Sunday, November 25, 2012

Veggie Pizza Pie

I did not feel like cooking last night.  I decided to make my family something quick, a Pizza.  You are probably smiling now, there is no such a thing as a quick pizza, well you would be wrong.  Please, refer to my Fresh Pizza Dough post, only that this time I used unbleached bread flour.  Things we learn in the process. 

Like I said, I did not feel like cooking, so I went to my freezer to see what was there for my pizza and I found a package of frozen mushrooms and a package frozen of mixed vegetables. 

Ingredients:
Ready for the oven
  • 1 cup of mushrooms
  • 1 cup of mixed vegetables
  • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon of Sicilian Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup of crushed tomatoes, Italian style -you can buy it at the store-
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese




Directions: 
Yummy Veggie Pizza Pie





   
  1. Preheat the over 400 F. -the hotter the oven the better- 
  2. Work on your dough to get it any shape you would like, it does not have to be perfect.  
  3. Mix Olive oil with the Sicilian Seasoning and brush it on your dough. 
  4. Spoon on the crushed tomatoes, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, the veggies.
  5. Place the dough and bake for 20 minutes*. Towards the end sprinkle the mozzarella cheese.
*baking time varies from oven to oven.




This did not take me long.  If you choose to make my pizza dough recipe, you will have two extra pizza pies for a later day.  Your family will thank you.

Buon Appetito!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Fudge Espresso Brownies


Who does not like chocolate? I know at home we are crazy about it! Brownies is a dessert that I discovered when I came to this country and I tell you, what a treat! 

I found this recipe in one of the cooking magazines I have, but, like with almost everything I do, I changed it a little bit.  
Ingredients:
Fudge Espresso mix
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 2.5oz unsweetened chocolate 
  • 1 tablespoon instant-espresso powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar (I used Splenda)*
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • a few drops of a secret ingredient                                                                                                                            
Directions:
Ready for the oven
Fudge Espresso Brownies   

              
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Grease 13- by 9-inch baking pan. 
  2. Melt butter and chocolate with espresso powder in a heavy saucepan over low heat, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm. Whisk in sugar and vanilla and secret ingredient. Whisk in eggs 1 at a time until mixture is glossy and smooth.
  3. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt, then whisk into chocolate mixture. Spread batter in pan and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.

* If you are using regular sugar use 1 cup














Please enjoy this delicious dessert.  You won't regret it.  There is no wrong way of doing it so be creative, improvise.

Buon Appetito


Monday, November 12, 2012

Vegetable juice and Oatmeal: A healthy breakfast!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, no doubt.  How do you like the first meal of your day to be?  The answer varies from culture to culture.  However,  it is important to treat our bodies to healthy and hearty meals.  Remember, our body is our temple and through good food we can protect it.

I will give you today a very healthy breakfast, one for champions.

Vegetable juice


Ingredients:
La bomba
  • 1 Small beet
  • 1/4 Cabbage
  • Bunch of watercress
  • Half a pear
  • 1 pealed lime 

Directions:

Turn on your juicer and wait a couple of minutes so the blades can adjust.  Rinse your vegetables, then simply put them one by one through your juicer's mouth and voilà.



**I highly recommend that you invest in a juicer, in case you do not have one, there are good ones in the market today.  The reason for this recommendation is because when you juice your fruits and vegetables you are drinking pure vitamins, phytonutrients, which are necessary for sustaining human life. 

Oatmeal or how I like to call it "A bowl of goodness"

Ingredients:
A bowl of goodness
  • 1/2 cup of whole grain oats -old fashioned-              
  • 1 cup of soy milk
  • 2 tsps of brown sugar-I use splenda-      
  • a pinch of salt- optional-
 Directions:
  • In a saucepan boil the soy milk with the salt and brown sugar
  • Stir in the whole grain oats
  • Cook about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally 
  • Sprinkle cinnamon.

I hope you enjoy this breakfast for champions.  It was what my body was asking for today!

Buon appetito!