Recently I ask my daughter and family to move in with me. To my delight they said yes. In doing so I gain access to my grandsons, two lovely dogs and as a bonus her Presto Pizzazz Pizza Oven.
I had never seen one, as I eat very little pizza unless someone else cooks it. The first night my grandson made a couple pizzas and I was hooked. Not only did the frozen pizza taste like take out, I loved the idea of what I could cook with the oven.
In the coming days I tried several of my grilling recipes. I had to do little or no adapting for them to be just as, or even better, tasting as before. Soon I was cooking full dinners on the Pizzazz Oven. If you have one of these amazing appliances, give this recipe a try.
Grilled Chicken Strips
1 lb uncooked Chicken Strips
1/4 cup of virgin olive oil
1 T Mrs Dash [flavor of your choice]
3 large potatoes [washed and cut in 6 wedges each]
2 med tomatoes [sliced]
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
6-8 basil leaves [opt]
There is no need to preheat but you can spray PAM on the surface of the oven.
Using two zip lock plastic bags, divide the olive oil into them. In the first one place your chicken. Zip it shut, using your hands, move the chicken around until each piece is lightly coated. Open the bag and pour in the Mrs Dash, shut and repeat until the chicken is covered in spices. Turn on Pizzazz Oven and begin to lay out your chicken.
In the other bag place your potato wedges and do the same as the chicken. Making sure each piece is coated in olive oil. Place them around the oven, skin side down. You might need some care when placing the food on the oven, you need to keep the surface balanced, to ensure even cooking. The potatoes and chicken will cook about the same time limit, 5-7 minutes depending on their thickness. There is no need to turn them over as the oven heats from both sides.
About two minutes before the first food item are done, you can place the tomatoes on the oven. You may have to move some of the other items around to make room. If you can not find the room for the tomatoes at this time, you can put them on the oven after the potatoes are done. You also might want to use a piece of foil under your tomato slices if they are juicy, it might make a little mess on your counter top. Place one tomato slice with a couple basil leaves, then sprinkle the cheese on top. Once the cheese has melted the tomatoes are ready to be put on a plate. This meal serves 4 but can be adjusted easily.
All in all, with prep and cooking time, the meal took me about 30 minutes.
Faylee
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Grilling Time is Here
Looking at the grocery ads from yesterdays paper made me want summer to hurry. I saw the first spring corn on the cob being offered at a low price. Now I'm all for low prices, but the thought of corn on the cob in April was exciting for me. So today I am sharing with you one of my favorites quick meals from the grill. [If you do not have a grill, it can be adapted for cooking inside]
Spicy Chicken with Corn and Pasta
6 oz. pasta [I prefer angel hair pasta but any will do]
3 ears of fresh corn [cut into 2-3 inch pieces]
4 small chicken breast [boneless]
2 med. tomatoes [sliced]
1 1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
3 T lime juice
1/2 t salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Using the extra eye on the grill, heat a pot of water to the boiling point. Add the salt and pasta. Cook pasta as directed on the package. In the last two minutes of pasta cooking add the corn.
While the water is heating, coat the chicken in 1/2 of the olive oil and 1/2 of the chili powder, placing it on the grill. If you feel the need of salt and pepper, now is the time to add it to the top of your meat. Grill the chicken 4-5 minutes before turning it over. All in all you want it to be on the heat for a total of 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken. After turning, salt and pepper again. if needed. Mix the remain olive oil, chili powder and lime juice to form a dressing.
When the pasta and corn have cooked, drain off the water, letting the corn and pasta rest as you place two slices of tomato, one chicken breast on each plate. Now add the corn and pasta, then drizzle the dressing over the mixture. Freshly made and fresh tasting,,,yummy!
[Serves 4]
Spicy Chicken with Corn and Pasta
6 oz. pasta [I prefer angel hair pasta but any will do]
3 ears of fresh corn [cut into 2-3 inch pieces]
4 small chicken breast [boneless]
2 med. tomatoes [sliced]
1 1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
3 T lime juice
1/2 t salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Using the extra eye on the grill, heat a pot of water to the boiling point. Add the salt and pasta. Cook pasta as directed on the package. In the last two minutes of pasta cooking add the corn.
