Quick & Easy Pizza Dough

Quick & Easy Pizza Dough

Combine in mixing bowl:

3 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 T. sugar

1 T. yeast

Mix in:

2 T. oil

1 c. warm water

Spread out on a large pizza pan.  Bake at 375 for 10 min.  Remove from oven and add toppings.  Bake 10 to 15 minutes more.  

Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

• 2 Cans of Pizza Dough or Biscuits
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• 2 tablespoons of a really good Italian seasoning (link in post) or parsley flakes
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 – 8 oz package of pepperoni (we used the turkey)
• 1 cup Parmesean cheese
• Optional: Add a ½ teaspoon of fresh garlic or garlic powder (it’s amazing)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Cut pizza dough or biscuits into quarters
3. Cut the pepperoni into smaller pieces
4. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and toss so that the oil is spread evenly on each piece of dough
5. Bake for about 30 minutes (or until the top is brown and the center is thoroughly cooked) TIP: Be sure to check it in the middle before you pull it out. If the middle is still not cooked thoroughly be sure to leave it in another 5 minutes at a time until it’s done.
6. Flip over on to a plate while it’s still hot.
7. Serve with a side sauce and enjoy!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

A fast and easy microwave version of a holiday classic.  My Mom made this every year for Christmas....not sure how we missed getting her recipe in the Cookbook!!    She made it on the stovetop.  This is how I do it but you may have to adjust according to the wattage of your microwave.  Regardless it is worth figuring out.  This is so much easier and faster than standing over the stove stirring and stirring.

• 
  
• Microwave Peanut Brittle
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 c. raw or salted peanuts (I use raw peanuts)
• 1 T. butter
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. vanilla extract

1. 1) Spray a wooden spoon with cooking spray (makes stirring easier). Butter  baking sheet, or line it with parchment.
2. 2) Mix together the sugar and corn syrup in a large microwave-safe bowl (I use an 8 cup pyrex measuring bowl) and stir until well combined; the mixture will be stiff and hard to stir. Be sure to use a large enough bowl as this mixture bubbles up during cooking.  
3. 3) Microwave the sugar mixture uncovered on high power for 5 minutes; it will bubble vigorously.
4. 4) Add the peanuts and butter, and stir well to combine. Speed is key! The cooler the mixture becomes the harder it will be to stir.
5. 5) Microwave on high for 2 to 4 minutes, until the mixture turns to a caramel color. Start watching carefully around the 2 minute mark, and remove when the caramel color is achieved.
6. 6) Add the baking soda and vanilla. Stir quickly. The mixture will bubble furiously when these ingredients are added, giving the candy its airy texture. 
7. 7) Working FAST! Pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and spread it as evenly as possible. Let cool for about 30 minutes and break into pieces. 
8. .

Tips

• Peanuts can be replaced with almost any nut imaginable.  I prefer raw peanuts.  
• If you want to be fancy, drizzle or dip brittle pieces in melted chocolate.
• I often do a double batch, the 8 cup measuring bowl will still be big enough.    However, you have to cook it longer.  For the first cooking in step 3 I cook it for 8 minutes, stirring at 4 minutes.  For the second cooking time in step 5 I cook it for 6 to 7 minutes, I stir it after 3 1/2 minutes and then cook 3 1/2 minutes more or until turns caramel color.  These times may very depending on your microwave wattage.  My microwave is 1000 watts.