NJAC V2.0...Pizza on the BBQ

June. EEEK.  Where has the time gone?  So much has changed. Where to even start.. "hmm".  Well...  First off the West Coast this week has been absolutely blessed with sunshine.  Not too hot.  Not too cold.  Just beautiful.  Patio all dressed up.. full tank of propane.  Bring on Summer!  This is my latest version of my Pizza on the BBQ... let's call it V2.0... It's simple.. it's made with FRESHLY snipped Basil from my own herb planter!!  (yes.. I'm excited.. the herbs in my planter are actually GROWING! Who knew that  there could be a lil' bit of a green thumb in me!)... It's easy peasy.. and whether you are cooking for 2.. or.. ahem.. umm..hmm.. just 1.. this is just the right size (and leftovers make an awesome lunch!)

So after work this evening.. the sun was shining, motivation was high... Kenzie and I headed out on an evening run before I dove into the dinner plans for the evening.  Oh wait.. some of you may.. or may not know who Kenzie is... WELL... Kenzie my newest "addition".  Best running buddy ever.. and Wylie's best friend and "sister". I adopted/rescued Kenzie in the fall last year, and can't even imagine life without her.  With her bright blue eyes..she has absolutely melted my heart. Who knew I could find a dog that would love to cuddle as much as I do?! :)   Wylie and Kenzie... they are my life.  With all the crazy turns life takes.. one thing that remains constant is I get to come home to 2 unconditionally loving, loyal and amazing animals.  They are not just pets.. they are my companions. My family.

Of course.. I have to show off Wylie.. haha what a character, he's really taken to Kenzie, and his personality.. well.. haha pretty sure he thinks he's a dog... 

Annnnnyways.... back on subject.....Tonight, I used my fresh basil leaves I snipped off, feta, a basic tomato pizza sauce and cooked up some ground spicy Italian sausage, and of course, my basic pizza dough recipe.  (For some reason.. which I'm working on..but my old posts are not showing pictures.. UGH. HELP. SOMEONE!?..ANYONE!? so please excuse the earlier posts...I'm trying to find a solution ASAP).  The trick with Pizza on the BBQ is to keep it simple and light.  You'll love the crispy crust, and how quick it cooks on the BBQ...  as a good friend of mine would famously say.. A--MAZING! :p 

Pizza on the BBQ V2.0

• Pizza dough (recipe here)
• Pizza sauce (I used store bought garlic tomato pizza sauce)
• fresh basil
• 1/4 cup feta
• 1/2 package Johnsonville ground Hot Italian Sausage
• extra olive oil to grease pan / dough

- Mix up your dough per recipe

- Dough should form a nice ball, not stick to your fingers, when ready.  Add some olive oil to lightly coat bowl, cover and place dough in a draft free spot to rise ( about double in size).

- While dough is rising.  Cook up Italian Sausage, set aside to cool a bit.

- Snipe off your fresh basil... (or your fresh produce aisle should have some as well)...

HEEHEE!!  I grew that!!  Yes, I'm excited. Yes. I'm also kind of surprised. Don't judge! haha... now hopefully more will grow...  as I reeeaalllyyy love the idea of fresh herbs at my disposal! 

-Once dough is about double the size, remove from bowl, and with lightly greased hands, form the pizza crust (no need to be perfect... rustic is best!) and place on a lightly greased pizza pan.

- Preheat BBQ, all burners on high.  You want to start with as hot of a BBQ as you can to help get the perfect crust, and cook your pizza quick

- Add a light layer of sauce, add fresh basil leaves, cooked Italian sausage, and sprinkle feta

*Optional... pour yourself a glass of wine here... you've earned it... just cause. (I mean.. that's what I did anyways...)*

- Place Pizza in the center of the BBQ - all burners still on high.

- Close Lid - **this is where your pre-poured glass of wine comes into play** take a sip!  CHEERS!!

- This part shouldn't take too long.. after about 5 mins - check on the pizza, see how it's doing.  If you find the bottom of the crust is getting too crisp - turn the center burners down - or even off - to allow time for the rest of the pizza to catch up.  Once the crust is golden, and the cheese a little melted,  you are good to go!  Remove from BBQ, cut up..  Pour yourself another glass of wine.. and Enjoy!

.... just one more.... before I sign off for the evening... ( Kenzie had to try the crust as well.. I mean hey... more taste-testers the better right?!)

AND this time... It won't be months until I say hello again... I mean.. even "this chick" needs to eat :) 

Cheers!

Year # 2.... New Beginnings and Fresh Cranberry Eggnog Cinnamon Buns

Well... what can I say?!  As I enter the 2nd year for this lil' adventure.. I'm pretty sure just about everything possible that could change with my life.. has.  YUP... I mean you just gotta looooove that rollarcoaster-thing-a-ma-bob call LIFE right?!   SO... take this post as a tease of things to come. :) The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and some of my favorite fall flavours are in full season.  Think Pumpkin (scones anyone?!).  Think CRANBERRY. Think EGGNOG... Think earthy spices.  mmmmmm....  OH yes.... I LOVE THE AUTUMN.  Well let's of course start with the traditional teaser picture....  Fresh Cranberry Eggnog Cinnamon Buns.

