Oh My... Pizza Pie!!! BBQ Ranch Chicken Pizza

Here's some good news! if you follow my blog and made the awesome pretzels, you are one step ahead of the crowd! I used the same dough recipe to make homemade pizza dough! I will post the recipe again in case you missed it! This time.. we rolled it out onto our pizza stone! I would highly suggest you pick one of these little gems up at the store next time.. they are amazing! we made sure to poke the pizza with a fork so that the air would be able to escape(shout out to Hunter) we baked it for 10-15 minutes with no topping so that it would be good and crispy! Once it game out, we slathered it with awesome KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce... We cheated and purchased a rotisserie chicken at the store.. shredded the meat and had it waiting in a hot tub of BBQ sauce! After making sure my ADHD self had the sauce perfect, we piled on the chicken.. literally.. we piled it on! we used a whole chicken for one pizza.. then came my favorite part.. the cheese! We used shredded mozzarella! WOW.. We put that puppy back into the oven and salivated for the next 20 minutes while it baked! I think we each checked the oven window 4 times while it was baking. Below is the finished product.. Enjoy!!! I almost forgot.. you drizzle the top of the pizza with Ranch dressing when you are ready to eat! I could only eat one piece because it was so big! for those of you who read this first.. i am an dummy for not putting the dough recipe.. duh~

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil
• 3 quarts water
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
• Coarse sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. 
3. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
4. Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil.
5. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
7. Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.
8. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. 
9. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. 
10. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape into the lengths or shapes that you want (sticks are easy and tasty).  
11. Boil the pretzels in the water solution in batches. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. 
12. Place pretzels on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. 
13. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. 
14. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.
15. Add additional toppings immediately after they come out of the oven.

How does Homemade Cheddar Cheese Sauce sound??

Disclaimer: Chris has already asked for this recipe again! It was super easy and really really really yummy! This is one of those go to recipes that you can make on a busy night after work. You can all thank Ms. Paula Deen for this one too!

Pretzel-crusted Chicken with Cheddar Cheese Sauce (my mouth is watering already)

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels (make sure to crush them really good)

1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme

1 1/2 poundas chicken cutlets ( we cheated and used tenders)

1/4 cup olive oil divided

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. in a shallow dish, whisk together egg and mustard until smooth. in a separate bowl combine pretzels and thyme

2. dip chicken into the egg mixture letting the excess drip off then dredge in the pretzel mixture coating well

3. in a large nonstick skiller, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. add half of the chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through. remove the chicken from the skillet and put under foil to keep warm. repreat proceedure until chicken is all cooked.  

4. in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. add the flour and cook by whisking constantly. this generally takes a few minutes. once cooked, slowly add the milk whisking until smooth. cook for about 6 to 8 minutes until the sauce is thick. slowly add the cheese and continue to whisk... and boom! you have whisked your arm off but you have made a darn good cheese sauce that can be used on anything! (caution.. your arm may be sore tomorrow)

we ate this awesome chicken with fresh corn off the cob and of course.. Texas Toast!! 

Dawkins' Diner.. don't mind if I do!

I am a sucker for a good Patty Melt. I love the buttery crunchy bread, the ooey gooey cheese, and the sweet crunch of the caramelized onions.. yumm-o! I found this recipe on Pintrest but it came from one of my hero's... The Pioneer  Woman! This woman is a true inspiration to all women! I am going to get right to it! Chris was a big help in the kitchen as we embarked on this diner journey. We did say that next time we make this.. because... there will be a next time... we are doing to patty the meat thinner! you will soon see what I am talking about. Here is goes peeps!

Pioneer Woman Patty Melts:

Ingredients

• 1 stick Butter
• 1 whole Large Onion, Halved And Sliced
• 1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 5 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
• 8 slices Swiss Cheese
• 8 slices Rye Bread

Preparation Instructions

In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Throw in the sliced onions and cook slowly for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and soft.

In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire. Form into 4 patties.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties on both sides until totally done in the middle.

Assemble patty melts this way: Slice of bread, slice of cheese, hamburger patty, 1/4 of the cooked onions, another slice of cheese, and another slice of bread. On a clean griddle or in a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and grill the sandwiches over medium heat until golden brown. Remove the sandwiches and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Turn the sandwiches to the skillet, flipping them to the other side. Cook until golden brown and crisp, and until cheese is melted.

Slice in half and serve immediately!

using a cast iron skillet is the only way to go for this recipe

no fancy side dish for this monster sandwich. just plain shells and cheese with rotel drained and added

What's for Dinner?? MEATLOAF and MASHED POTATOES

As I sat down on the couch today to start catching up on my blogging, my sweet husband Chris said ," babe, what's for dinner?" it seems like this question is asked in nearly every household on a daily basis. My answer is usually i don't know.. what do you want? He then says.. lets try something from Pintrest! Wow how things have changed. I rarely head to the kitchen to flip through books and books.. rather, I get on my computer and head to my most favorite place to get recipes.... Pintrest! This site has changed the world one recipe, craft, outfit at a time. Alright.. back to the basics.. The Dawkins' household has been eating good these days. Oddly enough.. some of these recipes are from Paula Deen's Fall Favorites magazine that my awesome MIL (Mother in Love) gave to me! She had an extra copy!! Score for me!!!  Below you will find the recipes and a little about each of them. I hope you all enjoy the recipes i put on here.. If there is anything you would like me to try.. don't be afraid to comment and let me know.. Also.. I enjoy hearing about your cooking success stories too! Let me know if you try any of the featured recipes! Here's to good eatin'!!!

