Flat Bread Pizza

Delicious! We tried making pizza with flat bread for the first time last night. I think we will stick to this recipe for pizza making from now on. The crust is the perfect combination of crispy and moist. The interesting part is that this recipe is identical to my Ultimate Pizza Dough recipe, the only difference being that the bread is not kneaded, does not require as much rise time, and is SO much quicker. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Pictured below is our pizza from last night: a light layer of pizza sauce, fresh basil (straight out of our garden), tomatoes (our garden isn't yet producing these), and fresh mozzerella cheese.

Ingredients:

1 C warm water

1 package instant dry yeast

2 T sugar

2 T olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 -3 C flour

desired pizza toppings

Directions:

1. Mix warm water and yeast until frothy.
2. Allow to sit 5 minutes.
3. Add in sugar, salt, and oil.
4. Stir in flour, 1/2 C at a time. DO NOT KNEAD.

5. Cover bowl and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

6. Break dough into two equal portions.

7. Sprinkle cornmeal on countertop.

8. On counter, roll each portion into a 12" pizza.

9. Transfer to baking stone and brush with olive oil.

10. Bake at 425 F for 5 minutes.

11. Remove from oven and add desired toppings.

12. Bake at 425 F for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Makes two 12" pizzas.

Waffles

We eat waffles quite often, and this is our favorite recipe. If cooking fruit into the waffles (which I highly recommend!), pour batter into the waffle maker and add the fruit on top. Pictured below are our Red, White, and Blue Waffles that we made this year on the 4th of July.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp shortening (melted)

4 1/2 tsp sugar

1 egg

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 C flour

7/8 C milk

Directions:

1. Melt shortening in bowl.

2. Stir in sugar and egg.

3. Add baking powder and salt; mix completely.

4. Mix in 1/2 C flour.

5. Add milk.

6. Stir in remaining 1/2 C flour.

7. Top as desired.

Makes six 4" square waffles.

Cinnamon Balls

Cinnamon Balls are a cross between monkey bread and cinnamon rolls. They taste just like cinnamon rolls, but are several steps (and a ton of time) easier! The recipe for the dough is the same as my Yeast Rolls, but with a tad more sugar. The topping is a simple icing, not the super-sugary goo that often goes with monkey bread.

Ingredients:
1 C hot water
1/4 C margarine
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 C cold water
1 package instant dry yeast
2 3/4 C flour
1 egg

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2 Tbsp cinnamon

1/4 C sugar

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3 Tbsp butter (melted)

1 Tbsp milk

1 - 1 1/2 C powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Melt margarine in hot water.
2. Add sugar and salt. Stir.
3. Add cold water and yeast to water. Stir.
4. Add 1 1/2 C flour. Mix.
5. Add egg and 1 - 1 1/2 C more flour.
6. Knead dough.
7. Cover dough and let rise until it doubles in size.

8. Combine cinnamon and sugar.
9. Make walnut size balls of dough.

10. Roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture.

11. Place balls in a greased 9"x9" pan (stack as necessary).

12. Allow to rise 20-30 minutes in warm place.
13. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 45-45 minutes.
14. Make icing by combining final three ingredients.

15. Pour icing overtop warm cinnamon balls.

Serves 5-6.

Jello Cake

Jello Cake is a yummy summer dessert! The flavors of Jello and pudding can be varied to create endless combinations. Below, I used a pinapple-berry Jello and a coconut cream pudding. Raspberry Jello and lemon pudding is another of my favorite combinations. Any cake flavor can also be used; however, I normally stick to white.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix

1 small package Jello

3/4 C boiling water

1/2 C cold water

1 small box pudding

1 C milk

1 C Cool Whip

Directions:

1. Bake cake in 9"x13" pan as directed on box.

2. Using a chopstick (or anything of similar size), poke approximately 100 holes in the cake.

3. Allow to cool in refridgerator.

4. Combine Jello package and boiling water in bowl.

5. Stir until completely disolved.

6. Mix in cold water.

7. Spoon Jello mixture on top of cake, being sure to moisten all areas.

8. Chill 2-3 hours or overnight.

9. Mix together pudding package and milk.

10. Add in Cool Whip.

11. Spread pudding mixture on top of cake.

12. Top as desired with fresh fruit or coconut.

Serves 15-20.

Sicilian Meat Roll (Meatloaf)

Delicious! Meatloaf with an exciting twist. I like to eat it with ketchup. Mitch prefers A1 sauce.

Ingredients:

1 egg (beaten)

1/2 C bread crumbs

1/4 C tomato juice

1 Tbsp parsley

1/4 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp salt

1/5 tsp black pepper

1 small clove minced garlic

1 lb. ground beef

4 slices deli ham

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Combine egg, bread crumbs, tomato juice.

2. Add in parsley, oregano, salt, black pepper, and garlic.

3. Add ground beef and mix well.

4. Lay a sheet of wax paper (at least 12") on counter.

5. Form meatloaf into a 10"x12" shape on wax paper.

6. Arrange ham on top.

7. Sprinkle 4 oz. cheese on ham.

8. Roll up meat (from short end).

9. Place meatloaf on greased baking sheet or pan.

10. Bake at 350 F for one hour.

11. Sprinkle 4 oz cheese on top.

12. Bake an additional 5 minutes.

Serves 4-6.

Rotel

This is a super-easy dip that is always quickly eaten up! Great add-ins include fresh cilantro, ground beef, chicken, ground cumin, or beans.

Ingredients:

16 oz Velveeta cheese

1 can (8 oz) Rotel (diced tomatoes & chilies)

Directions:

1. Dice Velveeta into small pieces and place in bowl.

2. Microwave 2 minutes.

3. Stir in can of Rotel (do NOT drain).

4. Microwave 2 minutes.

5. Stir.

6. Microwave until smooth and creamy.

7. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Serves 8-10.