Pizza on the Grill

We love pizza at our house. We make it often, usually at least once a week. But when the weather is hot (as is mostly is in Leeward Oahu), using the oven can be unbearable. So I decided to try cooking our pizza outside on the grill.

Use your favorite pizza dough recipe. I like to use whole wheat flour and a generous amount of olive oil in mine for best flavor. Roll out your dough inside, then brush with more olive oil to prevent sticking and place your crust right on the clean grill over hot coals.

Let cook for a minute or so, then flip over with a couple of spatulas and grill the other side. Once it's cooked a bit, add your sauce,

and your favorite toppings (I used grilled peppers and asparagus. Spinach, mushroom and tomato is great too. Or for purists, just pepperoni.)

 Then spread on the cheese

and cover the grill for 5- 10 minutes. Check it every minute or two to make sure your crust doesn't burn.

This was a bit more work than making it in the oven, but it was fun and the house definitely stayed cooler this way. When I do it again, I'll probably make individual pizzas (or at least 2 small ones instead of one big one) to ensure that the crust cooks evenly... the edges of mine weren't as crispy as I like them to be.

Bon appetit!

Lorie

Father's Day Banner

I am thinking Miss H should be a guest poster here on Paisley. I am always featuring HER work rather than my own. However, please note, the idea is MINE, the creativity of a toddler is what makes it cute!

Miss H - with Oma's scissor help (and not so great graphic art help) - made a cute and inexpensive banner for Daddy to celebrate his special day on Sunday. Note...the theme is fishing...just in case it got lost in the translation.

We hung it up for pictures and then hid it away until Sunday morning.


Bags of microwave popcorn are covered, candy-bar wrapper style, in Miss H's favorite color 'RAINBOW' featuring how to say 'daddy' in several languages. The fish are colored to be specific breeds of fish (are they called breeds?).


Another popcorn with a computer generated wrapper.

A candy bar printed with clip art for Miss H to personalize before wrapping and attaching to the banner.

This is a 'Rainbow Catfish' just in case you weren't aware of that species, hehe.


You may have noticed in the first photo, the center of the banner has a large green Ticket Admitting One to a fishing trip with Dad.

I guarantee Dad will love this banner A) because Miss H made it B) He has treats to take on a fishing trip C) He will be EXPECTED to go fishing with his girls who have their own poles - oh poor him, hehe.

This only cost the price of the candy bars and popcorn. Inexpensive, but made with priceless LOVE!

Happy Father's Day to all and Happy Fishing to Daddy Moser!

~jan (and Miss H).




I have linked to a few of THESE parties. Thanks all you creative ladies!
AND

Tickled Tastebuds Tuesday

What better way to kick off Father's Day, than a tasty breakfast for the man/daddy of your household?

When thinking of men, I generally try to think hearty meals but,

I know my man has a sweet tooth that isnt prejudice to any particular time of day.

So, for his Fathers day breakfast/ brunch {depending how late he sleeps in!} I will be making Banana Nut Pancakes...with a side of BACON!
To start his day off sweet....rather than heavy!

Banana Nut Pancakes

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup whipped topping

1 cup pancake mix

1 tablespoon sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 medium ripe banana, mashed

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1.In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in whipped topping (mixture will be stiff); set aside.

2.In a bowl, combine pancake mix and sugar. Beat egg, milk and oil; add to pancake mix and mix well. Fold in banana and pecans. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle; turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown. Serve with cream topping.

I think I might add some caramel sauce in addition to the topping. Yum!

And...
Happy Father's Day to all you Fab Dads!

-Amanda

Slow-Cooker Saturday

Slow Cooking Macaroni and Cheese

So easy on a warm summer day. Throw it in stir once or twice during cooking and Tah-Dah...homemade mac and cheese that kids will love.

3 cups almost cooked macaroni
1 1/2 Tbl. melted butter
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups evaporated milk
1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 t. salt
1/4 t. fine ground pepper


Toss macaroni with butter in a large bowl. Combine remaining ingredients and then poor into slow cooker. Keep covered and cook about 2 1/2 hours. Stir a couple of times during cooking. **You can used processed cheese for this as well and you may prefer sauteing the onion while cooking the bacon. (I cheat and used already cooked REAL bacon pieces).

This recipe is my adaptation from this slow cooking recipe book. A great recipe to serve for a playdate luncheon, take to a friend in need or as a side dish to your neighborhood bbq. Happy Cooking Y'all!



Linked to some of THESE parties. Thanks ladies!AND...
http://www.momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/
http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com/
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2011/06/foodie-friday-picnic-in-country.html

Scented Play Dough

I love fun times with the granddaughter! Play-doh is one of our favorite activities. Miss H can be incredibly creative- as I have said repeatedly. This recipe is one I have made many times for my children as they grew up and also for my pre-k class I taught for 2 years. Not only is this colorful - but it smells good too.

Kool-aid Play Dough.
1 c. flour
1T. oil - I use vegetable oil
1 pkg. of unsweetened Kool-aid (for color and scent)
1/4 c. salt
2T. cream of tartar (optional, but I prefer it)
1 c. water

Mix dry ingredients then add water and oil. Stir 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. When mixture forms a ball in pan, remove from heat and knead on table top until smooth. The dough will be pretty hot at first, so adult hands are necessary to knead until it cools a bit. Make sure to store this in an airtight container and in the fridge keeps a longer shelf life. It has the same consistency as store bought Play-doh.

We have had many rainy days this spring and this has been played with for countless hours in hopes that summer will soon arrive.
Happy rolling and shaping.
~jan
Participating in some of THESE linky parties.
and http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2011/06/wow-me-wednesday-12.html
http://mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/
http://www.504main.com/2011/06/tickled-pink-no-51.html