Greek Pizza

Matt and I had an excellent date night a few weeks ago. My sister Eva was in town from Idaho., and was able to babysit for us.  Eva just recently got engaged to be married.  We are so happy for her! I know she and her fiance Russell will be very happy together.  We hardly ever go out unless Eva is around- the kids LOVE her. We thought we'd go out for the basics- dinner and a movie.  For dinner we went to California Pizza kitchen.  I hadn't been there in  years, so we thought we'd give it another try.  We were not disappointed!  I ordered some kind of Tequila Chicken pasta and Matt got the Mediterranean Pizza.  We traded plates back and forth- the pasta was good, the Pizza was WOW!  Perfect!   I have- I think done a pretty good job replicating it.  It's bascially pizza crust- a very fresh Chilled Greek Salad - Cucumber, tomato, chicken, kalamata olives-red onions, and  a light tzatziki sauce.  The first time I made the topping I spooned it over a quinoa.  Everyone loved it that way.  Quinoa is now a staple here. Faster than rice- and better for you. Back on topic-  Last night I made up some pizza dough.-no it wasn't gluten free- I have needs- back off me (the kids got a regular pizza)  Sprinkled cheese on a baked it.  Let it cool, cut it, then put the topping on.  It was a really nice refreshing change. Here is the recipe for the Chilled Greek Salad:

1 Large Cucumber seeded and finely chopped
1 Tomato  finely chopped
1/2 red onion finely chopped
Kalamata Olives to taste chopped ( i like alot)
Feta cheese crumbled  to taste
Balsamic Vinaigrette- just a little
The original recipe had a nice tzatiki sauce drizzled on. You can pick some up at the store or make it easily. 
Mix all ingredients and chill. serve. Enjoy!  


No pic- I'm a bad blogger:( For those of you who want to know the movie "Cowboys vs. Aliens" was TERRIBLE.

Spaghetti alla Ceci

I came across this recipe at the library looking for some inspiration in the meal department.  Its from Rachel Ray- I really can't tell you how yummy this is- so creamy without being heavy- And it even had a wonderful heat from the red pepper flakes. In all honesty the kids didn't love it- Matt thought is was good- I was ready to make it again the next day:)  Maybe you could categorize this as chick food.

• 1 pound spaghetti (i used gluten free)
• Salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 turns of the pan
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 (14-ounce) can, chick peas, drained (i used great northern)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry thyme, eyeball it
• Pepper
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 (14-ounce) can, crushed tomatoes
• Handful parsley chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese, to pass at table

Directions

Boil water for pasta, salt it, and cook spaghetti to till done.

While spaghetti cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic. Place chick peas in blender and pulse grind them to a fine chop. Add chick peas to garlic and season them with thyme, salt and pepper then saute them for 3 to 4 minutes. Add wine or broth and cook down 30 seconds or so then stir in tomatoes and adjust seasoning. Drain pasta and toss with sauce. Top with parsley and grated cheese.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Awhile ago I discovered that I have a sensitivity to wheat.  As a result I have dabbled in Gluten Free recipes.  To be totally honest- I HATE IT.  I love my pasta, homemade bread, pancakes, biscuits and the rest.  I usually only go for like a day or 2 at a time gluten free.  But truth be told I really do feel much better without wheat in my life.  I just have very little no will power  I have tried a few Flourless cakes, with not much luck. Some were down-right nasty. (insert gag sound here)   A very common Flour substitute is, wait for it...... beans!  I've tried a few different kinds and Garbanzo beans win hands down!   And no you cannot taste the beans. I promise! The texture is different the regular cake- but I really think this is better.  My family really loved it until I told them it had beans. Everyone eats it and asks for more- except for Olivia- she has some issues with beans:(   Here is the recipe:


Flourless Chocolate Cake  
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips 
1 19 oz. can garbanzo beans rinsed and drained. 
4 eggs, 
3/4 cup sugar 
1/2 tsp. baking powder.   Powdered sugar for dusting  Heat oven to 350.  Grease 9 in. cake pan. Melt chips in microwave.  Combine beans and eggs in blender. Blend until smooth. Add sugar and powder. Blend in chocolate. Pour in cake pan. Bake 40 minutes.  Cool on rack. Dust with powdered sugar  

                                                          

Therapy in a crisy crust

I love food- but there are a few foods that have, in my mind, therapeutic qualities.   One of these Valium-esk treats is Spanikopita or spinach pies. Growing up my Mom would make these and it. was. a. big. deal. Mom used to make a lot of things we now make fun of her for: lentils as a meat substitute in spaghetti sauce, millet, cracked wheat cereal (i really did love that) and proably a few other things I've blocked from memory.But the winner is canned turkey chunks from the cannery. My gosh that was like eating cat food. Poor Mom! Mom's try so hard to feed their families good food!  Not an easy task.  But all kidding aside, Mom REALLY made some amazing food for her family.  There were many things we loved.  One of my favorites is Spinach pies. I have distinct memories of controlling (with-holding from those siblings who were not worthy and handing out to those who were) the pan of coveted spinach pies. I'm an oldest child. What else can I say?  If  you've never had them they are basically a 7 filo dough crust, with a spinach/ feta filling with another 7 layers of buttery crust on top then baked.  These are one of my ultimate comfort foods.   I usually partake of these beauties while watching Pride and Predjudice and about to have a complete meltdown. . Here is the recipe: 

Spinach Pies or Spanikopita

2 Packages of frozen chopped spinach- cooked-drained well  
1 package feta cheese - crumbled  
2 eggs  
Dill weed to taste  
Salt  
Olive Oil  
Garlic Powder  
1 roll filo dough 
1 stick butter 
Preheat oven to 375 or 400 depending on how fast you want them:)  Mix spinach, feta, eggs, seasonings, and oil. Set aside.  Melt butter.  Unroll your filo dough on clean dish towel and cover with another towel.  You will need to work quickly with the filo.  Brush some butter into a 9x13 pan.  Then place you first sheet of the filo. Then brush with butter. Then another sheet. Butter. Filo. butter. Filo. butter. you get the idea. Seven layers.  Then add your spinach filling. Then another 7 layers of Filo. Remember to work quickly. Cover your filo each time  you are brushing on  your butter.... filo dries very quickly!!! When you have finished your final layer, place in the nice hot oven and wait. about 40 minutes.  These are very pretty hot from the oven. Even none spinach folks will like these.

The Best Biscuits- Ever! (or Holy Cow Biscuits)

 
I got this recipe from my good friend Lisa- she is one of those friends who you swear knows everything.  Lisa moved a few month's ago and I miss her :(   Well way back she shared a great biscuit recipe.  And let me tell you, they are really good biscuits.  I made a batch just this evening to serve with dinner. Here is the recipe:
I usually double it. 
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt 
3 tsp. baking powder 
6 Tbsp. cold butter 
3/4 cup milk   In a mixing bowl, mix dry ingrediants.  Cut in butter. Mix in milk.  Knead for 5 minutes ish. add flour as needed.  On floured surface, roll out, and cut with biscuit cutter or a drinking glass.  Place on greased baking sheet.  Bake in 450 oven for 12-15 minutes.  Honey butter is a MUST!