Lucky me came into a whole 5 Gallon buckets of fresh... British Columbia Cranberries, picked right here, only minutes away from my door step! They are tart, they are super healthy... and they are perfectly plump.  Delicious!! SO... to kick off the ole' Autumn / Holiday / Fall... these Cranberry Eggnog Buns are perfecto! (and yes... I think it's a little early to stock up on Eggnog... BUT..really...there I was, all innocent, walking down the milk aisle in the grocery store.. and WHAM... it's there.. Eggnog... just calling out to me....)  I'll probably end up making a batch of these... Eggnog Scones.... But for now.. I've got a second batch of the rolls rising.... they seem to just disappear...right off your counter!  I will say, after a gorgeous hike on a beautiful crisp Autumn day.. the buns warmed up hit the spot.

Recipe is easy-peasy.  Even EASIER if you use your dough hook on your kitchen aid mixer.... Not too sweet...  just a perfect hint of eggnog and the tart pop of flavour from the fresh cranberries.  Go ahead... make up a batch.. or 3... I won't judge!

Cranberry Eggnog Cinnamon Buns

• 1 cup Eggnog
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons active yeast
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (packed) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup fresh cranberries - chopped

- Heat eggnog and 1/4 cup of butter in a small saucepan until butter is melted.  (make sure to keep stirring to avoid burning eggnog)
- Remove from heat, and let cool to lukewarm
- In the mixing bowl of your kitchen aid mixer (dough hook attachment), combine the eggnog mixture, yeast, egg, salt and 1 cup of flour.
- Gradually add remaining flour, until a nice smooth (doesn't stick to your fingers) dough has formed.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rest in a warm place until dough rises to double in size.
- Once dough has risen, combine 1/2 cup softened butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar into a small bowl.
- Roll out dough into about a 12x9 rectangle (it doesn't have to be perfect)
- Spread butter/sugar/cinnamon mixture evenly on top of rolled out dough
- Sprinkle chopped cranberries over top
- Roll up dough length wise, pinching seam to seal.
- Cut into equal sized pieces, placing each one in a lightly greased 9x13 glass pan.
- Cover, and let rise again until double in size
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Place in a 375F for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden grown
- When done, remove from oven, and let cool slightly.
- You can drizzle with an easy - eggnog/icing sugar glaze... (just mix some eggnog with icing sugar until desired consistency)

Serve Warm.... Serve Cold...  heck.. eat em' right out of the pan.. I won't judge!!  

So, you may be wondering.. what I've been up too!?  well... hmmm... let's just say.. I'm learning change is good.  I've learned I've got some pretty incredible friends, and that my family will always be there for me. I'm learned that challenging yourself is good...  and that sometimes.. all you need to lift your spirits is a simple walk outside.... just taking in all your surroundings and enjoying some of what Mother Nature offers!  Until next time.. go out...and... Just Breathe!  :) 

Saucy Baked Gnocchi...Got Wood?!

May....  Where did YOU come from?!  Doesn't matter.. you're here.  Spring is "here", kinda.  Snow is melting (in most places), and technically we're "between" seasons... no more sledding... yet a lil' early for the endless summer days floatin' on the water. *sigh* It's time to GET WOOD.  HA... okok... giggle away!  But it's true!  Seems like my life these days is all about wood... and I mean the big tall ones that grow in abundance in our beautiful province.  SO, spending a "spring" day outside, stocking up on what fuels those evenings outside round' a fire, or warms the inside of the cabin during those chilly winter nights requires a good and hearty meal to satisfy even the most hungry wanna-be-lumberjack-for-a-day. The entree for this job: Saucy Baked Gnocchi. Perfect potato dumplings baked with freshly chopped spinach, lean hot capicola, diced pancetta and ooey gooey melted mozzarella cheese all surrounded and baked in your favorite pasta sauce.  YUM YUM is right.

SO, things you need to know.  rather ... I needed to know.... There is a preferred species of tree that many people have when planning to burn inside a wood burning stove. (that's how we heat the place up at the lake). Fact: Many people don't SPELL this species of tree correct. Fact: it's not even a true FIR tree....  YUP.... I'm talking about Douglas fir  also known as Pseudotsuga menziesii as (and yes... I did just spell that correctly.. google it if you must!) :)  Chainsaws, beer, and heading out on some good old fun forestry roads.  My kind of a spring day!  

