Scrounge around Pizza

 We just got back from a family vacation and came home to a sparse fridge. And I mean sparse. But the lazy part of me didn't want to make a trip to the grocery store. Why? Cause I don't like grocery shopping. 

So I scrounged around and found a couple of different things that I thought could work on a pizza.

This is what I found:

flour

oil

yeast

oregano

basil

garlic powder

thyme

I pinterested an easy pizza crust, of which I used the above for.

Then I found:

Spinach

a frozen red pepper

garlic

parmesan cheese

olive oil

can of artichoke hearts

goats cheese

cheddar cheese

a mixture of parmesan and Romano cheeses

I made the crust and added some of the spices, and rolled it out onto the cookie sheet. I put a little bit of cornmeal under the dough just so it didn't stick to the cookie sheet.

Then in the blender I put some spinach, a quarter of the red pepper, 2 cloves of garlic, some oil and a bit of parmesan cheese. This made my sauce.

I proceeded to put the cheese and artichoke hearts on the top.

I baked the pizza for 15 minutes at 450, but you can bake it for as long as your crust requires.

The pizza was soooo tasty! It will probably go into the meal plans for the future!

Not too bad for scrounging!

Sarah

Easy peasy curry chicken

Recently I've been trying to make more dinners at home. Andy and I are terrible at just going out to eat, which doesn't really help the pocketbook or the waistline. I've made it 4 days in a row making dinner...which is a world record I think. Don't laugh this is serious business!

My most recent dinner was something we grew up eating. Our parents would make a version of this and it was always one of my favorites. I could probably eat curry every day and feel okay about it...and in my opinion curry powder makes almost every dish better. My dad would even make this dish for the entire girls swim team every year in college. SO GOOD!

Now, this is how I make it. My mom and dad probably make it differently, but not that much:)

Here's what you're gonna need:

Curry powder--stuff from the grocery store

1 Onion

1-3 cloves of garlic

1 can of cream of mushroom soup--condensed

2 chicken breasts

Rice

What you'll do is cut up the onion and garlic and make them sweat...get em cooking!

Once they've gotten sort of translucent add your curry powder. I like my curry spicier so I add more curry. I put about 1 Tablespoon in at least....I never measure, just dump!

Let the onions/garlic/curry mixture cook for awhile--about 3-4 minutes.

Add the soup and about half a can of water. Mix it well and keep it at about medium heat.

While I'm doing the curry part, I cook and cube up the chicken. Of if I'm really lazy I open up a can of chicken. It works.

After the soup is mixed into the onion mixture really well. Add the chicken. Let it cook for about another 5 minutes on medium.

Oh did I mention you should have put your rice on earlier...yeah do that too. Or pop some instant rice in the microwave. Once again, it works....don't judge.

The fun part about this type of curry is that you can put all kinds of toppings on it. Toppings? Yes, toppings. Toppings to this curry can and should include at least three of the following:

bananas

mandarin oranges

raisins

peanuts

coconut

tomatoes

avacado

green onion

cucumber

mushrooms

the kitchen sink

whatever you have in your fridge or pantry

Don't like to mix your food? I've known plenty of people who love to keep their food groups separate, but once convinced...never eat this curry without toppings.

Now eating...spoon curry over rice, put on toppings and eat this deliciousness of a meal. 

Let me know what you think!

Sarah

Poppy Seed Bread

I've always thought baked goods are great as a gift, and for Christmas this year I gave some colleagues and neighbors some delicious poppy seed bread.  My mother-in-law had given me this recipe years ago, but I had never gotten around to trying it. I have had her bread before--and it's delish--so I thought it would make a great holiday gift. Oh and did I mention how easy it is to make? Super easy, so its great for last minute gifts or if you just are craving some yummy bread.

Here is the recipe:

1 package of yellow cake mix--any brand

1 package of vanilla pudding mix--smaller box

1 cup of hot water

1/2 cup of oil

4 eggs

1/4 cup of poppy seeds

1 Tbsp of lemon extract--optional

Mix and fill two smaller greased loaf pans half way up.

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes

My MILs original recipe doesn't have lemon in it, but I thought it would be fun to make some with lemon and some without. So to add the lemon flavor I added 1 Tbsp of lemon extract, and it was great! My husband likes it without the lemon...so do whichever you prefer!

Leaf Table Runners

Recently I've been needing to make something new...ha! Actually I frequently get the urge. I get an idea and I need to make it--whether or not I have the time to. Before our last show in December, I made a table runner out of green wool.  I wanted to make it...didn't really have time, but I wanted to see if people actually liked my idea of a table runner.

So I did. ( you can see it here)

 It was sold within the first hour of the show! I had other people approach me to make one for them in other colors...not just green. This got my creative juices flowing and there was no stopping me. 

In the last couple of days I've made four new runners.  I've done two sizes...and I think they'll work for more than one size of table. What I like about doing these in multiple color is that they can be used all year round, not just at Christmas.  I also like the texture that they give a table, but they are flat enough to  put a bowl or candle on.

What are your thoughts? Should I put them on Etsy? We're thinking of revamping our shop...

Sarah