Gozney Pizza Dough

This recipe requires minimal ingredients but it does require time.  I've converted this to my standard of easiness: I use instant yeast which cuts down on 1 of the 2 rise times.  I also make a double batch and freeze half of the dough balls for a quick pizza night any day of the week.  And because I prefer not to measure any of my ingredients by grams, or to mix any of my dough by hand, I've modified the ratios.

Gozney Pizza Dough

Recipe modified from Gozney

12 cups flour

2 Tbsp salt

1 1/2 tsp instant yeast 

5 c. water

Combine all dry ingredients in an electric mixing bowl.  Add water and mix for 10 minutes.  

Roll dough out onto greased counter or cutting board.  Cut in half and let rest for 5-10 minutes.

Cut each half into 6 equal pieces (a scale is helpful here).  Shape each piece by hand into a smooth, flattened round.  Place 6 rounds on a greased or silicone lined baking sheet and cover with a lid.

Place cookie sheets in fridge if using in the next day or two, or freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to make pizza, remove dough balls from fridge and leave out at room temperature for at lease 6 hours (9-12 hours if frozen).

Veggie Omelette

If you love zucchini and you haven't tried it with eggs yet - this recipe is for you.  If you love vegetables, this recipe is for you.  If most breakfasts leave you hungry in a few hours, this is for you.  If most breakfast foods can also double as a dinner meal, this can easily be doubled or tripled if you wanted more than a single serving.  Use a larger skillet and slice it up pizza style.

Veggie Omelette

1 small zucchini

2 eggs

1/4-1/2 c. greens of choice (I love arugula or spinach)

2 Tbsp. sausage crumbles (or meat of choice)

2 Tbsp. green onions

1/4 c. bell pepper, chopped

1/4 c. diced tomatoes

Slice zucchini evenly in rounds.  Spray a small skillet with cooking spray and line zucchini in pan.  Cook on medium heat until brown spots are visible, about 5-10 minutes.  Flip each piece and season with salt and pepper.

Whisk eggs and and pour evenly over zucchini.  Top with greens, sausage and onions.  Reduce heat to medium-low, put a lid on the skillet and cook until egg is no longer runny in the middle, around 5-10 minutes.

Remove from skillet and top with peppers and tomatoes.

Crispy Tacos

Crispy Blackstone Tacos are great for feeding a crowd, and can be used with your favorite meat of choice.  We generally serve ours alongside Cilantro Lime Quinoa or Rice, with corn, but these make great appetizers as well.  Try not to overstuff these; you want them easily folding to maximize crisp shell on both sides.  If you don't have a favorite enchilada sauce, I will often use the leftover meat sauce/drippings.

Crispy Blackstone Tacos

1 lb. shredded meat of choice (we love Mexican Beef, Sweet Pork and Chicken)

corn tortillas

1 can black beans

1 c. chopped white onion

1 c. chopped cilantro

1-2 c. enchilada sauce

Dip each corn tortilla in the enchilada sauce, turning to coat both sides.  On lightly greased Blackstone, place each tortilla.  Sprinkle with a small amount of cheese.  Spread 1-2 Tbsp. of meat on 1/2 of the tortilla, and top with a small spoon full of beans.  Sprinkle with onion and cilantro.  
Fold tortilla in half and grill until crispy, turning to crisp the other side.

Serve with pico de gallo or salsa and sides of choice.

Beet and Apple Salad

This salad has made it into my lunch rotation on repeat several times a week this year.  It has a little bit of everything going on and hits all of the flavor and texture must haves.  I like to serve this along side leftover grilled chicken.

If you don't have or want to take the time to roast your beets, canned (including pickled) will work great as well!

Beet and Apple Salad

1 c. arugula

1 c. lettuce/greens of choice

1/2 apple, diced

1/2 c. roasted beets, diced

1/4 c. pistachios, shelled

1/4 c. cottage cheese (or feta, blue, goat)

1-2 Tbsp. Dijon Dressing (recipe below)

Layer everything in the order listed below.  Drizzle with dressing.

