First Attempt at a Pan Pizza

These are pics of my attempt at Pan Pizza.  The outside browned before the center was done.  I guess I will have to cook on a lower temp next time or use my small pizza pans.  It was still very yummy anyway.  Note: I use tomato paste with oregano, garlic salt and thin it with a little water for a quick sauce. 

Coconut Brownies

So a coworker gave me a wonderful recipe for Best Ever Brownies. I went to the cupboard to pull out the crisco for the recipe and there was none.  So I improvised with Coconut Oil.  The only mistake I made was I did not cook them long enough but the batter was so damn good.  Chocolate and Coconut Oil are a match made in heaven...  I served with vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries and whipping cream.

1/2 C Butter
1/2 C Shortening (melted coconut oil cooled to room temp)
2 C Sugar ( I added 1 C Organic Cane Sugar)
4 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 C Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 C Unsweetened Cocoa ( I used Natural-Wish I had used Dutch)
Chocolate chips and nuts optional
Beat 1st 5 ingredients until well blended.  Add dry ingredients until just mixed.  At this point add your chips and nuts.  Bake @ 350 in 8"x8" pan for 30 minutes, mine needed another 5 minutes I think.

Failed Lemon Buns

Ok, so here is proof that something can look absolutely fabulous and taste yucky!  My failed attempt at Lemon Buns... Oh I had high hopes and so did the vultures looming for any castaways.

My Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This is my homemade spaghetti sauce.  It is an evolving recipe but the pic below shows all the ingredients I add.  I brown 1/2 lb ground beef, draining after. Add Cabernet to my liking and cook down.  I use Penzey's Spices; I add rehydrated onions, oregano, paprika, pizza seasoning, my homegrown/homemade pesto.  To this I add one can tomato paste then can petite cut tomatoes with one can water.  Season with Lawry's Garlic salt, fresh ground pepper and salt.  Simmer for 1/2 hour until sauce is cooked down.  If I like I will saute fresh cremini mushrooms and add.

Bolognese Sauce from The Best Recipe book, Christopher Kimball

This is one of my favorite dishes due to the complexity of the sauce.  It is made in many layers and is rich and savory.  Lovely.  This has onions, carrots, celery, beef, white wine, half and half, with canned tomatoes.

Lunch for Jessi

So I had my daughter and her husband over for a special luncheon plus I had my daughter living at home with me stay home from school so she wouldnt miss out.  I made Ina Garten's Indonesian Ginger Chicken with Roasted Vegetables, Rice, Italian Rolls (took out the Italian in them) and Lime Mousse Petites.  Here are the pics.  I will post the recipes for anyone who would like them, except Ina Garten's Chicken.  Link to Chicken:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/indonesian-ginger-chicken-recipe/index.html