Usually, we look for the ones that already are on the ground... not green.. and just begging to be chopped up. (ie.. not too far from the road, not too wet, but still fun to get)...  It's "easy" then... trim it to a size you can drag closer to the road, drag, then cut to a predetermined size, load up truck.  repeat.  (maybe toss back a wobbly pop or 2 somewhere in there)

Then there's the time when I guess "boys will be boys" ... though I admit, I kinda liked it too... OR... there's just no Douglas fir laying around.... then ya get to play lumber jack... carefully might I add... please kids.. don't try this at home. lol  

Of course...after a long day out in the woods... the appetite is huge.... This dish is a perfect way to satisfy, it's easy to make, and the variations are endless in what actually goes IN the baked dish.  I used what I happened to have on hand... hmm... wonder what YOU can come up with?!

Saucy Baked Gnocchi

• 1 package of  mini gnocchi (or make your own... you decide!)
• 1 cup diced pancetta
• 5 slices of extra lean hot capacola salami
• 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

- Boil pot of water, and cook gnocchi, stirring occasionally, until they start to float

- In small sauce pan, cook pancetta until crispy, remove from heat and place in small bowl, reserving some of the drippings

- Dice up capacola slices, and place in small sauce pan with reserved drippings.  Fry until a little crispy.

- Drain water from gnocchi and toss in the spinach, pancetta, and salami

- Pour in half of the jar of pasta sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.  Toss well.

- Preheat oven to 375F.

- Divide gnocchi mixture into 4 oven safe serving bowls

- Pour remaining sauce over top of each bowl, and top with remaining shredded cheese

- Place bowls on a cookie sheet, and put in oven until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and golden. (about 20 - 25 mins)

- Remove from oven... and enjoy!!!

Now, if you don't have pancetta or salami... maybe toss in some cooked ground beef... or cooked diced chicken.. or even some peppers, mushrooms or really whatever you would typically toss in with a pasta... it could work. 

Cheers!!

Chicken Parmesan Rollups with a side of winter...

Happy New Year! ....better late than never right?!  Winter is in full force, new years resolutions in full effect (hopefully STILL in full effect)... and, well... even though the days may be shorter... it doesn't make them any less busy!  Most people try to eat and live healthier, becoming even more focused every start to the year... I'm no different.  My goals.... try new things. Cook/bake up some yummy meals and treats, and to "up" my game on the whole fitness front.  These Chicken Parmesan Rollups, though seemly small, pack a great big flavour punch, and help curb those cravings for hefty pasta / cheese / Italian style dishes we all love.

Using items you probably already have, these are quick and easy, tasty and truly a crowd pleaser!  I paired them with a simple garden salad a perfect week night meal.  Being that it's ready in less than an hour - start to finish - you have time to do other things... like spend the day out on the mountains!  Winter means SLEDDING in our household.... BRAAAP! ...and with some of British Columbia's best mountains right at our doorstep... who wouldn't want to take advantage of the sights!? YUP...  B.C. truly is the BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

Up in the mountains, it always seems like there are more "bluebird" days than not...  and usually when down on the Coast it's pouring rain or completely fogged in..... up in the hills... well... it's full on powder - SUN - and endless views of the mountain tops!

The sunsets are breathtaking, well worth spending a full day "playing" in the snow....

But of course... long active days, means building up quite the appetite at night.  These rollups are sure to do just the trick... especially when you don't have the strength to do much more than pour yourself a nice glass of wine and get ready to do it all again the next day!  :)

Chicken Parmesan Rollups

• 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (or 4 chicken cutlets bought at grocery store)
• 1/2 cup cornflake crumbs (panko crumbs work well too)
• 1 tablespoon oil

- Preheat oven to 475F

- (if using chicken cutlets, skip this step)  Take each chicken breast and carefully fillet the breast in half

- Place in a large freezer bag, and seal.  Using a mallet or hammer...  carefully flatten the fillets until they are roughly 1/4 inch thick.

- Lightly spray a 8 inch square baking dish with cooking spray (helps with clean up!), and spread half of the pasta sauce into bottom of pan

- In a small bowl, mix mozzarella cheese, basil and Parmesan cheese well

- On a cutting board, lay out each chicken fillet, and place a generous spoonful of the cheese filling onto the wider end of the chicken fillet, reserving at least a half cup of cheese mixture for the topping. (there will probably be more... which is perfect!)

- Carefully roll up the chicken fillet, starting from the wider end

- Place roll in the sauced baking dish, repeat with remaining chicken fillets

- Pour remaining pasta sauce evenly over the chicken rollups

- Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture over top of the sauced rollups

- Mix cornflake crumbs with the oil, and sprinkle on top of the cheese

- Bake in the oven until the crumbs are golden on top, and the chicken is fully cooked (registers 160 degrees), about 20 minutes. 

Remove from oven, serve with a fresh garden salad, garlic bread... you choose!!  Enjoy!

.....me....  Think I'll go back outside... sit around the fire... and dream of the next epic day out on the sleds!

Cheers!!