Dijon Dressing

Recipe modified from Vanilla and Bean

4 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

3 tsp. honey

pinch sale

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Add all ingredients to a jar and whisk together with a fork.

Smoked Meat Loaf

Hands down one of the best meatloaf recipes we've tried.  This is not for the calorie deficit eater; this meal is packed with cheesy goodness.  We've modified it slightly to include ingredients we always have on hand, and reducing the amount of cheese/calories per serving.  Even with modifications, this is amazingly crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside and will please the whole family.

Smoked Meat Loaf
Recipe modified from Gimme some Grilling

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground sausage

1 lb. ground turkey

3 eggs

2/3 c. yellow onion, chopped small 

3/4 c. Panko bread crumbs

1 1/2  tsp. seasoned salt

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 c. shredded cheese of choice

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Shape into 2 large loaves.

Smoke at 325 degrees until internal temperature reaches 165, about 1 1/2 hours.

Remove from smoker and allow to rest for 5 minutes.  

Slice and serve.

Caramel Apples

Apples are in full swing right now, and caramel is always amazing.  Need I say more?

Now, I am all about buying pre-packaged caramels and melting them for an easy apple dipping sauce, but if you find yourself needing a home-made version, this one is pretty great.

You can roll these babies in whatever toppings your heart desires, but we opted for mini M&M's, home made granola, coconut, sliced almonds, and drizzled chocolate.

Caramel Apples

Recipe from Our Best Bites

1 lb. dark brown sugar (about 2 cups packed)

2 sticks butter

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

2/3 c. dark corn syrup (I used honey)

1/3 c. pure maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. molasses

1/4 tsp. salt

Apples (covers at least 12)

popscicle sticks

assorted toppings of choice

Thoroughly wash and dry apples.

Place sticks in apples and place in a dish or baking sheet in the fridge to chill.

Prepare toppings in bowls.

To make the caramel, combine the first 8 ingredients in a large nonstick saucepan.

Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves (about 15 minutes), occasionally wiping down the sides of the pan.

Increase heat to medium-high.

Cook caramel at a rolling boil, stirring constantly but slowly, until candy thermometer registers 236 degrees (about 10-15 minutes).

Pour caramel into a deep, skinny bowl, large enough to fit an apple.

Dip chilled apples in caramel mixture, and roll in desired toppings.

Reheat caramel if it becomes too thick to dip.

Apple Fritter Bread

This delicious, festive fall loaf is bursting with that classic apple cinnamon flavor!  This is great as an alternative to muffins in the morning, or perfect for an afternoon snack.  It could even double as a dessert, though I majorly deducted the amount of sugar called for.  I also opted for whole wheat flour, but you could use white if that is what you like or have on hand.  You can use any type of apple you have lying around, but granny smith are always a great choice for baking.
We all loved it, especially the kiddo's!

Apple Fritter Bread

Recipe modified from The Baking ChocolaTess

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 c. white sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. flour (white or wheat)

1 3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. milk

2 apples, peeled and chopped

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Glaze

1/4 c. powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. milk or cream, plus more if needed for consistency

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat white sugar and butter together until creamy.

Add eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition.

Add vanilla.

Add flour and baking powder into creamed mixture and stir until blended.

Add milk, and mix until smooth.

In a separate bowl, add the remaining Tbsp. sugar and tsp. cinnamon to the chopped apples, and stir to coat evenly.

Pour half of the batter into a large greased loaf pan.

Sprinkle half of the chopped apples over batter.

Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture over apples.

Lightly pat apple mixture into batter.

Pout remaining batter over the apples.

Top with remaining apples, and remaining brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Lightly pat apples into batter.

Using a knife or spoon, gently swirl the brown sugar mixture through loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle of loaf comes out clean.

To make the glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk together, adding more of either until desired consistency is reached.

Let bread cool for at least 15 minutes before drizzling with glaze.