FROM MY EYES...THE BEST PIZZA PIE...MAYBE NOT EVER...BUT I'M JUST SAYIN'

Pizza pie...it can be round..it can be square..it can be a figure eight..pie r round..cornbread r square..not always though..

I prefer my own pizza. In my time I have had a lot of different pizza experiences. May I say that I always wander back to mine. Like a cow to water. Like a dog to a bone...need I say more?

I prefer the homemade sausage to the hamburger that is in the freezer but Larry normally wins out to the hamburger...is it just me or is it all of us "Southern Women", who were raised to take care of your man, that feels this way? I am going to work on getting over that!

That being said, turn your oven to 400 degrees. Get out your blackest baking sheet. Open up a roll of refrigerated pizza dough and then commence to pat it out a little at a time until you are almost covering all surfaces. Prick it with a fork like you would a pie crust. That's right! Pour a thin layer of olive oil over the crust and take a pastry brush to it or the back of a big spoon, spreading all around. Place in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes, just let it get a little frisky, then pour some store-bought pizza sauce over it, however much you like...we like a happy amount.
Cover with a thin layer of grated mozzarella cheese. Let set while you prepare squares of green, red, and yellow bell pepper; sliced mushrooms (which I barely saute out in a little olive oil or butter); place these strategically over the sauce. Top with all the mozzarella you can get your hands on....Place in 375 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes...check it at this point and if you think it is ready, have at it, or let it cook for 5 more minutes. Enough said.

PIZZA MEATLOAF

I love this meatloaf and anybody that has had the pleasure of tasting it loves it too. It is definately not your ordinary meatloaf, but the combination of all the ingredients come together in a most satisfying way.

2 lb. ground round
2 eggs
1 cup crushed saltines
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano

Mix all the above ingredinets and place in an 8 or 9-inch baking dish or pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

8 oz. can pizza sauce
3 slices mozzarella cheese-halved
sauteed rings of green bell pepper and sliced mushrooms

Spoon the pizza sauce over the baked meatloaf and arrange the mozzarella slices over the sauce to cover meatloaf. Return to oven for 10 minutes. Place bell pepper and mushrooms over the cheese and serve with mashed potatoes and whatever green vegetable that you like.

"OREGANO: Something your kitchen cannot be without. It's strong flavor and penetrating aroma are typical of Mediterranean cuisine. A handful thrown in the bath shared with your partner is an erotic experience. "-Isabel Allende

CARAMELIZED ONION, WALNUT & BLEU CHEESE PIZZA

Red onions caramelized in butter star along side of walnuts and bleu cheese in this highly tasty pizza. Three of my favorite things!

2 tablespoons butter
5 medium red onions
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 Boboli Italian pizza crust
1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese
1/2 cup walnut pieces

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onions. Cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until soft and golden, stirring constantly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Place the piza crust on a baking sheet. Spread the onion mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the bleu cheese and walnut pieces. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.
Serves: 6 to 8

"Red onions are especially divine. I hold a slice up to the sunlight pouring in through the kitchen window, and it glows like a fine piece of antique glass. Cool watery-white with layers delicately edged with imperial purple...strong, humble, peaceful...with that fiery nub of spring green in the center..."~Mary Hayes Grieco, 'The Kitchen Mystic'

MARINATED CHICKEN PIZZA

A gusty marinade for the chicken provides plenty of flavor for this gourmet pizza.

2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/2 cup sliced green onions, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 skinned and boned chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (16oz.) Italian bread shell (Boboli)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Bake pine nuts in a shallow pan at 350 degrees, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until toasted. Set aside.

Combine 1/4 cup green onions, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add chicken, stirring to coat. Cover and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving marinade.

Cook chicken in remaining 1 tablespoon hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat 3 minutes or until done, stirring often.

Stir cornstarch into reserved marinade; add to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Spoon mixture onto bread shell. Sprinkle with cheeses.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup green onions and reserved pine nuts, and bake 2 more minutes.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

"It is my experience that those with no vices have very few virtues."~A. Lincoln

PEAR, BRIE, BROWN SUGAR, AND PECAN PIZZA

No one will be able to resist a slice of this gooey pizza that's both sweet and savory with each bite.