While the water is heating, coat the chicken in 1/2 of the olive oil and 1/2 of the chili powder, placing it on the grill. If you feel the need of salt and pepper, now is the time to add it to the top of your meat. Grill the chicken 4-5 minutes before turning it over. All in all you want it to be on the heat for a total of 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken. After turning, salt and pepper again. if needed. Mix the remain olive oil, chili powder and lime juice to form a dressing.
When the pasta and corn have cooked, drain off the water, letting the corn and pasta rest as you place two slices of tomato, one chicken breast on each plate. Now add the corn and pasta, then drizzle the dressing over the mixture. Freshly made and fresh tasting,,,yummy!
[Serves 4]
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Easy Tips for the Tired Cook
Making a meatloaf for dinner and you do not want to get your hands all messy:
Put all your ingredients in a large zip plastic bag, then knead everything together. Even the kids can help with this method. When all is mixed open the bag and slid the mixture into a loaf pan. Pat it down to get all the air bubbles out, using the bag as protection for your fingers. Pop it into the oven, throw out the bag. No mess to clean up.
Artichoke Steaming:
You want a nice looking artichoke but have no holder, slice a large onion, then use the outer rings to sit the artichoke upright in your pan. They might take on a slight flavor from the onion but they will be impressive to your guest.
Tired of Soggy Rice:
When cooking the rice place a clean folded towel between the pot and lid. When the water boils the towel will catch the steam and wont let it drip back into the pan. There will be no time difference in the cooking but you will have a fluffier, less starch looking rice.
Less Fat in your Meats:
If you find your ground meat has to much fat when browning, take the crust end of a loaf of bread, laying it face down into the pan and it will absorb all the excess fat. It is also a good way to skim off the fat from the top of a pot of homemade soup.
Cake Pan Coating:
When I'm baking a cake and it calls for a flouring of the pans, I sugar instead. The sugar spreads easier and doesn't leave a white cover on the cake. It will leave a slight sweet coating on the cake bottom and sides.
A Neater Butter Dish:
When placing your fresh stick of butter in the dish, slice it into serving size portions. It looks prettier but it's also easier to get it from the butter dish to your plate.
Faylee
Put all your ingredients in a large zip plastic bag, then knead everything together. Even the kids can help with this method. When all is mixed open the bag and slid the mixture into a loaf pan. Pat it down to get all the air bubbles out, using the bag as protection for your fingers. Pop it into the oven, throw out the bag. No mess to clean up.
Artichoke Steaming:
You want a nice looking artichoke but have no holder, slice a large onion, then use the outer rings to sit the artichoke upright in your pan. They might take on a slight flavor from the onion but they will be impressive to your guest.
Tired of Soggy Rice:
When cooking the rice place a clean folded towel between the pot and lid. When the water boils the towel will catch the steam and wont let it drip back into the pan. There will be no time difference in the cooking but you will have a fluffier, less starch looking rice.
Less Fat in your Meats:
If you find your ground meat has to much fat when browning, take the crust end of a loaf of bread, laying it face down into the pan and it will absorb all the excess fat. It is also a good way to skim off the fat from the top of a pot of homemade soup.
Cake Pan Coating:
When I'm baking a cake and it calls for a flouring of the pans, I sugar instead. The sugar spreads easier and doesn't leave a white cover on the cake. It will leave a slight sweet coating on the cake bottom and sides.
A Neater Butter Dish:
When placing your fresh stick of butter in the dish, slice it into serving size portions. It looks prettier but it's also easier to get it from the butter dish to your plate.
Faylee
Friday, April 17, 2009
Cleaning Gas Grill before Grilling
After you have grilled the last steak, if you take a few minutes to clean your grill it will be so much easier the next time. The excitement of inviting everyone over for a bite to eat, dims when you have to face a dirty grill.
When all the food has been cooked, turn the gas jets up, all the way. Close the lid on the grill. You want to burn off all the stuck on food bits and pieces. This should take no more than five minutes. You want to take extra special care that no guest, especially children, are in your cleaning area.
When the burning off phase is completed, turn off the gas not only on the grill but at the tank also. Using a wire metal brush, go over the grill until the all the residue from your cooking is gone. If you have no brush, take a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil, crush it in your hands then precede to clean the particles off the grill. If you have a pair of work gloves, wear them as the grill will still be very hot.
Wash the side bars of the grill with hot soapy water to get rid of any grease that might have splattered in the cooking process. Rinse well, as old grease can get a terrible odor with age. When all the cleaning has been done and the grill cooled enough, cover it. This way it will be waiting for you when the party urge hits you the next time.
