Success!

Spring break is here! I am definately enjoying my time off. I have been very busy in the kitchen! :-)

I went on to one of my all-time favorite recipe websites, www.allrecipes.com, and then did a search. Then I added all of the recipes to the shopping list. That is the neatest tool! It creates the list combines all the recipes and gives you the exact measurement needed so when you are shopping you know how much to get. It even lists the items needed by the department you will find them in. I also really like this website because it calculates the recipe for the amount of servings you want. It also gives you nutrition information. The reviews from the other users are great too!

Yesterday I did it! I created the "exotic" pizza. Not really, but that's what Steve thought, ha! I made a crust from scratch via Betty Crocker.

1 package regular yeast or dry active yeast
1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive/vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt

Cover and let rest for 20 minutes. Then roll out on to the greased/floured pan. For thin crust bake immedately, for thick crust let rise again for 30-45 min.

I made a thick crust. I made a white sauce to put on top of the pizza. I browned 1/2 # of sausage. I added 2 cloves of fresh garlic and 1 tsp of Italian seasoning. I cut up one potato, I boiled it in water. I also sliced up 1/2 an onion. When the crust came out of the oven, I spread on the white sauce. I then added the Italian sausage, potato, Hormel real bacon bits, onion, mozzarella cheese and a little cheddar on the top.

It turened out delicious! Steve admitted it WAS good. :-D I do know a thing or two when it comes to cooking and what would be good. I think it could also be made as a breakfast pizza, doing everything the same but adding scrambled eggs to the mix before baking. This was a thick crust so it was very filling.

On Monday, I made barbecued pulled pork in the crock pot...mmm...mmm...good!
I found this on allrecipes:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork/Detail.aspx
This is VERY easy. You put in the roast, pour in root beer and let it cook. When it is done add barbecue. We added Famous Dave's. I got whole wheat buns and Bibb/Boston lettuce from Trader Joe's This gave the sandwich good texture and color. I served this with a pickle and Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips. I then added Chipotle Mayo from Target for Steve, he likes things with a little more spice/heat. I just had mine plain and it was delicious.

Today for lunch I made my super-duper top secret red chili, I made my own recipe ;). That too was pretty darn good! For dinner, my 17, almost 18 year old brother is visiting. I have a beef roast in the crock pot with cream of mushroom soup and french onion mix. Here is the recipe from allrecipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Awesome-Slow-Cooker-Pot-Roast/Detail.aspx
I then added onion on top of the roast. I also added peeled potatoes and carrots. It is supposed to make it's own gravy, I am sure I am going to have to thicken it up when the meat is done. I will update later on how this turns out. So far it is all cooking very well.

I also finished a book by Jodi Picoult, My Sisters Keeper. WOW! Amazing, if you haven't read it I highly recommend it.

Skippy go neutered on Monday. He is healing very well. I wouldn't even think that he had the surgery except that he has a lampshade on his head and an incision. He runs around just like usual, his happy-go-lucky self! He has been enjoying the patio.

That is all for now, I will update later!
Tootles :o)

***UPDATE***
The roast turned out really well. I think next time I might try buying a different cut of meat. It was good, but not as good as Mom's. :-)) But for my first time, I think I did pretty darn good! The gravy turned out and the potatoes and carrots were also good. Steve really really liked it too.