8oz. Brie
2 tablespoons butter
2 pears, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Bartlett is a good choice)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (16-oz.) Italian bread shell, such as Boboli
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 to 4 tablespoons light brown sugar

Remove and discard rind from cheese. Cut cheese into cubes; set aside.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pear, and saute 3 minutes or until tender; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Place bread shell on a large pizza pan or baking sheet. Brush shell with olive oil, and top with cheese cubes. Spread cooked pear mixture over cheese; sprinkle with pecans and brown sugar. Bake at 500 degrees for 5 minutes. Slice pizza into wedges, and serve immediately.
Yield: 8 servings

"Instant gratification is not fast enough."~Carrie Fisher

TASTY TACO PIZZA

Tried and true and all ages love it. Fed my children this when they were still at home and the neighbors children, and cousins, and friends. When we lived in Linville there were always people dropping in. Miss those days, but it is SNOWING there right at this moment and NOT here!

1 lb. ground beef
16 oz. can tomato sauce
1 (1.25 oz.) pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 (8oz.) can crescent rolls
1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1 small can black olive slices

Brown meat, drain. Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning mix, simmer 5 minutes. Unroll dough, press onto bottom and sides with fork. Bake at 375 degrees, 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cover crust with meat mixture; top with Velveeta cheese. Continue baking until cheese begins to melt. Top with remaining ingredients. Serve with dollops of sour cream. Serves 4 to 6.

THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
"There are hermit souls that live withdrawn, in the peace of their self-content: There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, in a fellowness firmament; there are pioneer souls that blaze their paths, where highways never ran-but let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road where the race of men go by-the men who are good and the men who are bad, as good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat, or hurl the cynic's ban-let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.
I see from the house by the side of the road, by the side of the highway of life, the men who press with ardor of hope, the men who are faint with the strife. Bur I turn not away from their smiles or their tears, both parts of an infinate plan-Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.
I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, and mountains of wearisome height, that the road passes on through the long afternoon, and stretches way into the night. And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice and weep with the strangers that moan, as I live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man."-Sam Walter Foss

SAVORY SHRIMP PIZZA

This pizza will become a favorite on your table. We absolutely love it.

1 lg. Boboli crust; 1 to 2 cloves garlic-diced; 4 or 5 green onions-chopped; 4 Roma tomatoes-chopped; 1 Tbsp. Olive oil; 1 lb. Shrimp-just cooked until done-peeled; splash of white wine; 1/4 tsp. dried crushed red pepper or more to taste; 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray pizza pan with cooking spray and place crust on pan. Lightly saute garlic, onion and tomatoes in oil. Add shrimp, wine and red pepper, heat through, cover and turn off burner. Sprinkle crust with half of the cheese. Heat crust just until cheese melts. Put shrimp mixture on top of cheese with slotted spoon, arranging shrimp around crust. Top with remaining cheese and bake until cheese is melted. 6 to 8 slices

"Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you, Deep peace of the Sun of Peace to you. -An Old Gaelic Poem

PIZZA MEATLOAF

This meatloaf is so good. If you have children in your house this is a must-make for you, but young and old alike love it.

Mix 2 lbs lean ground beef with 2 eggs, 1 cup crushed saltines, 1 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ( now u know I like that high-dollar freshly grated imported stuff but use what u got), 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. oregano-thats dried-if using fresh throw a whole Tbsp. in there..I like Greek oregano..it's aroma penetrates my brain and senses very finely.
Place that in 8-inch baking dish and bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until done.
Next spoon an 8-oz. can of pizza sauce over and arrange 3 or 4 halved slices of mozzarella over the sauce. Return to oven for 10 minutes. Saute bell peppers..again use what u got...cut into rings, with sliced mushrooms and arrange over the cheese. To Die For!

Try throwing a handful of fresh Greek oregano into your bath water. Shared with your partner it can be an erotic experience! Or alone a very soulful experience....whatever works for u.

Rosa Hartley wrote on October 4, 2009 at 9:46am
Sounds really good since we are Pizza lovers. Adele, I think ya got a little Dr. Ruth in ya! LOL

Adele wrote: I think its more than a little lol