Best Pizza Dough and Sauce

Garlic Bread Pizza Crust (2 crusts)

2 1-4 cups warm water (100-105 degrees) 2 tablespoons active dry yeast

3 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoon olive oil

6 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoon dried basil

10 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 garlic cloves, pressed or very finely minced

4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil. Mix with a spoon, then let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add in 5 1/2 cups flour, salt, garlic powder and dried basil, stirring with a spoon until the dough comes together but it still sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a ball and work the additional 1/2 cup flour (you don’t need to use all if it is not needed) in to the dough, kneading it on a floured surface for a few minutes. Rub the same bowl with olive oil then place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it back on the floured surface. Using a roll pin or your hands, form it into your desired shape. Let sit in the warm place for 10 minutes. While the dough is rising again, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Mix it with the garlic and 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese.

Bring the dough back out and using a spoon or pastry brush, douse the outside edges with the butter and garlic mixture. Continue to make your pizza with your desired toppings. Bake the pizza for 20-23 minutes, or until crust and cheese are both golden. While pizza is baking, melt remaining butter and combine with the last tablespoon of parmesan.

Remove pizza from over and immediately brush the outside edges with parmesan butter, using it all up. Sprinkle a bit of parmesan over top if desired. Serve!

Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce (for 2 pizzas)

Ingredients

◦ 2 (7 1/2 ounce) cans tomato sauce

◦ 1/4 cup water

◦ 1 teaspoon sugar

◦ 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

◦ 1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

◦ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

◦ 1/4 teaspoon salt

◦ Pinch of black pepper

◦ 1 whole bay leaf

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Heat till boils and lower heat to simmer and cover. Cook for 30 minutes – stir occasionally.

Bran Muffins

3/4 cup to 1 cup Kelloggs All Bran buds, smashed
1 cup boiling water
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups Kelloggs All Bran

1. Mix bran buds and water; let stand.

2. In another bowl mix sugar and shortening. Add flour, soda, salt, and eggs one at a time. Beat well. Stir in All Bran.

3. Add bran buds mix to flour mixture and stir together. Fill muffin tins and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Keep remaining mixture in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Make muffins as needed, but don't stir it again.

7 Layer Dip

1st layer- can of refried beans
2nd- 2 avocados mashed, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt
3rd- Mix: 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 package taco seasoning
4th- 1 can chopped olives, drained
5th- 4 chopped green onions
6th- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
7th- shredded cheddar cheese

Serve with tortilla chips.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been trying a lot of different chocolate chip cookie recipes lately and this one is my ultimate favorite.

Mix together:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Add and stir:
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add:
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips.

Bake at 335 degrees for 12 minutes.

Pecan Upside-Down Cake

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
2 cups pecan halves
1 package butter pecan cake mix*
1 cup low fat sour cream
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and pecans. Spread evenly into the pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for 2 minutes. Transfer to pan.

3. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

*yellow cake mix also works

Wolfgang Puck's Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon honey
1 1/4 cup water, divided 1/4 cup and 1 cup
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil

1. In a small bowl dissolve yeast and honey in 1/4 cup water. Let sit for a few minutes.

2. In Kitchen Aid with dough hook, combine flour and salt. Add oil, yeast mixture and 1 cup water. Mix on low speed for about 3 minutes, or until dough sticks on the hook.

3. Cover with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes*. Pull into 2 balls and let rise again for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

4. Roll out and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

*Alternative method: Let the dough rise for 30 minutes. Then roll out dough and let it rise again on the pizza pan for another 30 minutes. This makes the crust a little taller and not as dense.

Black Bean Burritos

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/4 up chopped red bell pepper

1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp salt
8 flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salsa and sour cream

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Saute onion, garlic, and peppers until soft.

2. Add beans, chilies, and spices. Let the flavors blend over low heat for 10 minutes.

3. Divide into tortillas and top with cheese and toppings.

Makes 4 burritos. Ready in 20 minutes.

Tuscan Chicken

This is very easy and quick.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed

1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Flatten chicken to 1/2 in thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. In large skillet over medium heat cook the garlic, rosemary, sage and thyme in oil for 1 minute; stirring occasionally. Add chicken and cooke for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Serves 4. Ready in 15 minutes.

Spinach and Carrot Quiche

We love this quiche and it's so easy to make.

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, liquid removed
1/4 cup shredded or minced carrots
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 9-inch pie crust

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the onion until tender. Add the garlic, spinach, and carrots and cook until the spinach liquid has evaporated.

3. Remove skillet from heat. Mix in cheese and eggs. Add seasonings.

4. Pour into pie shell and bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 6. Ready in 30 minutes.

Pie Crust

I like to make my own because I can whip up a quiche or pot pie without having to run to the store to buy a pie crust. They also freeze well. Try not to handle the dough too much with you hands. You want the butter to melt in the oven, not on your hands.

