Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Pizza Roll

I saw this recipe on the Food Network yesterday, tried it tonight, and was instructed to make it again, every night, forever. So I guess it was a hit! I really wouldn't mind making it often, since it only took about five minutes to put together. Here's how I made it:

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1/4 pound pancetta
fresh spinach
1 cup mozzarella cheese
olive oil

Roll out the dough into a thin rectangle--not too thin, you don't want it to tear, and you can just use your hands if you don't have a rolling pin. Drizzle a little olive oil over the dough and brush it to the edges. Spread a thin layer of mozzarella, then all the pancetta; tear the spinach into pieces and lay it over the pancetta. Sprinkle the top with more mozzarella, then gently roll the dough up into a cylinder shape. Lay it seam-side down on a greased cookie sheet, and brush the top with a little more olive oil. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until golden brown. Let it rest about five minutes before cutting it into slices.

I served this alone, but next time I'll heat up some good marinara sauce for dipping. It has also been suggested by a certain member of my family that this recipe would be good with seasoned hamburger and cheddar cheese. If I do switch up the ingredients, I'll post here how it turns out. Buon appetito!

Monday, June 16, 2008

SHRIMP IN PARMESAN BUTTER

36 lg. shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 c. butter
3 tbsp. capers
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese

In large skillet, melt butter and saute shrimp, capers, garlic, and lemon juice until shrimp is done, 5-10 minutes. Add Parmesan and serve over spaghetti, linguine or other pasta. Serves 4.

* This was really good, but you can cut back on the butter and still be ok.

From cooks.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Asparagus Alternative

I really like asparagus and it's in season now, so it's a great summer vegetable. I usually grill or steam it, but this broiled version is nice too!

1 lb asparagus, trimmed
2 Tbs. olive oil
S&P

Heat oven broiler. On a baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil, S&P to coat. Arrange in a single layer and broil, shaking occasionally - about 6-8 minutes.

This works well with broccoli too, but I roast it at 400 instead.

Rosemary Chicken & Zucchini

This is from Real Simple and looks great!

1 lb. new potatoes
2 carrots
2 zucchini
1 bunch Rosemary (I Tbs.)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
S&P
2 Tbs. Olive oil
2 Tbs. Whole grain mustard

Heat oven to 400. Quarter potatoes and cut carrots and zucchini into 2-inch sticks. Mix vegetables in bowl with olive oil, mustard, rosemary, S&P. Pour into 9x13 dish and place chicken on top (season chicken with S&P first). Roast for 25 minutes, toss vegetables and turn chicken, continue roasting until chicken is done (about 20-25 more minutes.