium/salt)

Directions
1. Wash all potatoes under cool running water, dry
2. Cut potatoes into coins
3. Wash asparagus
4. Cut asparagus in half and combine with fingerlings
5. Mix in Olive Oil, spices and place in oven (375 deg F) to cook for 20 minutes.
6. Pair with your favorite entree or add to a salad, eat by itself or share with a friend!