Grilled Pizza

Pizza Dough

4+ cups flour (all purpose or whole wheat)
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Mix warm water and yeast until bubbly. Stir in salt and flour one cup at a time until soft dough forms (should be soft but not be sticky). Set aside and let rise until double in size. Divide dough into small balls and on a well floured/oiled surface, roll each into a small circle about the size of a plate.

Prepare your toppings and have them out by the grill ready to top. Place dough on grill over medium heat and cook just until bottom is firm and has nice grill marks- 2-3 minutes. Flip, add toppings, close lid and continue cooking until bottom is firm and cheese is melted (if cheese is still not melted move to top rack or you can broil in the oven).

I use this dough for pizza & breadsticks and if you want to add yummy flavor to your crust- just mix in 1/3 cup or so of pesto when you add the flour.

  

Favorite combinations:

Basil Pesto, Grilled Chicken, Cheese, Broccoli

Lighthouse Ranch Dressing (or other fresh ranch), Spinach, Tomatoes, Cheese, bacon bits

Chocolate Mousse Ice Cream

This tastes identical to chocolate mousse when it's fresh, but freeze it for a few hours and it's chocolate heaven.

2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 2/3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

In blender or food processor blend chocolate chips until fine, reserve for later use.

In bowl mix sugar and cocoa, stir in eggs and whipping cream until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips and pour in ice cream maker and let churn until thickened. If you don't have an ice cream maker, mix in blender and freeze until firm. YUM.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

It's so hot lately I've been making ice cream like crazy, so this is one of about 4 recipes I'll be sharing this summer. This is some seriously yummy ice cream!

2 cups strawberries (I used frozen berries, thawed)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Crush strawberries with potato masher or food chopper. In large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add remaining ingredients just until combined. Add to ice cream maker and mix according to directions.

Almond Crusted Halibut Symphony

I've been trying to learn to like fish or at least be able to tolerate it. I tried making fish tacos with tilapia and just couldn't bring myself to eat more than a bite or two. Anthony was feeling like fish tonight so I suggested he try this recipe that I'd been meaning to make for quite a while now but couldn't bring myself to do it in case it turned out like my fish taco diaster. I was pleasantly surprised- the halibut had hardly any fish flavor. The dish was amazing- it tasted fabulous, looked fabulous and was an absolutely perfect dinner alongside garlic mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. It seems complex at first, but it was simple enough my husband was able to make it with hardly any help from myself. So if you're like me and don't eat fish, try this- it really has no fishy flavor!

Almond Crusted Halibut Symphony

Ingredients:

3 filets halibut
1 tablespoon butter

Buerre Blanc Sauce

1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cube butter cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
2 tablespoons minced shallots (I used chopped fresh chives)1teaspoon lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Topping

1/4 cup bread crumbs

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 egg, lightly beaten

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in frying pan. Over medium heat, saute halibut filets for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown on one side. Flip over, cover with lid and turn off heat. Let halibut continue cooking in hot pan until golden brown on the other side.

Make buerre blanc: in small saucepan over medium heat combine water, vinegar, shallots (or fresh chopped chives), thyme and bay leaf. Boil until liquid has evaporated, remove bay leaf. Stir in cream and boil until liquid is reduced by half. Whisk in butter 1 piece at a time. Stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper. Turn off heat but let sauce remain on stove to keep warm.

Topping: In a small bowl melt butter and stir in bread crumbs and almonds. In another small bowl beat egg.

Transfer halibut to a cookie sheet and turn oven to broil. Brush egg on top of filets and top with bread crumb topping. Broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown- watch carefully because it will cook quickly.

Garden Pasta Salad

I typically don't eat pasta salads because they are mayo based and I am not a big fan of mayo. This pasta sald is so easy to make and is so delicious (not to mention healthy) and the feta cheese gives it such an yummy touch. I like to make it and eat it with the noodles still a bit warm for dinner and then as a cold salad the next day for lunch.

3 cups whole wheat rotini pasta cooked and drained
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 cup halved cherry (or sliced garden) tomatoes

1 cup chopped cucumber

1 cup fresh chopped zucchini and or yellow squash

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1/4 cup chopped red onions (I am not a fan of raw onions so I usually leave out)

1/2 cup zesty italian dressing

Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Slice all vegetables. Mix pasta, vegetables, zesty italian dressing (click here for dressing recipe) and cheese. Serve warm or cold.

*another healthy addition to this salad are garbanzo beans and frozen green peas, thawed

Strawberry Chicken Salad

This is my favorite salad, it's almost like a dessert. So yummy! My friend Joann introduced me to it, and it's fabulous. I used Brianna's poppyseed dressing, but I actually think Joann's recipe for poppyseed dressing is better- it's more dessert-like and just heavenly. Go here for her recipe.

I grilled my chicken with montreal chicken seasoning, then added fresh strawberries, almonds, oranges and mixed with baby greens and poppyseed dressing. You can change up the fruits for a different taste- peaches would be yummy, it also tastes great without the chicken, but something about grilled chicken and strawberries is just amazing. Perfect summer dinner.

Indonesian Barley Pilaf

I got this recipe from Kashi and just modified it a bit for what I had on hand. It's quicky, healthy and delicious.

1 cup barley

2 cups water (or chicken broth)
1 cup whole peanuts
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoons cumin
3/4 cup raisins
1 large carrot julienned
1 cup red cabbage diced (optional- I didn't use)
pinch of salt
red bell pepper, diced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

4 tablespoons soy sauce (I usually pour it on until everything is light brown)

2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, grated

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (more or less depending on how spicy you want it)

Cook barley in water according to directions (usually takes about 35-40 minutes). In large sauce pan saute garlic, onion and pepper in sesame oil (or other oil). Add remaining ingredients and simmer 2-3 minutes. Stir in barley and serve.