At least once or twice a year, depending on how often you use your grill, make the effort to do a complete cleaning. Take the grill apart, down to the gas jets. Yes, this means taking out the rocks and any other grilling aids you have added to your pit. You want to be able to see the bottom of the grill. Check for flaws, such as small holes, cracks and/or built up grease pockets. Using hot water and soap, wash the inside of the grill. You will want to rinse until all signs of the soap are gone. A water hose is a great rinse tool. It helps to get into all the small places, plus with a small tool at the end of your hose you can pressure wash the remaining debris out and away.
Once the washing and rinsing is finished, turn the gas back on. Letting the flames burn long enough to dry the grill inside and out.
You may also want to use this time to repaint your grill. You can buy grill spray paint at most home centers or auto stores. A fresh coat will make everyone think you have a new grill. Replacing your grill rocks at this time is usually a good idea too.
As with most things, when taken care of, grills will last many years. Bringing pleasure to you, your family and friends.
Bon Appetite, Faylee
When all the food has been cooked, turn the gas jets up, all the way. Close the lid on the grill. You want to burn off all the stuck on food bits and pieces. This should take no more than five minutes. You want to take extra special care that no guest, especially children, are in your cleaning area.
When the burning off phase is completed, turn off the gas not only on the grill but at the tank also. Using a wire metal brush, go over the grill until the all the residue from your cooking is gone. If you have no brush, take a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil, crush it in your hands then precede to clean the particles off the grill. If you have a pair of work gloves, wear them as the grill will still be very hot.
Wash the side bars of the grill with hot soapy water to get rid of any grease that might have splattered in the cooking process. Rinse well, as old grease can get a terrible odor with age. When all the cleaning has been done and the grill cooled enough, cover it. This way it will be waiting for you when the party urge hits you the next time.
At least once or twice a year, depending on how often you use your grill, make the effort to do a complete cleaning. Take the grill apart, down to the gas jets. Yes, this means taking out the rocks and any other grilling aids you have added to your pit. You want to be able to see the bottom of the grill. Check for flaws, such as small holes, cracks and/or built up grease pockets. Using hot water and soap, wash the inside of the grill. You will want to rinse until all signs of the soap are gone. A water hose is a great rinse tool. It helps to get into all the small places, plus with a small tool at the end of your hose you can pressure wash the remaining debris out and away.
Once the washing and rinsing is finished, turn the gas back on. Letting the flames burn long enough to dry the grill inside and out.
You may also want to use this time to repaint your grill. You can buy grill spray paint at most home centers or auto stores. A fresh coat will make everyone think you have a new grill. Replacing your grill rocks at this time is usually a good idea too.
As with most things, when taken care of, grills will last many years. Bringing pleasure to you, your family and friends.
Bon Appetite, Faylee
Thursday, April 16, 2009
BBQ Weather, Time to learn the Basics
Basic facts for good BBQing, starting with the correct tools. You will need,
[1] Long handle tongs
[2] Long handle spatula
[3] 2-3 thick towels
[4] 1 damp to wet cloth
[5] 1 metal wire brush and/or scraper
[6] a source to grill [gas, charcoal, electric]
I also keep a spray bottle of water and one box of baking soda, near by for the occasional flair up of hot grease. The water will cool the grill and the soda will smother out the flames, if needed.
Set up your cooking area in a safe place, near your guest but far way enough to not endanger your house or guest. About ten feet is a good general rule.
Never leave your grill unattended. If you have to walk away, assign someone to take your place.
Always place your tools in a safe place when not using them. As they are longer and normally heavier, you could hurt yourself or a guest accidentally.
Having a helper who can keep running children or pets from coming into your cooking area is a great benefit, also.
Now that you are ready to get busy with the meal, don't forget to invite me.
Faylee
[1] Long handle tongs
[2] Long handle spatula
[3] 2-3 thick towels
[4] 1 damp to wet cloth
[5] 1 metal wire brush and/or scraper
[6] a source to grill [gas, charcoal, electric]
I also keep a spray bottle of water and one box of baking soda, near by for the occasional flair up of hot grease. The water will cool the grill and the soda will smother out the flames, if needed.
Set up your cooking area in a safe place, near your guest but far way enough to not endanger your house or guest. About ten feet is a good general rule.
Never leave your grill unattended. If you have to walk away, assign someone to take your place.
