Friday, January 28, 2011

Celeina's Salad

My favorite salad is made by my mother-in-law, Celeina. It is so easy and quick to make and SO delicious. I love it served alongside anything and everything from pizza to pasta to crab legs to a big chunk of Ciabatta bread. The salad is amazing on its own as well. 


3 heads Romaine lettuce - chopped into bite sized pieces
1 jar sundried tomatoes in olive oil - chopped 
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives - chopped
1 container herbed Feta cheese crumbles
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Jan's Crazy Salt

Combine everything in a bowl and DIG IN!


Broccoli Vodka Sauce Pizza

1 bag pre-made pizza dough
1 bag shredded mozzarella
1 cup Vodka Sauce
1 cup diced canned tomatoes 
1 bag cut broccoli florets
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
spray pam
1 tablespoon crazy salt
*Optional: Kalamata Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts

1. Allow the dough to rise in the bag for atleast 1 hour in a warm area. 
2. Preheat the oven to atleast 500 degrees F. Cook the broccoli in a skillet, or a wok, over medium heat. To keep it low in cal/fat, use the spray pam to  keep the broccoli moist and from sticking. Season with Crazy Salt, or your favorite seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and still firm to taste.
3. When the dough is big a puffy, punch it down on a floured surface. Use your hands (or a roller) to flatten to the dough out to whatever shape you are cooking on. 
4. Use flour or cornmeal to coat the cookie sheet or baking stone. Transfer the dough carefully. Top with the diced tomatoes and vodka sauce. Add the broccoli, shredded mozz, and parmesan cheese. Add optional diced kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts.
5. Cook pizza for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is soft, but firm.

Serve alongside a small salad!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

PatSam's Hot Wings


 Here is the recipe for my Dad's FAVORITE Hot Wings. They are SO easy, so tender, and so good!

1 stick Land O'Lakes Non-Salted Butter, plus 1/4 stick butter
1/2 Large Bottle Frank's RedHot Thick Original Sauce
12 Chicken Wings/Wingettes

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, heat the RedHot Sauce over medium-low heat. Add the stick of butter and turn the heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes.
2. Place the 1/4 stick butter in a microwave safe dish and cover with a paper towel. Melt the butter in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
3. Pour the melted butter in a large glass baking dish. Add the chicken. Drizzle the heated RedHot/Butter mixture over the chicken. Use a large spoon to make sure that all of the chicken is coated.
4. Bake the wings uncovered for 40 minutes - checking  and stirring the wings around in the sauce every 10 minutes. You must make sure the wings stay moist or they will dry out!
5. Serve alongside blue cheese dressing and celery!  

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Vegetarian Tex Mex Naan

This looks kinda yucky but tastes AMAZING!

Since I can't really eat meat anymore (my tummy won't digest it), I have been exploring the wonderful world of "fake meats." I picked up Lightlife Smart Tex Mex the other day and fell in love. It tastes just like a meaty-beany southwestern filling and would be great in a burrito or used in an enchilada recipe!

I decided to warm this up, place it on some Trader Joe's Naan bread, top with salsa, cheddar cheese, and romaine lettuce. MMMMMMMM was it good!!! I definitely recommend this concoction if you are looking for a very filling, absolutely delicious, meatless meal sometime soon! Try it out...I dare ya!

1/2 bag Lightlift Tex Mex (heated following directions on bag)
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 cup shredded Romaine letter
Chunky spicy salsa (however much you like!)
1 piece Trader Joe's Naan Bread (cooked in toaster oven on 400F for 5 min)