Archive for the ‘Make It’ Category

Make it – Stuffed Crust ZA

August 30th, 2010

This recipe was posted quite some time ago, but I’m posting it again because the Mister’s birthday’s coming up and it’s the meal he’s requested I make. If he deems it delicious enough for his birthday dinner, I figured those of you who missed it the first time might be interested in trying it yourself!

Some background info: The Mister is OBSESSED with Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust pizza. I realize that obsessed is a strong word and some people may even tend to over-use it. To put it simply, obsessed doesn’t even do his adoration for the stuffed crust justice. Bottom line: he loves the stuff.

Now, yes, this particular za is one tasty pie, but I’ll tell ya, I’m not real wild about the calorie and fat count. Half the pizza is more than 1,100 calories! (and you all know the Mister and I go ‘halfsies,’ cuz that’s how we roll).

I knew that some creative thinking and time in the kitchen could present an equally delicious treat that didn’t contain all the nasty fat and calories.

People, I DID IT! Not only did I manage to cut the calories to 750 calories for HALF the pizza, but it turned out even MORE delicious than the original. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but… I WILL (TOOT! TOOT!). Because I am kind of a genius.

Here’s what you’ll need:

2/3 cup Kraft 2% mozzarella cheese

2/3 cup pizza sauce (we used Mid’s)

Whole wheat pizza dough (The Mister’s favorite is Whole Foods’ Multigrain)

Reduced fat string cheese (6 pieces) (we used Sargentio’s)

Step one: Using your hands, spread the dough into a pie shaped circle.

Step two: Fold the edges of the dough over pieces of string cheese (make sure you seal the dough, or the cheese with melt out). forming a crust. Continue around the entire pie.

Step 3: Top with sauce, cheese and Italian seasonings

Step 4: Bake according to directions given with the dough

Step 5: ENJOY!

What do you typically request for your Birthday dinner? I have a special cake I’ll be making, as well – I can’t wait to share the recipe!

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Posted in Make It | 6 Comments »

Make it – Grilled Chocolate Almond Butter and Banana Waffle Sandwich

August 23rd, 2010

That sure was a mouthful, wasn’t it? Don’t worry, it’s super easy and so incredibly delicious! It’s one of those creations that I can’t help but wonder why I didn’t think of it sooner.

Welcome to what I like to call “making sure you wake up in a good mood.”

You’ll need:

Frozen Waffles, chocolate almond butter (or nutella – although justin’s is lower in sugar, or regular if you aren’t ferelin’ the cocoa), 1/2 banana, real butta.

Defrost the waffles in the microwave (do NOT toast). Spread one waffle with chocolate almond butter and top with sliced banana.

Place another waffle on top to make a sandwich. Spread butter on each side of the sandwich and transfer to a griddle or skillet on medium heat. The butter is key — please don’t fret over like 20 calories of butter, I promise it is totally worth it.

Grill for about 2 minutes each side, until golden brown.

Cut in half. Admire. Enjoy.

It’s so good, you’ll want to make one for lunch, too ;)

What do you make for breakfast when you want to start your day off smiling?

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Posted in Make It | 9 Comments »

Make it Monday – Amish-inspired apricot glazed turkey loaf

August 16th, 2010

A few weeks back, the Mister and I headed out to Amish country with the Mister’s Mama and stepdad to look at…CRIBS! And while I’m sure you all find that topic positively thrilling, that’s not why I bring it up. I bring it up because the Amish know their food. After gorging myself on freshly baked bread, local vegetables and home-cooked turkey, I basically had to waddle out of the restaurant. But not before snatching this…

Apricot jam. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, I just knew I had to have it. I mean, just look how much fun Mrs. Miller is having on the front! At the very least, I figured I’d be having lots of bread. And you all know that’s no problem for me ;)

But I was determined to create a dish that made this jam DANCE! And then I spotted it — a gorgeous photo of marmalade glazed meatloaf. It was then that I knew I would create a similar dish with my apricot jam. After reviewing several recipes (and consulting my original turkey meatloaf), here’s what I came up with:

You’ll need

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 2/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup egg beaters
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons Apricot Jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease an 8 X 4-inch loaf pan.

Combine turkey, oatmeal, onion, garlic, parsley, egg beaters, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Take off your  jewelry. Now mash it up with your hands – don’t be shy! I actually find this part to be stress- relieving. Make sure you get all ingredients incorporated.

Transfer mixture to loaf pan, patting the top to make it smooth.

Mix together remaining ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Apricot Jam and spread over meatloaf.

Bake until meat is not longer pink, about 55 to 60 minutes, or when an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F.

Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes, then cut into slices and serve.

This dish serves only 4, so make sure you cut yourself a nice big slice ;)

Look at me! Once afraid of meatloaf! This really goes to show that anyone can overcome foodie fears or apprehension.

