Pizza - make them even better than the pros!

Easy Pizza Crust - makes a jelly roll (10 x 15) pan

4 1/4 c flour
2 T active dry yeast or 2 packets active dry yeast
1 t salt
1/4 c cooking oil
2 c very warm water

Combine 2 c flour, yeast, salt, oil and warm water in a large bowl.  Mix together with electric mixer.  Stir in remaining flour.  Knead on a floured surface for 2 minutes.  You may add more flour - dough should be very soft but not sticky.  Let rest 10 minutes.  Roll out and place in a sprayed pan.  Let rise 1/2 hour.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  Cover with toppings and bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Sauce: Ketchup (it is yummy I promise)
Cheese - I like to mix shredded cheddar and mozzarella
1 lb hamburger, browned
1 lb bacon browned
2 fresh tomatoes, diced
more cheese

After baking the secend time, top with shredded lettuce and serve

BBQ Chicken Pizza Hawaiian Style

Sauce - bbq sauce
Cheese - mozzarella
Cooked chunks of chicken
Drained pineapple tidbits
Slivered Almonds
Shredded sweetened coconut
more cheese

If you want  you can add sunflower seeds, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms and omit the pineapple, almonds and coconut for regular bbq chicken pizza.

Taco Pizza

Sauce - Salsa
1 lb hamburger, browned with taco seasoning
Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese
fresh tomatoes, sliced
sliced olives
1 can black beans, drained
more cheese
If you want, you could add jalapenos or diced green chilies

Before serving add shredded lettuce.

Lasagna Pizza

Sauce - spaghetti sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage cheese, small curd and drained
Browned Hamburger if desired
more sauce
More mozzarella and parmesan

Stuffed Crust Pizza

Just cut string cheese in half lengthwise and put along edge of crust and fold crust over and tuck it under the cheese.  Then make as usual.

I love to "steal" ideas from real pizza places and make them at home!

Heart and Tummy Warming Soups

Hearty Mushroom Soup

(This is an extremely healthy but delicious soup.  I used the lowfat soup and reduced sodium broth

and it is my new favorite soup!)

8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
4 ribs celery, sliced
2 carrots, grated
2 cans (or 3 1/2 cups) chicken broth
1 can cr of mushroom soup
1/2 c quick cooking barley or orzo pasta
1/2 t dried thyme
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper

Saute mushrooms and celery in a sprayed large skillet.  Add cr of mushroom soup and stir.  Add rest of ingredients.  Bring to a boil and simmer until pasta is tender.  Makes about 4 servings.

Potato Bacon Chowder

4 - 6 potatoes, peeled (if desired) and diced
8 - 12 slices of bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces)
2 c water
2 cans cr of chicken soup
1 c sour cream
1 1/2 c milk
salt and pepper as desired
1 T dried parsley

Cook bacon in soup pot until crisp.  Leave in pan with drippings.  Put in potatoes.  Pour in water and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender.  Stir in soup.  Then add sour cream and stir in well.  Slowly add milk and spices and heat through.  Makes about 8 servings.

Easy Cream Soup

Basic recipe:

4 - 6 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cube margarine or butter
water
1/2 c flour
1 can evaporated milk

Place potatoes (and other veggies) into a large soup pot.  Add butter and enough water to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil and simmer until veggies are tender.  In a bowl, whisk together the flour and the milk and add to veggie mixture.  Simmer until thickened.  Salt and pepper to taste. Then add any meat or cheese.

For Seafood Chowder:

Add canned shrimp, tuna and/or minced clams with the milk and flour mixture.  Add any other desired vegetables (carrots, celery, onion) with the potatoes.  I also like to drain the seafood and add the juice in with the water.

For Vegetable Chowder:

Add celery, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and/or carrots with the potatoes.  Then after you add the milk, stir in frozen peas and a can of drained corn.

Broccoli Cheese Soup:

Add broccoli (one large bunch or 1 bag frozen - we like fresh better) with the potatoes.  After you add the milk, stir in 2 c of grated cheese.

Sweet Hamburger Soup

Yes - I said sweet.  It is so yummy!

1 lb hamburger, browned
2 cans creamed corn
2 cans diced or crushed tomatoes
4 grated carrots
2 cans cr of mushroom soup
1/2 c brown sugar (or more to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Simmer all ingredients together until warmed through.