Two Cheese Sweet Onion Pizza

onion

onionWhat You Need:

3 C white bread flour
1 pkg. quick rising yeast
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 C of water
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 lb. fresh spinach, trimmed
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 C Parmesan cheese, grated
1 (8 oz.) pkg. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 C sweet Vidalia onion, sliced thin

How to Make It:

In a mixing bowl blend together the flour, yeast, salt and sugar.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the water and 2 tbsp of the olive oil 5 minutes or until a thermometer reads 130 degrees.
Pour the heated water over the flour mixture and mixed until the dough forms a ball.
Knead the dough with your hands 10 times.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.
Set the grill to preheat to medium hot temperature.
Over high heat in a sauce pan cover the spinach with water and bring to a roiling boil.
Cover the pan, adjust the heat to low and cook 3 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.
Drain and cool the spinach then squeeze out any extra water.
Coarsely chop the spinach.
Separate the dough into two pieces.
Spray the grill rack lightly with a non stick cooking spray.
Stretch one piece of the dough out over the grill rack.
Cook the dough covered for 5 minutes or until the bottom is browned.
Brush the top side of the dough with 1/2 tbsp of the olive oil.
Carefully flip the dough and the other side is brushed wit 1/2 tbsp of the olive oil.
Use 1 tbsp of the minced garlic and sprinkle evenly over the crust.
Half of the spinach is spread over the top of the garlic.
Half of the Parmesan cheese and half of the feta cheese are sprinkled over the spinach.
Half of the onion is placed on top.
Cover and cook the above 8 minutes being sure to check after 5 minute to make sure it is not over cooking before the cheese has melted.
If cooking too quickly move the pizza to the side away from the intense heat or lower the temperature.
Once the cheese has melted remove the pizza and keep warm while grilling the second pizza in the same manner as above.

Spinach Salad with Chicken and Berries

What You Need:

1 t + 1 T of olive oil, divided
3/4 t ground cumin, divided
1/2 t salt, divided
1/4 t pepper, divided
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 T of honey
2 T of lemon juice
2 t lemon peel, grated
1 (5 oz.) pkg. baby spinach leaves
2 pints strawberries, halved
1/3 C red onion, sliced thin

How to Make It:

Pour 1 T of the olive oil into a skillet set over medium heat.
Put 1/4 t of cumin, 1/4 t salt and 1/8 t of the pepper into a mixing bowl and blend together well.
Sprinkle the mixture over both sides of the chicken breasts.
Place the breasts in the heat oil and brown for 5 minutes.
Turn the chicken over and continue cooking 4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Place the honey into a small bowl.
Add the lemon juice and lemon peel and blend together well.
Stir in the remaining cumin, salt and pepper.
Blend in the remaining olive oil until well combined.
Place the spinach into a large salad bowl.
Add the strawberries and onion slices tossing to combine.
Slice the chicken into strips and arrange over the salad.
Pour the dressing over the entire salad and toss until completely coated.

Makes 4 servings

Its well worth the time it takes to prepare this salad. Mom will be impressed when she takes the first bit. Add some toasted pecan pieces to the salad before adding the chicken and dressing to give this salad an extra crunch.

Turkey and Spinach Pita Wraps

wraps
What You Need:

1/2 C of mayonnaise
2 t curry powder
1 lb. ground turkey breast
2 oz feta cheese with basil and tomato, crumbled
1/2 t of salt
4 pieces of pita bread
8 slices of red onion
8 spinach leaves

How to Make It:

Set the oven to the broiler setting and allow the broiler to eat.
Blend the mayonnaise and curry powder together in a small mixing bowl.
Break the turkey up slightly in a mixing bowl.
Stir in 2 T of the mayonnaise curry mixture.
Add the cheese and salt and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated together.
Form the mixture into 4 even patties.
Arrange the patties on the rack of the broiler pan.
Broil 4 inches from the heat source for 12 minutes, turning once.
Spread the remaining mayonnaise curry mixture over the 4 pieces of pita bread.
Place one patty on each of the pieces of bread.
Layer 2 slices of onion and 2 spinach leaves over each patty.
Fold the pita over the meat to make the wrap.

Makes 4 servings

Preparation time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking time: approximately 12 minutes
Total time: approximately 22 minutes

These pita wraps along with some potatoes and a fruit salad make a great surprise lunch for Mom on her special day.

Spinach and Walnut Appetizers

What You Need:

2 C of fresh spinach
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 C Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 C walnuts, chopped
1/4 C olive oil
8 celery stalks, trimmed and rinsed

How to Make It:

Puree the spinach, garlic, Parmesan cheese, walnuts and olive oil in the blender until very smooth.
Cut the celery stalks into 2 inch pieces.
Spread the mixture into each piece of the celery.
Cover the stuffed celery with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 hours.

Serves: 48 appetizers

Any remaining stuffing mixture can be used as a dip for other vegetables. Add 1/2 C plain yogurt, 1 T grated Parmesan cheese and a 1/4 t of pepper to the mixture. Blend together well. Set out with fresh vegetables on the side.

Supreme Strawberry Spinach Salad

What You Need:

1 (8 oz.) pkg. baby spinach
1/4 C red onion, sliced into rings
1 pint strawberries, sliced
8 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 C red onion, sliced into rings
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C raspberry vinegar

How to Make It:

Put the spinach into a large salad bowl.
Layer the onion rings over the spinach.
Spread the sliced strawberries over the spinach.
Sprinkle the bacon over the top of the entire salad.
Place the mayonnaise into a mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the sugar into the bowl with the mayonnaise.
Pour the raspberry vinegar into the mixture and whisk until the ingredients are completely incorporated together.
Pour the dressing over the salad and allow it to set 15 minutes while the dressing soaks into the salad.

Serves: 8

The salad won’t need to be tossed if you allow it to stand so the dressing can soak in. This leaves your salad in layers and gives it an attractive look when placed on the table. If you prefer, use a sweet salad dressing instead of the mayonnaise and sugar. Just whisk the vinegar into the salad dressing until well combined.

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Love Me Do Shrimp Pasta

What You Need:

1/2 (16 oz) box linguine noodles
1 C shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with basil and garlic, drained well
1 (3 oz) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
4 fresh spinach leaves, torn

How to Make It:

Cook the linguine according to the package direction.
Rinse under cold water and drain well.
Place a skillet over medium heat on the stove.
Add the shrimp, tomatoes and the cream cheese.
Cook 4 minutes, stirring constantly until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce is creamy.
Place the spinach leaves into a large salad bowl.
Add the shrimp mixture and toss to combine the spinach.

Serving Size: 2

This is a romantic meal that will have your true love’s heart pounding. Add a salad and a romantic chocolate dessert to top off your night.

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