Month: February 2017

Love Is Like A Heart-Shaped Pizza

Leave a comment

Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Pizza!

Years ago I started buying heart-shaped pizza on Valentine’s Day. I can’t remember the pizza chain that started selling it in town, but there was only one. My sweetheart is a pizza lovin’ guy, so it was a perfect match. Of course, right after you get a tradition started then BAM, that single pizza place stops selling my got-to heart day meal.

Never daunted by food challenges, I decided to heck with delivery, I’m just gonna make my own.

Heart Day Pizza Melts My…Cheese, Of Course.

img_0490

Heart-Shaped Pizza Dough: Before

And as if cupid predicted it– making your own heart-shaped pizza is easy. All you have to do is buy pre-made pizza dough at the grocery story and stretch it into the heart shape. What I love about it is that I can make it like a friendship necklace heart; all cheese on one side for my sweetie and lots of veg on the other side for me. These days lots of chain pizza places make heart-shaped meals, but it’s a little more meanginfull when it’s your un-imprefect heart melting with cheesy goodness.

The Trick to Stretching Pizza Dough…

Julia Child taught me this one. To get that specific heart shape, you have to let the dough rest. Here’s what I do…

  1. Flour the dough a little, about 2 tablespoons.
  2. Drape it over the palm of one hand and gently stretch it into a circle with the other.
  3. Lay it down on your cookie sheet.
  4. Start to gently pull and stretch it into a heart, BUT…
  5. Always let the dough rest after each pull. Count to 20, or recite romantic poetry, or something.

Letting the dough rest gives it time to accept the shape you’re pulling it into. Making a heart takes several stretches and pulls, but don’t forget, this is for your true love, so it’s totally worth it.

img_0491

Heart-Shaped Pizza Dough: After

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

Curly-Q Me, Please!

1 Comment

Yes. I bought a spiralizer just to make curly fries.

img_8468

I have no shame. I’m also not a cooking gadget girl, so this was truly a spontaneous craving purchase on my part. Luckily the spiralizer and the recipe from Vegetarian Times did not let me down!

Curly Oven French Fries Recipe Review

I love this recipe and keep making it. The seasoned salt is very tasty, so don’t skip it. HOWEVER, I would change one thing. The first time I made these fries, I followed the recipe and boiled them after spiralizing– completely unnecessary and the potatoes didn’t hold up so well. No one wants mush curly fries.

I’ve re-listed it without the boiling and with a link to the original recipe.

Thanks Vegetarian Times!

Curly Oven Fries Recipe with Stephy Adjustments:

Fries

1¼ lb. large Yukon gold potatoes/ or Russet, unpeeled

3 Tbs. vegetable oil

Seasoned Salt

1½ tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. chile powder

¼ tsp. ground coriander

¼ tsp. ground cumin

¼ tsp. powdered garlic

¼ tsp. paprika

Instructions: 

1: To Make Fries: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2: Cut potatoes into curls with large-toothed blade on spiral slicer. I like the half-moon shapes and loooong curly fries, but feel free to trim them or discard the small fries.

3: Arrange curly potatoes on prepared baking sheets, and season with 1 Tbs. Seasoned Salt (see below).

4: Drizzle with oil, and toss to coat.

5: Bake 16 to 18 minutes, or until fries are lightly golden. Might take 20-25 depending on your oven.

To Make Seasoned Salt: Combine all ingredients in small bowl, and set aside.