1 cup butter, chilled, cut into tablespoon pieces
3 cups flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons ice water

1. In an electric mixer combine flour and sugar. Add butter and use the paddle attachment to cut the butter and flour together.

2. With mixer on low speed pour in water. Stop when the dough starts to clump, before turning into a ball.

3. Knead dough in the bowl until it forms a ball. Divide dough into 2 parts. Flatten to a disk and chill for 30 minutes before rolling.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I usually make and cook the meatballs then freeze them for future use. After freezing them I put them in a pot and pour the sauce over them. I then let them warm up under low-medium heat. Serve over rice.

For meatballs:
3 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup onion flakes, or minced onion
1 1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375. Make meatballs by mixing together all ingredients in a large bowl. Shape into 1 inch balls. Cook on a rack placed over a jellyroll pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

For sauce:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons mustard powder
pineapple chunks
bell peppers, diced
1 cup water, divided into 1/2 cups
2 tablespoons cornstarch

In a saucepan over medium heat mix vinegar, sugar, mustard, 1/2 cup water, pineapple, bell peppers, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Mix cornstarch and 1/2 cup water; add to the saucepan. Boil for 1 minute or until thickened.

Serves 10

Turkey Pot Pie

I've also made this with chicken, and it was good, but turkey was better. Serves 8.

• 1 recipe pastry for a (10 inch) double crust pie
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 
  
• 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out bottom pie crust and place in the 10 inch pie pan and set aside.
  2. Place 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

Substitute for Taco Seasoning

I don't always have a packed of taco seasoning available but I do have spices. It is a little spicy so kids may like less chili powder. Here's what I use:

2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Jonathan's Favorite Granola Bars

You can add pretty much anything you want to these bars (raisins, dried apricots, etc.).

3 cups quick cooking oats
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9X13 pan.

2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands or spatula. Press flat into the pan.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes the cut into desired size. Let cool completely before serving.

Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews

This is my favorite way to eat broccoli. I know it's not the healthiest, but tastes so good!

1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
1/3 cup butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup chopped salted cashews

1. Steam broccoli for about 7 minutes. Drain, arrange on serving platter.

2. While broccoli is cooking, melt butter in a small pan. Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in cashews and pour sauce over broccoli. Serve immediately.

Serves 6. Ready in 20 minutes.

Harvard Beets

I never had beets before trying this recipe but now I can say that I love Harvard Beets!

2 or 3 beets
3/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Rinse beets and remove green stems. Wrap each beet in foil and roast in a 400 degree oven for about 1 hour, or until a knife can cut through the largest beet. After the beets have cooled slightly, run under cold water and rub off the skins. Cube beets into bite sized pieces.

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and water. Bring into a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the beets to the liquid and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Stir in butter, salt and pepper and remove from heat. Can be served warm or chilled.


Serves 6.

Whole Wheat Honey Bread

I don't want to jinx this, but I never want to buy bread again after making this. We love it so much and it tastes so much better than store bought. I feel better eating it because I know exactly what's inside and there are no preservatives. I use the bread machine to mix and raise the dough so this is very easy to make.

1 1/8 cups warm water
1/3 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons wheat gluten
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

Put into bread machine in listed order starting with water. Use the dough setting on the machine. When the bread machine is done, shape dough into a loaf shape and let rise in a greased loaf pan for about 30 minutes. Cook bread at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Delicious Apple Pancakes with cider syrup

This recipe is one of our favorite breakfasts. We like the make the syrup all the time to have on hand.

2 cups complete pancake mix
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup grated apple
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Syrup:
1/ 2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup apple cider or juice
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
1 tablespoon lemon juice

1. Mix the pancake ingredients together and cook on a griddle using 1/4 cup batter per pancake.

2. For syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg. Stir in cider until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Stir in butter and lemon juice.

Makes 12 pancakes, 1 1/4 cups syrup

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins

These are great for breakfast or a healthy snack.

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup craisins
1/4 cup pecans or walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin cups with liners.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pice spice; set aside. Combine brown sugar, while sugar, applesauce, pumpkin, buttermilk, and eggs. Mix until well blended. Pour pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in craisins and nuts.

3. Divide batter into muffin tins. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cool in the muffin pan on a wire rack before removing muffins.

Makes 12 muffins. Ready in 40 minutes.

*pumpkin pie spice substitute: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These may sound gross to you, but they are so yummy! I tricked my family into eating them one morning. They said they didn't like cottage cheese so I told them I would make something else. My husband and I went ahead and made the cottage cheese pancakes anyways because we knew they would like them. My family gobbled them up! Afterwards we told them they had cottage cheese in them and no one believed us.

In a blender, whip:
1 cup cottage cheese

Add:
1/2 cup flour
4 eggs
Blend.

With the mixer running add 6 tablespoons melted butter.

They have a running consistency and will be flat after cooking. They are good with syrup, but my favorite way to eat them is with jam.