French Onion Soup PIZZA!!!!!!!

Yes, you read correctly. French onion soup pizza. And let me start by saying it was AMAZING!!!! Especially if you like onions.

Let me back up...  I was trying to figure out dinner this past week and saw a lonely bread dough in the freezer.  I plunked it onto the table and let it thaw. I knew that we were having lasagna later in the week, so I wanted to figure out something not Italian-ey to make.

I grabbed Mr. Food Pizza 1-2-3 and after perusing for a couple minutes I found "French Onion Soup Pizza"  on page 54. Most of us, in this household like French onion soup, so I figured, why not?! And the recipe was easy enough...

1 bread dough thawed, raised
2 tablespoons olive oil (I also used a tablespoon of butter.)
1 tablespoon chopped garlic (I minced it.)
4 medium sized onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick (I used 2.5 huge onions, chopped, sliced.)
3/4 tsp salt
3 tablespoons dry red wine (I used a sweet-ish red wine that I had. I also think Worcestershire sauce or beef broth would work, too.)
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (since I have to make lunch everyday, I had a whole package of deli sliced Swiss. That worked just fine!)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (or more!)

 Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.  In a large skillet, heat the oil (and butter) over medium high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and salt and saute for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the garlic and onions are well browned. Add the win cook for 1 or 2 more minutes.  Spoon the onion mixture over the prepared base and top with the Swiss and Parmesan cheeses. Bake as directed, or until the crust is crisp and brown. (I precooked the crust till it was slightly browned -- for a crispier crust.)

It tastes just like french onion soup --- but on a pizza!! Who wouldn't like that?!?!  C#2 was the only one who didn't try it. But, she is a mutant and doesn't like the soup either.  I will definitely be making this, again. 

Till next time!

Easy Peasy Pumpkin Pancakes

Per usual, there was a breakfast request last weekend. The hubby said, "Pancakes!." C#1 said, "Pumpkin pancakes!!" Well then...  I did make pumpkin pancakes back in November, since pumpkin seems to be a seasonal thing. Which in reality it really isn't.  I have plenty of canned pumpkin in my pantry!  We can have it whenever we want.

I, however, could not find that recipe. So I took it upon myself to make my own. I found two that didn't quite work and decided to combine and change and just make it work.  And it did. Beautifully!!

2 cups Bisquick (I like to cheat.)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1-2 TB sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or however much you want.)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla (I would add more, but, decided to put a "number amount" for instruction happy people.)
1/2+ cup pumpkin puree (that extra can in your pantry will work perfectly!)

Mix it all together with a whisk. Once it is mixed well scoop 1/4 cup of batter and cook on melted butter skillet. Makes about 12 or so...

Let's just say they were gone in a flash. I should have doubled the recipe and had some for leftovers. They were perfectly moist and just the right size. 

I still have a very full can of pumpkin, so I might just make a bunch and stick them in the freezer for future early morning breakfasts. Or maybe we'll just have a pumpkin pancake dinner.  Two pancakes entrees  in one week isn't too much, right?!?  I didn't think so.

That's it for today. Till next time...

Creme Brulee!! Oooh La La!

Sadly once you get back from a 24/7 food vacation it is hard to get back into not expecting super deliciousness at your beck and call.

I plunked out some mac'n'cheese with tomatoes on the side and I get a strange look. "Where's the appetizers (plural)?" "Where's MORE side dish?" "Where's my piece of baguette bread?" "Where's dessert?" *sigh* Listen up people we have to go hard core on breaking ourselves from the eat.eat.EAT! mentality. As hard as that is going to be. It must be done.

Of course, someone had the bright idea to suggest that I make creme brulee.  Allrighty then. Let me get right on it....................  I did make a small effort and picked up Mr. Food's Restaurant Favorites to casually look through. Lo and behold there was a recipe for creme brulee on page 179!! And it didn't look that difficult. And I was only missing one vital ingredient.  Whoohoo!

I had to trek the lovely children to the orthodontist and expanded on that trip to get the required ingredients for this said food adventure.