Todays Recipes include: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Patty Melts, Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders and Scratch Cheddar Cheese Sauce, and last but not least Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes: From Paula
 2 lbs ground chuck
1 6oz can tomato paste, divided
1 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup dijon mustard divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 1/4 teaspoons salt divided
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Garnish: Parsley

1. preheat oven to 350. line a rimmed backing sheet with aluminum foil. spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray
2. in a large bowl, combine ground chuck 3 tablespoons tomato paste, crackers, onion, celery, 2 tablespoons mustard, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt,and pepper. Shape mixture into a 12 inch loaf on prepared backing sheet. bake for 30 minutes
3. in a small bowl, combine remaining tomato paste, remaining 2 tablespoons mustard, remaining salt, brown sugar, and lemon juice. spread over the prepared meatloaf and bake for 30 minutes or more until the internal temp of the meat is 165. let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. ( be warned.. ours did not slice and serve like the beautiful picture showed in the magazine.. none the less... it was still amazing!)

here is what ours looked like.. for the mashed potatoes... the secret is to cut the potatoes in like shapes.. put them in cold water and let the water come to a boil with the potatoes in it.. then smash them slightly once they have dried off.. warm your milk (my great grandmothers tip) it makes your potatoes very silky. then top them with a little butter and let it melt down over the heaping pile of mashed goodness!

it is a little blurry but you get the idea.. don't forget the Texas Toast

Obsession!!! I think so!!!

well.. as you all know.. it is no lie that I LOVE TO COOK! Duh!! well.. until recently.. I didn't really understand how deeply rooted my passion was. I was talking to my new manager.. you know one of those.. get to know you type convos (which I love). I mentioned that I liked to cook and blog about it.. he looked over at my dry erase board and noticed my favorite quote "find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." (Julia Child) He immediately said.. " have you seen Julie and Julia" I replied "no".. he said.. " well then.. i think it is a must watch for you".. that's all he said.. literally.. nothing else... I was then of course left in immense suspense and had to watch the movie! I came home and what do you know.. it was scheduled to be on  tv that exact same night.. a coincidence? I think not..

here is the obsession part.. I have seen the movie 2 1/2 times since that conversation (the half is because I didn't want Chris to catch me watching it for a 3rd time) ha ha ha!! I love that movie.. if you have not seen it.. I suggest you do it now! Then I started thinking.. without a spoiler alert.. could I do it??? only time will tell!!!! Stay tuned.. don't think it will pan out but it just might in pieces! Here's a start!! Gotta love the princess spatula too... Thank you Kimmie B!!!

It's Football Time In Tennessee... Comfort Food Needed!!!

Hey everyone.. I have been up to quite a bit these days.. still getting settled into my new role and loving every minute of it. I have also been cooking quite a bit! Surprise I know! I made meatballs stuffed with mozzarella sandwiches! This one is amazing and fairly simple! Great to make ahead for those on the run nights. I also made toasted ravioli... (cheater alert) you use store bought ravioli! how much easier could it be really??? Each of these recipes could be made in snack size bites so they would be perfect for a tailgate or just a fun game night at home with your favorite peeps! here you go.. my computer is not letting me upload pics so just recipes this time.. sorry kids!

Incredible Meatballs:
 1lb hamburger, 2 eggs, beaten with 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan , 1 cup panko or bread crumbs, 1 small onion, minced, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, freshly ground pepper to taste, 1/4 cup minced fresh basil Mix all ingredients with hands. Form into golfball sized meatballs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I bought cherry sized mozzarella bites and stuffed them in the middle of the balls.. then rolled them again and put them on the cookie sheet.. Awesomeness!!! Once they were finished.. i put 3 on a toasted hoagie bun and topped it with a slice of provolone cheese and put it back in the warm oven until it was melted.. ooo.. i almost forgot.. once the meatballs were finished.. i put them in a pot with a jar of spicy marinara sauce and let them get happy for about 10 minutes.. then let the sandwich composition begin!!! Happy Eating!!! 

Slap Yourself Potatoes:
2 large potatoes, scrubbed
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Slice potatoes into very thin slices (1/4 inch). big ziploc bag to coat the potatoes. Toss potatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt in a ziplock bag to coat.  Place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 450 for 15 -20 minutes, until lightly brown.  Top with Parmesan cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Oven Toasted Ravioli:
12 round ravioli (i used the ones that come packaged in the refrigerated section: spicy beef and sausage)
1 egg
1 Tbsp milk
6 Tbps Italian bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp garlic powder ( what recipes do I make without garlic.. really)
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk together egg and milk in shallow bowl.  In another bowl or pie plate, combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.  Dip ravioli in egg and then in bread crumbs.  Place on baking sheet.  Repeat until all ravioli are coated.  Spray ravioli with cooking spray.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with warm marinara or pesto

Hope you enjoy these treats.. With the ravioli.. I cut up a zuccini and an onion and sauted them in garlic, butter, and olive oil... 

Until next time.. which will really be about 5 minutes :)

Love from the Kitchen!!!