Whole Wheat and Honey Pizza Dough

Courtesy of AllRecipes.

Below is exactly how I did it. I only adjusted the resting time for the dough, the baking time, and oven degrees. The ingredients, I didn't change a thing.

Whole Wheat and Honey Pizza Dough

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp)
1 cup warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey


DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl combine flour, wheat germ and salt. Make a well in the middle and add honey and yeast mixture. Stir well to combine. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The dough will rise while the yeast is still warm.

After the dough has rested for while, roll dough on a floured pizza pan and poke a few holes in it with a fork.

Bake in 425 degree preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and add toppings. Bake for another 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown!

For the orginal directions, click here.

Blondie!

Ingredients:
Dough
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour, sifted
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or more if desired)
1/3 cup butter or margarine (melted)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Maple Butter Sauce
3/4 cup maple syrup ( I highly recommend using REAL maple syrup )
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

Dough
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add baking powder, baking soda and salt to the already sifted flour. Then sift dry ingredients again.
Add chopped nuts and mix well. Set aside.

Add brown sugar to melted butter and mix well. Then add egg and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Add flour mixture, a little at a time, until mixed well.
Stir in white chocolate chips. Spread out dough in a 9-inch pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Use a toothpick or fork to test if it is cooked in the center.
Serve warm with ice cream and Maple Butter Sauce.

Maple Butter Sauce

In a pan, add real maple syrup and butter, cook over low heat until butter is melted. Next, stir in brown sugar until completely dissolved. If you desire, add walnuts.

Enjoy !

Home made Hostess Cupcakes

I found these here. And they made me instantly love that blog. They are delicious. Just looking at the ingredients you will see why. I eased it up a bit for me and used a devils food cake mix and in place of the water and oil used melted butter and buttermilk.

They were sooo good.

For some reason its giving me trouble posting the recipe, so just click here.

Potato Cheese Soup

One look at the ingredients will be enough to tell you that this is a very tasty soup. I made some bread bowls using Rhodes dough (about 3 bowls from one loaf of bread). While the dough is partially frozen, cut into thirds and shape into round dough balls. Let rise several hours, until it reaches the desired size, and bake for about 20 minutes at 350.

Potato Cheese Soup

6 to 8 large baking potatoes
2 cups milk (I used fat free Half and Half because I had some left over)
4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup flour
2/3 cup butter
8-12 strips bacon, cooked
1 cup sour cream
8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Bake potatoes until soft, then peel. Mash or cube the potatoes depending on the desired consistency for the soup.

In a large soup pot, combine butter and flour to make a roux. Cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the liquids.

Add salt and pepper, potatoes, cooked bacon, and cheese. At the last minute, stir in the sour cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

(Next time I would definitely add some more vegetables, maybe carrots and celery, so I could feel a little better about the rest of the soup.)

Strawberry-Spinach Salad

1 bag Spinach leaves
1/2 c of sliced Almonds (amount to preference)
1 pkg of fresh sliced strawberries
2 fresh lemon
1/2 c sugar
olive oil

Almonds: The morning of, mix 1/4 c. sugar with a little water. Heat a few seconds and coat your almonds in it. After coating spread on a sheet of wax paper and let dry.

Dressing: 1/4 c sugar, 4-5 T of FRESH lemon juice and 1 T Olive Oil. (I really don't measure the lemon juice. I just squeeze the lemon over the sugar and mix until it is a good consistency for dressing.

Layer (bottom to top):
Spinach Leaves
Sliced Strawberries
Glazed Almonds

Pour dressing over the top and serve!

Crock Pot Tortilla Soup

I made this the other day and it was big hit with the whole fam. Super easy and fun for a cold day!

2 chicken breasts
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (I used one can tomatoes)
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 mild green chile, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 corn tortillas, halved and cut into 1/4 inch strips
shredded Monterey Jack cheese, a little for each serving
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or
Italian parsley

Preparation:

Combine chicken breasts, onion, garlic. Cook until chicken is no longer pink. Put in crock pot and add tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper and green chiles. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours. Heat oil in large skillet and add tortilla strips. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towels. If desired, put a tablespoon or 2 of shredded Monterey Jack cheese in each serving bowl. Ladle tortilla soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips; sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley (I added the cilantro about a half hour before serving--I like the flavor it gave the soup).

Best Cupcakes

You will probably hate me for posting this because once you try them, you will want to make them everyday (just ask my sisters!!) They are so easy and by far the best cupcakes I have ever had!!

1 box chocolate cake (devils food works best)
1 small box chocolate or vanilla pudding (I like vanilla)
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup warm water
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes 24-30 cupcakes (depending on size).

Although they are great without frosting (and they stay so moist), they are great sprinkled with powdered sugar or my new fav, whipped cream and drizzled caramel. Enjoy!!