I must say it turned out great! It was very easy and I was certain I was going to burn it to the pan and create a big mess. But, I should really know better. Mr. Food usually nails it.

2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sugar, divided

6 egg yolks (HOLY EGG YOLKS, BATMAN!)

1teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla. Cook 30 minutes, stirring frequently; be careful not to boil.
    
2. Remove from heat and beat 5 to 6 minutes, or until smooth and thick. Pour equally into four 1-cup custard cups. Chill 4 to 6 hours, or until custard is very firm.
    
3. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt remaining sugar until golden, then pour over chilled custards; chill 15 to 20 minutes, or until sugar hardens. Serve, or keep chilled until ready to serve (See Note).

Note

These can be topped with melted sugar and chilled up to 2 hours before serving. (Serves 6)

I thought I would have to stand over and stir for a solid 30 minutes. But, frequently apparently doesn't mean continuously. Thank goodness! While I was preparing this, I made breakfast. I had 6 egg whites to deal with and there was no way on this planet I was throwing them out.  I went ahead and cracked 3 more whole eggs into the mix and everyone had scrambled eggs!

I should say that I followed the recipe almost exactly. When I "melted" the sugar at the end, there was a teense bit more than 1/2 cup. And that worked out just fine.  I should also mention that melted sugar is HOT!! I almost burned my hand off. I resorted to pouring it out of the pan and then sloshing the bowl around  in order to disperse the sugar properly.  This worked like a charm.

This dessert was creamy and delicious and I didn't need to get out the blow torch for the top part. It felt like it was a slightly "cheater" of a brulee recipe. Buttttttt, it tasted fantastic and everyone loved it (for the most part.) C#1 didn't like the hardened sugar. No one else agreed AT ALL! So pretty much ---> don't listen to him.

And that's it for today's adventure.  Till next time...

I gained 5lbs on vacation. But, before you judge me, look at what I had to deal with...

Yeap. You heard right. I gained 5 glorious (sarcasm) pounds on vacation. Of course, I wasn't being as careful as I should have been. And dinner started at 8:15pm -- which is one hour and fifteen minutes after I try to stop eating for the day.  And I can't forget to mention that I had to have at least 3 appetizers every day. And then there was main meal and of course dessert. **Ohhhh dessert** They were all so good and tempting and delicious and wonderful and you would have done the same!! And if you wouldn't have -- I don't believe it and I don't want to hear it.

The other bad thing about big time eating is the pictures. I had one picture that would have been a good one, except that I had a case of the "Prego or Burrito Grande" going on.  If you don't know what I am talking about google it.  The paparazzi kindly takes pictures of actresses and asks if they are prego or burrito grande. Thankfully it's all burrito grande here.  I am thinking once I have been eating "normally" for a bit, I will get myself back to where I was.

I tried to be good at breakfast -- stick to my normal eggs and coffee breakfast. But, those sneaky cinnamon buns were there almost every day. And they were down right delicious with my coffee.  

I decided to share my food pictures on my blog. Rather than, throw them at everyone on facebook. I figure, that way they can avoid the "food porn" or not.  It's all up to you. Some people don't appreciate good food pictures, as much as I do...

Cappuccino cake. A super delicious ice cream concoction.

Steak of some sort. I forget. But, I am sure it was GREAT!

Creme Brulee! This was amazing!

Key Lime Pie

Mongolian Wok. This was spicy!

Not sure what this was, but, it sure looks fantastic!

Fried shrimp with plum sauce.

Cream of potato/cheese soup. Yum!

And who doesn't love warm chocolate melting cake?!!? C#1 had this almost every night.

Seafood medley with pasta. Scrumptious!

Pineapple and orange sherbet. This was the only time I was "good" for dessert.

Prime Rib. Always great!

Chilled mango soup!!

Chateaubriand. Yes, please!!

Bitter and blanc. The vanilla sauce on top was to die for. You could just eat/drink that!

So there you have it. Why I gained some poundage. How could I not. It would have been shameful to have it any other way. And of course, this isn't even all that was eaten. There was food available 24/7.  Who can resist that?!?!?!

Till next time...