PIZZA WAFFLES

https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pizza-waffles/2f105874-4e6c-4906-af94-546310199b4b

PIZZA WAFFLES
My family loved these!  Abagail said she wanted them for her birthday.  I used regular size pepperoni because I didn't want to pay for the little ones (couple bucks more).  We couldn't really taste the pepperoni so maybe put more next time or buy the mini ones (or try sausage).  I did cut them on the side, flatened slightly, added the pepperoni and cheese and then pinched shut.  Some cheese leaked but not very much.  I used shredded cheese because that is what I had on hand.

1 can flaky layer biscuits (original)
8 slices mozzarella cheese (shredded works too)
2 cups pizza sauce (we had marinara)

Heat waffle maker.  Spray waffle maker with cooking spray.  Separate dough into 8 biscuits.  Cut slit on 1 side of each biscuit, forming a deep pocket.  Place 1 slice of cheese into each pocket.  Top cheese with 6 or 7 pepperoni slices.  Press dough around edge to seal each biscuit.

Place 1 biscuit on center of waffle maker.  Close lid; cook 3 minutes or until waffle is golden brown.  Serve with pizza sauce. 

HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE

Homemade Pizza Sauce

This recipe is very adaptable so feel free to play around with the different seasonings and amounts. I usually forego all measuring utensils and just sprinkle in until it feels right.

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/homemade-pizza-sauce/

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Pinch of crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until desired consistency. I leave mine slightly chunky. You can adjust the seasonings to taste. This recipe is open to interpretation. Use what you like, taste it along the way and it is sure to be delicious!

PIZZA CRUST AND SAUCE

This was really good.  I didn't do her method of cooking, but liked how the crust tasted and LOVED the pizza sauce.  I made the pizza sauce in the braun.  Was able to get one round pizza and one cookie sheet pizza out of the sauce.  I 1.5 the pizza crust recipe to make one round and one cookie sheet.  Judi had given us two fresh mozzarella packages.  They made the pizza a little bit wetter but it was good. We also did pepperoni, cheese, pepperoni and cheese, breakfast sausage with green peppers.

Homemade Pizza Sauce

This recipe is very adaptable so feel free to play around with the different seasonings and amounts. I usually forego all measuring utensils and just sprinkle in until it feels right.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Pinch of crushed red pepper (didn't add)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until desired consistency. I leave mine slightly chunky. You can adjust the seasonings to taste. This recipe is open to interpretation. Use what you like, taste it along the way and it is sure to be delicious!

Homemade Pizza – New and Improved

YIELD: MAKES 2 12-INCH PIZZAS OR 1 LARGE 16 TO 18-INCH PIZZA

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the dough the night before or early the morning on the day you want to make the pizza. In a large mixing bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), mix the water, yeast, sugar, honey and oil. (If using active dry yeast, increase the amount of yeast to 2 3/4 teaspoons and proof the yeast in the water until foamy before mixing in the sugar, honey and oil.) Then mix in 1 cup flour and the salt. Continue mixing in all the remaining flour until you get a nice, soft dough. Knead until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer.
2. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl and cover tightly (with a lid or plastic wrap). Place the dough in the refrigerator to slowly rise until three hours before baking. Three hours before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature, keeping it lightly covered.
3. 45-60 minutes before baking, move the rack to the lowest position in the oven (if the lowest rack in your oven is nearly touching the oven floor, move it up one notch - you don't want it that close or the bottom of the pizza will burn), place the pizza stone on it and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Don't be nervous about a hot oven! I used to be scared to death to cook anything above 400 degrees but I promise 500 degrees is the only way to go when cooking pizza. If your oven is a bit sketchy at that temperature, bake at 475 degrees. Also,I think a pizza stone makes all the difference in good versus great pizza. I have this pizza stone and I love the rectangular shape. I have baked many a pizza on this stone and it is awesome.
4. Here's a few different methods for making great pizza:
5. Pizza Paddle/Peel: I have a wooden pizza paddle, like this, which I sprinkle with cornmeal and place the pizza dough on. I layer my toppings on the dough and slide the dough quickly onto the hot pizza stone. After about 8 or 9 minutes, the pizza is baked to perfection and I slide it onto a cutting board to slice and eat.
6. Alternative Pizza Paddle/Peel: If you don't have a pizza paddle, you can use the underside of a baking sheet (I use an 11X17 size) or a large cutting board as a makeshift pizza paddle. Cover it lightly with cornmeal, flour or parchment paper, make your pizza on the floured baking sheet or cutting board and gently slide the pizza off of the makeshift paddle onto the baking stone when ready to bake (if using parchment paper, you can let the parchment paper slide onto the baking stone with the pizza). Bake for 8-9 minutes until the crust is nicely browned. Retrieve the pizza with a pair of tongs or a spatula and slide the baked pizza quickly onto a waiting cooling rack.
7. Rimmed Baking Sheet: If you currently bake pizzas using cornmeal on a pizza paddle, you'll know how messy it can be - cornmeal everywhere. In fact, right now, my oven is in serious need of a good vacuuming. So, ofttimes, I'll still preheat my baking stone like normal and instead of using my wooden pizza paddle, I stretch the dough into an irregular shape on a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet (I don't worry about pressing it into the corners to give it a rustic look), add the toppings, and slide the entire baking sheet on the pizza stone to bake. Bake the pizza for 9-10 minutes until the crust is nicely browned. This method still browns the crust nicely - and while you don't get the extremely authentic pizza crust, it is still mighty delicious and I can make more pizza at once rather than sliding them one at a time onto the baking stone.

WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA ROLL UPS

WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA ROLL UPS
http://www.littlehouseliving.com/whole-wheat-pizza-roll-ups.html

Everyone really liked these.  Fun variation to pizza.  Would definitely make again.  Did with whole wheat dough I always use.  Took out enough dough for 1 loaf of bread.  Made 2 cookie sheets of roll ups.  We also brushed melted butter on each roll and topped with parmesan cheese mixed with pizza seasoning because I forgot to sprinkle on some before rolling up.  According to post these freeze really well.

-roll dough out like you would cinnamon rolls
-top with sauce (1 full jar & maybe more), cheese and toppings (don't over do the toppings) - we did 1 pkg pepperoni and 1/2# cooked breakfast sausage and 1 bag (2 cups) mozzarella cheese
-sprinkle seasonings (WinCo has bulk pizza seasoning)
-roll up like you would a cinnamon roll
-cut like you would a cinnamon roll
-we brushed on melted butter and sprinkled parmesan cheese, but you would have to do this step
-bake at 350 for 25 min

Really good dipped in pizza or spaghetti sauce.

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

YIELD: MAKES 24-28 PIZZA ROLLS

I've made these pizza rolls (and our favorite pizza dough) with all types of flour. Bread flour, all-purpose unbleached flour, and white whole wheat flour. My favorite combo is probably half bread flour, half white whole wheat flour; the dough is extremely versatile!

We really liked these.  Did one 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 italian sausage.  Everyone liked the pepperoni better. Didn't have mozzarella so we did a white cheese and sharp cheddar.  Used spaghetti sauce.  Was good but would like to try homemade next time.  We did the extra sauce for dipping.  Yum!  Did 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour.

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Dough:
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour (see note above)
Filling:
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups pizza sauce (homemade recipe here) - see blog post
• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 ounces pepperoni, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet (about 12X18-inches) with parchment paper.
2. For the dough, in an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook (you can also do this by hand in a large bowl with a spoon), stir together the water, honey, olive oil, yeast, salt and 1 cup of the flour. With the mixer on low speed, continue adding the flour until the dough clears the sides of the bowl and forms a soft, smooth ball. Knead for 3-4 minutes (add a few minutes if using whole wheat flour). Let the dough rest, covered, in the bowl for 10-15 minutes.
3. Separate the dough into two pieces. On a lightly greased countertop, press one portion of dough into a thin rectangle, about 14X10-inches.
4. Spread 1/2 to 3/4 cup pizza sauce evenly across the top. Sprinkle evenly with half the mozzarella cheese and then half the pepperoni. Starting with on long side, roll up cinnamon-roll style, pinching the seam together to seal.
5. Place the cornmeal in a bowl or shallow dish. Cut the dough into 1-inch sections. One by one, press the bottom of each pizza roll into the cornmeal and then place on the prepared baking sheet about an inch apart.
6. Repeat with the remaining half of dough.
7. Once all the pizza rolls are placed on the baking sheet, sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
8. Warm the extra pizza sauce, and serve the pizza rolls immediately out of the oven with the pizza sauce for dipping.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH

PIZZA SPAGHETTI SQUASH
I had cooked a spaghetti squash in the microwave.  You cut in two take out seeds and then cook face down on a microwave safe plate.  Can either freeze once shredded or keep in fridge.

I then mixed one with a jar of Prego spaghetti sauce with sausage.  Then I put in a 9x9 pan (but anything would do) topped with pepperoni and then mozarella cheese.  Cooked until warmed all the way through and cheese melted.  Broiled for about 3-5 minutes.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH
I have tried a couple of spaghetti squash recipes.  I don't think I am a big fan of spaghetti squash.  I forgot to add parsmesan cheese - duh!  Would have made the dish better for sure.  But I made this recipe and everyone ate it without complaining.  Would make it again if I got a spaghetti squash in my bountiful basket. I think I might add spaghetti sauce to the leftovers for another meal.  UPADATE: really liked it with the spaghetti sauce added and topped with parmasean cheese.
http://steamykitchen.com/11285-baked-spaghetti-squash-with-garlic-and-butter.html

baked spaghetti squash with garlic and butter

Servings: 6 Prep Time:5 Cook Time:60

I tend to under-bake the spaghetti squash just a bit, so it still retains just a slight crunch. Baking time really depends on how big your squash is - try to get the smallest one, especially if you’re only feeding 4 people. It’s ready if you can pierce the squash with a paring knife with little resistance. If you’re a garlic love, don’t be shy - use more!

Alternatively, microwave the whole squash for 2-4 minutes (to soften enough to cut lengthwise). Place squash cut-side down on baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until tender.

UPDATE: you can add bacon, toasted pine nuts or spinach.  Really adds to the flavor.

ingredients:

1 small spaghetti squash (about 3-4 pounds)
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup finely minced parsley (or basil)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Pierce squash a few times with sharp paring knife (to let steam escape). Bake spaghetti squash for 60 minutes, or until a paring knife pierces easily through skin with little resistance. Let squash cool for 10 minutes.

2. Cut squash in half, lengthwise. Use a fork to remove and discard the seeds. Continue using fork to scrape the squash to get long, lovely strands. If the squash seem difficult to scrape, return the squash to bake for an additional 10 minutes.

3. Heat a large saute pan with the butter and the garlic over medium-low heat. When garlic becomes fragrant, add parsley, salt and spaghetti squash strands. Toss well, sprinkle in the parmesan cheese and taste to see if you need additional salt. The spaghetti squash should have a slight crunch (i.e. not mushy) - but if you like it softer, cover the pan and cook 2 more minutes.