As much as I’d love to show my final product, I don’t want to turn you off from making it.

Seriously. No matter what I do, I just cannot seem to get meatloaf to photographwell! Turst me, If I showed you my photo you… hmmm I just won’t go there. Anyway, here’s a professional photo, so just imagine this is what mine looked like:

Delicious, no? Go make this meatloaf and I promise you’ll feel like a domestic goddess.

Have you overcome any foodies fears that you now currently enjoy?

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Posted in Make It | 5 Comments »

Make it – FAMOUS Whole Wheat Pancakes

August 9th, 2010

As some of you may know, the Mister and I don’t take NYC meals lightly. Last time, we planned entire trips around cupcakes and za! (stay tuned for new places to add to the list!)

Knowing how serious we are about our food, our friend Ian took us to one of the best brunch spots in NYC — Sarabeth’s. Raved about by OPRAH herself, Sarabeth’s has an incredible reputation in the city for amazing baked good, fresh preserves and brunch concoctions.

From the website:

In 1981, Sarabeth and Bill Levine opened a tiny bakery-kitchen to make and sell her preserves and baked goods. A few tables and chairs were soon added, first for breakfast and then for lunch. The little store, with its unique charm and wholesomely delicious products became an instant success with discriminating New Yorkers.

Right away, I knew which dish I’d be ordering. Whole Wheat Pancakes with Bananas and Wheatberries.

Me. Oh. My.

I knew right away that it would be cruel and unusual punishment for me to share these delectable discs of heaven without sharing a recipe so you can make them, as well.

Armed with gumption and my best persuasive voice, I planned on calling Ms. Sarabeth and DEMANDING she share her famous recipe with all of you. Luckily, Ms. Sarabeth was about 2356 steps ahead of me and already has the recipe posted on her website. And you were all really excited for me to be assertive weren’t you? Well shucks, guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

What WAS meant to be is your enjoyment for these pancakes. Make them. Invite your friends and slowly watch as they begin to treat you like a queen (or king for my handsome, make readers). I suggest doubling the batch, because you’ll definitely want need more than one serving.

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup unbleached flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups milk
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • Clarified Butter
  • Warm pure maple syrup, for serving
  • Unsalted butter, softened, for serving

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 6 minutes

Cooking time: 2 minutes

In a large bowl, whisk the whole wheat and unbleached flours, baking powder, sugar, and salt to combine, and make a well in the center. In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and egg yolks until mixed.

Pour into the well. Using a wooden spoon, stir just until the batter is mixed. Do not overbeat – a few tiny lumps of flour may remain.

In a small, greasefree bowl, beat the egg whites just until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter.

Preheat the griddle and grease the griddle with the clarified butter.

Using a scant 1/3 cup for each pancake, pour the batter onto the griddle, leaving an inch or so between the pancakes. Cook until tiny bubbles appear on the surface of the batter, about 1 minute. Carefully turn the pancakes and cook until the other side is golden brown, about 1 more minute.

Serve immediately on warmed plates, with the syrup and butter on the side. Top with bananas and wheatberries (or your favorite toppings).

I’ll be making these next weekend, or sometime this week for dinner — just need to go polish my crown so I’m ready for the admiration ;)

Posted in Make It | 6 Comments »

Make it – Homemade, fresh fruit slushies

July 26th, 2010

Good morning, Friends! Happy Monday!

Today’s recipe is something the whole family will enjoy – SLUSHIES!

As I was driving around this weekend (melting of course), I had an incredible urge to stop at 7-eleven and slurp down an EXTRA LARGE Blue-Raspberry Slushie.

But who wants all the extra sugar? (we all know that If I’m going to have lots of sugar, it better be in the form of frosting ;) )

I started brainstorming and came up with an equally delicious, even more refreshing solution – homemade, fresh-fruit slushies!

You’ll need:

  • 4 cups fresh fruit, washed (I find berries work best – blackberries, blueberries, strawberries. etc., but why not try peach, mango or melon?)
  • 1/3 cup 100% juice concentrate (I used White Grape Juice Concentrate, but you could use strawberry, blueberry, regular grape, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

First, combine all ingredients in a food processor (or blender) and puree until smooth. Strain mixture into a glass baking dish, using a fine sieve. Freeze for 2-4 hours.

Using a fork, scrape the frozen puree. Freeze again for an hour or so more. Use a fork to rake through the mixture again. Repeat.  Serve in small dishes and eat with a spoon, or pour into glasses and add fresh juice or 7-up, to reach your desired slurpy consistency! Top with a scoop of ice cream for an added treat ;)

Experiment with your own flavor combinations! I’ll be happy to eat any mess-ups ;)

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Posted in Make It | 3 Comments »

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