Strawberry Balsamic Bacon Pizza

This was a pizza I made in 2012!!  When I was organizing my blog I saw it and thought I would give it another try tonight.  Martin2 and his friend Kaitlin along with Paige enjoyed this Simple and Delicious pizza.  It is funny, the last time I made this pizza was 3 years ago. Maybe I should organize my blog more often!

Strawberry Balsamic Bacon Pizza
(slightly adapted recipe from  Annie’s Eats blog)

Sauce

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1 Tablespoon Sriracha Chili Sauce

Ingredients for pizza

Pizza Dough
Olive Oil, for brushing
8 slices bacon (cut into 1/2 inch pieces, cooked until crisp)
1 small yellow or vidalia onion
Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup freshly, grated Parmesan Cheese
2-3 Tablespoons fresh parsley
1/2 cup diced strawberries

Directions

1.  Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan over medium high heat.  Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let cook 3-4 minutes or until reduced by about have with a thick, syrupy texture.  I usually take off the heat after the 3-4 minute time period.  As the sauce cools it thickens.  (That is my experience at least.) In a small bowl, combine the balsamic reduction, strawberry jam and sriracha chili sauce.  Set Aside.

2.  To make the pizza, preheat oven to 475 degrees.  Be sure to preheat pizza stone for at least 30 minutes.  Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-14 inch round.  Lightly brush perimeter of the dough with olive oil.  Spread the balsamic-strawberry mixture in a thin layer over the crust (You may not use all of it, I didn’t)  Layer with the bacon, strawberries, cheeses, onion and parsley. (I carmalized the onions and totally forgot to put them on the pizza.  I guess I will use them on a burger!  Next time I will add them. The pizza was still awesome!)

3.  Transfer pizza to oven onto stone.  Bake until cheese is melted and crust is lightly browned, about 12-14 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing and serving.  Enjoy this simple and delicious pizza!

LOVED it!!  Simple and Delicious.  Give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.  🙂

Fruit Pizza

This is a huge hit in our home.  EVERYONE loves this dessert pizza.  I have posted this recipe before but wanted to update.  It’s that time of year with the farmer’s market and all.  A simple and delicious recipe for you to share with  your  family.  Enjoy!

Fruit Pizza

I was going for 4th of July but couldn’t resist more color!!

You start with a sugar cookie dough.  I happen to make my own and roll it out into a huge sugar cookie.  You could also use a premade sugar cookie dough, too.

Sugar Cookie

2 cups (10 ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1.  Preheat oven 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray with non stick cooking spray).  I use parchment paper all the time.  LOVE it!
2.  Using stand up mixer (or you can do by hand or with electric mixer) cream butter, sugar and brown sugar at medium speed.  Add egg and vanilla, beat at medium speed until combines.  Add dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down bowl as needed.
3.  Take out dough and shape into a ball.  Either by hand or using a rolling pin, roll or push out dough into a circular shape (like a pizza) until about 1/2 to 1/4 inch thick.  I push out by hand then I top with a piece of wax paper and use the rolling pin to roll out to a 12-14 inch circular shape.
4.  Rack should be in middle position.  Place cookie sheet in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  Edges will be golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside.

Fruit Pizza

1  8 ounce package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh strawberries (sliced), blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, bananas, kiwi, oranges.  Whatever combination of fruit you desire.

Mix the first three ingredients until well combined.

When cookie dough is at room temperature, top with cream cheese mixture.  Arrange your fruit on top as you desire.  I guarantee you will not have any leftovers with this pizza!!

Spinach Salad with all kinds of delicious ingredients!!

Martin and I drove to Syracuse this weekend.  We decided last year to start taking annual road trips.  Syracuse has been the destination the last 2 years.  We like to chat for our 15 hour drive – one way! 🙂  When I get there I can spend time with my parents.  He joins me or hangs with some friends he has made there.

My mom and dad live at an assisted living facility.  My mom is not a fan of the food there. This visit I asked if she would like me to make something for her.  She requested Coconut Macaroons.  She also mentioned stuffed peppers.  I ended up making dinner on Saturday evening at Tony’s home.  The menu I thought she would enjoy was Grilled Poblano Peppers, Spinach Salad and Strawberry Parfait.  (I did bring macaroons but gave those to her when I arrived.)  We had a very nice time and I enjoyed being able to have a chance to make my parents a simple and delicious meal.   Talk about simple – the salad was just that!!

Spinach Salad with Roasted Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts  and Strawberries

6 ounce bag of spinach
1cup strawberries, sliced (more if you like)
8 spears of roasted asparagus, cut into 1″ pieces
8 roasted brussels sprouts, sliced thinly
Add toasted nuts, if you desire

Dressing

3 Tablespoons olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon honey

Directions

Place ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk. ( I put in a small mason jar and shook the ingredients together.)  Mix with spinach, strawberries, brussels sprouts and asparagus.  You will LOVE this salad.  Give it a try!