Pizza lovers

I have to say that I love pizza and I am pretty picky about my pizza (Therefore, I only like to eat pizza I make or from Barro's)

First:

start off with your favorite pizza dough recipe, if you don't have one: here's a simple one used for the bread/dough machine:

- 1 cup water

- 3 cups bread flour

-1 1/2 Tbsp dry milk

-2 tsp sugar

-1 1/4 tsp salt

- 2 tsp butter

- 1 tsp fast rise yeast

(this makes 1 large pizza)

put ingredients in machine in order. once finished, place in a greased bowl. cover with plastic and towel for 45 min.

roll out the dough to desired size and thickness onto pizza sheet.

sprinkle corn meal onto sheet before dough.

prick dough w/ a fork

Preheat oven 400 degrees and cook for 15-20 min.

TOPPINGS:

first, I made garlic butter and spread over entire dough:

(butter, garlic, parsley)

- pizza sauce

- cheese (mozzarella is best)

- sliced tomatoes

- sliced zuchinni

- pepperoni

- gorganzola cheese sprinkled on top

- olives (optional)

- pizza seasoning: oregano, basil, marjoram

Pasta w/ creamy steak sauce and Garlic Bread

This pasta dish is super easy.. and the garlic bread, just delicious.
So, cook any kind of pasta you like or have for that matter.
I like to add italian seasonings to the boiling water w/ the pasta (the grinder kind)

The sauce:
I cut up a fillet Mignon in tiny little pieces. added diced onions to the pan. season the fillet with seasoning salt (I use gourmet season salt by gonga breath). let cook for just a minute
add your pasta sauce : this can be any kind of tomato sauce, whether homemade or from a jar (classico or bertoli are the only ones I will buy).
dice 1 tomato in tiny pieces, add to the sauce (as you are adding them, mush them in your hands).
add Alfredo sauce (again homemade or jar)
add heavy whipping cream (just a little)
add some grated mozzarella cheese
simmer covered.

Garlic Bread :
here's the good part..
I used Swiss braided bread.. yummy, they deliver it to my door every week for only $3! (but you can use any kind.. except sandwich bread..unacceptable)
butter (I use the bremmel yogurt kind) about 1-2 tbsp
cream cheese or laughing cow Swiss cheese triangles (about 1/2 tbsp or 1 of the triangles)
grated mozzarella cheese, just a couple grates
grated Parmesan roman cheese, same as above
chopped parsley, about 1/2- 1 tbsp
minced garlic, about 1/2 tbsp
mix ingredients together and spread generously onto bread slices
put in the oven on low broil for just a few minutes, until edges are golden brown :)

(sorry for the poor picture quality..taken via cell phone and sent to facebook and then copied onto here.. just the easiest and fastest way for me to post)

Pasta Pizza

This is one of the fastest and easiest meals you can make and be creative!

For this one, I did small cheese ravioli.. but you can do any kind of pasta.

Cook the pasta "al dente". Drain and set aside. In a sauce pan, simmer pasta sauce..any kind you like..marinara, whatever! and add: italian seasoning, 1 triangle laughing cow swiss cheese spread (I use this alot), a few tbsps of heavy whipping cream and alfredo sauce.

Add pasta to pan and pour sauce over it. Then add shredded mozzerella cheese on top. Then.. add your ingredients..whatever you like on your "pizza". I added: cherry tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni. Then I sprinkled the top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Orzo Pesto Salad

This dish is a wonderful appetizer and/or side dish..great for occassions!

• 1 bag of orzo pasta about 1/2 jar classico pesto sauce/spread (more or less to your liking)
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• red onion, green onion, parsley, cilantro
• feta cheese crumbles
  

chop the onions and fresh herbs, set aside. Cook the bag of orzo pasta with italian seasoning in the water..until al dente. drain and rinse in cold water. add the pesto sauce and mix.. start adding about 1:2 ratio of the olive oil and vinegar (1 being the vinegar and 2 the oil)..start with about a tablespoon and go from there to acheive the consistency and acidity you prefer. add the onions and herbs and mix in feta cheese crumbles

*store in fridge the night before a party and the flavors kick in even more! just make sure you check consistency to see if you need to add any more oil & vinegar.

(again I appologize I don't have exact measurements.. I invented this recipe just last week for Easter and wanted to see if everyone liked it before I wrote it down as a recipe)

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is delicious..don't be discouraged by some of the ingredients.. this recipe does take some time to prepare, but well worth it! Props to Shelle Clouse for this recipe :)

• 2 bags of color rotini or bow tie pasta (cooked and cooled) add a little olive oil so they don't stick
• 2-3 cups mayo
• 2-3 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 4-6 Tbsp red wine vinegar recipe or apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives or more
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/2 cup red bell peppers (opt)
• sliced salami
• chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles
• 4-6 Tbsp garlic
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Mix ingredients well and enjoy!

let the red wine vinegar recipe sit in an air tight container at room temp for about 2 weeks prior

Red Wine Vinegar recipe:

• basil
• oregano
• rosemary
• thyme
• bay leaves
• garlic
• orange peel
• peppercorn pepper
• Red Wine Vinegar

mix herbs 1:1 with about 2 cups vinegar