Always place your tools in a safe place when not using them. As they are longer and normally heavier, you could hurt yourself or a guest accidentally.
Having a helper who can keep running children or pets from coming into your cooking area is a great benefit, also.
Now that you are ready to get busy with the meal, don't forget to invite me.
Faylee
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Joy
Joy is possible in any economy. As free willed people, we each have a right to choose how we live our lives. Each day is filled with possibilities and it's up to us to find all of them.
Life wasn't meant to be mistake free. We would not know what was sweet if we didn't taste the bitter on occasion. The rain must fall to make us appreciate the sunlight. When we appreciate, we share the joy within us.
Deciding who we share our joy with, is up to us but the more we give a way the more it comes back to us.
Your days will be filled with promises. Let it into your heart, your mind and life. For it costs no man or woman to spread the joy they have within.
Faylee
Life wasn't meant to be mistake free. We would not know what was sweet if we didn't taste the bitter on occasion. The rain must fall to make us appreciate the sunlight. When we appreciate, we share the joy within us.
Deciding who we share our joy with, is up to us but the more we give a way the more it comes back to us.
Your days will be filled with promises. Let it into your heart, your mind and life. For it costs no man or woman to spread the joy they have within.
Faylee
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wonders of Spring
What is it about Spring that brings out the best in us? Shouldn't it just be another day on the calender? Another time for us to do our normal things, moving us from one place to another?
Instead it brings smiles where there was frowns, giggles and laughter where they were tears,,,aaaaa the marvels of Spring.
Today I'm sitting in my office with the sun coming over my shoulders as I type this. Yesterday is was 34 degrees and snowing. Today it is a sunny and bright 50 degrees. The Earth is shaking off it's last remnants of Winter, offering up the promise of a glorious Spring.
Let us use this time to renew not only our little part of the earth but our lives. Make plans for the adventures of summer. What ever it is,,,,the big family reunion or a quiet trip to far away places. Now is the time to put all the pieces together, in your mind, in your imagination and in your heart.
Wishing you a day filled with sunshine and rainbows,
Faylee
Instead it brings smiles where there was frowns, giggles and laughter where they were tears,,,aaaaa the marvels of Spring.
Today I'm sitting in my office with the sun coming over my shoulders as I type this. Yesterday is was 34 degrees and snowing. Today it is a sunny and bright 50 degrees. The Earth is shaking off it's last remnants of Winter, offering up the promise of a glorious Spring.
Let us use this time to renew not only our little part of the earth but our lives. Make plans for the adventures of summer. What ever it is,,,,the big family reunion or a quiet trip to far away places. Now is the time to put all the pieces together, in your mind, in your imagination and in your heart.
Wishing you a day filled with sunshine and rainbows,
Faylee
Worse Meal Possible
Last evening I surprised my family with the worse meal possible. Baked Chicken Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Dressing, Gravy and Green Beans. When I was putting that menu on paper and in my head it seemed a done deal. No way that someone who has been cooking for as long as I have could ruin it, but I did.
If lemon goes with chicken why doesn't lime? Same citrus family, pretty green and smells so good but on my chicken breasts it turned bitter and uneatable. I made the dressing just as the package said, but it was so dry, we thought we were eating sand. The mashed potatoes was good, not great but good,,,yippie, something was good and the green beans,,,aaa, where were the green beans?? Could it be, that maybe I forgot them,,,oh yes, still in the freezer, waiting my special touch.
So you see, even a cook with years of experience can have an off night. Do not think so badly of yourself is things do not come out right every time. That's why they have practice time in NASCAR and we have try, try again in life.
For more recipes and cooking tips look on my website http://www.hassieskitchentable.com/
Have a great day, and keep trying!
Faylee
If lemon goes with chicken why doesn't lime? Same citrus family, pretty green and smells so good but on my chicken breasts it turned bitter and uneatable. I made the dressing just as the package said, but it was so dry, we thought we were eating sand. The mashed potatoes was good, not great but good,,,yippie, something was good and the green beans,,,aaa, where were the green beans?? Could it be, that maybe I forgot them,,,oh yes, still in the freezer, waiting my special touch.
So you see, even a cook with years of experience can have an off night. Do not think so badly of yourself is things do not come out right every time. That's why they have practice time in NASCAR and we have try, try again in life.
For more recipes and cooking tips look on my website http://www.hassieskitchentable.com/
Have a great day, and keep trying!
Faylee
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