We are big fans of pizza in our house! Take-out pizza can often be greasy and expensive. This is a simple pizza that you can adapt to what you like.
Homemade Meat Lover's Pizza
bakery pizza dough (in the refrigerated area of the bakery)
pizza sauce
2 c shredded Italian blend cheese
sliced pepperoni
hot Italian sausage
3 tbsp butter
2 tsp pizza seasoning (or you can sub Italian seasoning)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic salt
Drizzle olive oil in medium skillet. Brown Italian sausage links for about 5-10 minutes, until browned on each side. Add water to skillet and boil Italian sausage links for 15-20 more minutes until cooked through. Remove from water and slice thin. Prepare pizza dough by rolling with a floured rolling pin to desired thickness. (You can also try tossing it if you want!) Spread pizza sauce over pizza dough, sprinkle with pizza seasoning. Top with cheese and desired toppings. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until dough has browned). While pizza is cooking, place butter in bowl and top with garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Melt butter in microwave. Brush over crust immediately after removing from oven. Allow pizza to sit 5 minutes before cutting.
I've never had shepherd's pie before. It never really sounded appetizing to me, but after seeing this Italian-style recipe on Rachael Ray a couple of weeks ago, I knew I had to try it. I changed the recipe some to make it a little easier. You must try this one!
Italian Shepherd's Pie
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 c milk
3 tbsp butter
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/2 c grated parmesan cheese (I bought the real stuff...Parmigiano-Reggiano)
1 lb ground sirloin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 lb hot Italian sausage (I bought links, removed the casing, then broke it up as I was cooking)
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
5 tsp minced garlic, divided
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 c dry red wine
1 1/2 c beef broth
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover potatoes with water, bring to boil. Salt water and cook potatoes for 12-15 minutes, or until tender. Drain potatoes and return to warm pot. Add 3 tsp minced garlic and 1/2 c milk. Add butter and mash with a potato masher. Stir in beaten egg and half of the parmesan cheese. Mash until smooth, adding more milk if needed. Cover until meat mixture is prepared.
Brown ground sirloin in large skillet. Once brown, season with salt, pepper, and rosemary. Add sausage and brown, breaking up into small pieces as cooking. Add onion, red pepper, and 2 tsp minced garlic. Stir in tomato paste, cook 1-2 minutes, mixing well. Add 1 cup of red wine and reduce by half. Add stock and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until most liquid has boiled out.
Transfer meat to large casserole dish, top with potatoes and remaining cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes until potatoes are brown and crispy on the edges.
Here's another great fresh peach recipe for those of you enjoying the fruitfulness of the southeast right now. It is so great served right out of the oven with a little vanilla ice cream on the side. This original blueberry crisp recipe comes courtesy of my mother-in-law. This version serves 3, maybe 4, but can easily be doubled.
Peach Crisp A La Mode
3-4 large peaches, peeled and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 stick butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
Stir dry ingredients together. Cut in cold butter (I usually use a potato masher or you can use 2 knives). Place diced peaches into bottom of a 8x8 baking dish. Dash with lemon juice. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top of peaches. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with ice cream.
