Quick Easy Homemade Pizza

I found this homemade crust recipe and really like that I don't have to let it rise til double, punch down and rise again. Plus, it's really good!
Tonight I substituted about 1/2 c of whole wheat flour to it.

1 c warm water
1 T yeast
1/2 t salt
1/3 t sugar
1 1/2 T oil
2 1/2-3 c flour
1-2 c shredded Mozzarella
1/4 c shredded Parm.
1 c your favorite sauce
Toppings of your choice
Preheat oven to 350.
Stir yeast in warm water until dissolved. Add salt, sugar, and oil. Stir in flour slowly. Form dough into ball and knead on coutertop 5 min (or in stand mixer about 2 min). When you press your finger into the dough it should spring back...then you know you've kneaded enough. I briefly knead by hand on a floured surface. Form into ball and let rest on counter covered by a towel 10-15 min. Press dough out onto pizza pan or stone and let rise in 350 oven 5-10 min. Take out of oven and turn the heat up to 425. Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese. Bake at 425 for 20-25 min.

Mom's Spaghetti Sauce

I make this and freeze it.

2 16oz cans tomato sauce
2 16oz cans Italian diced tomatoes
1 12oz can tomato paste
1/4 c spaghetti seasoning
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1/3 c sugar
1 c chopped onion
1 lb. hamburger or sausage, fried and drained, optional
2 med. fresh tomatoes, diced
1 8oz package of mushrooms (I finely chop so the kids don't complain) I added this ingredient

Saute garlic and onion in 1 t olive oil. Add all other ingredients except fresh tomatoes and simmer 1 hour or more. Add fresh diced tomatoes and simmer 5 min more.

Grilled Brauts or Sausages with Peppers and Onions

The onions get a great flavor from the brats! I have also been using the turkey brauts I found at Kroger. Very moist and tender!

2 large onions, sliced thinly
1/2 t table salt
1/4 t ground black pepper
2 red bell peppers, seeded and quartered
1 green bell pepper, seeded and quartered
2 lbs. hot or sweet Italian sausages or brauts
9x13 disposable foil pan

Turn all burners of gas grill on high for 15 min. Scrape grate clean. Meanwhile, combine onions, salt and pepper in microwave safe dish with lid. Cover and microwave 5 min. (onions should begin to soften) Stir once half way through cooking. Transfer to disposable pan. Place peppers and sausages in single layer over onions and wrap pan tightly with foil.

Place roasting pan in center of grill, cover grill, and cook 15 min. on med-high heat. Move pan to one side of grill and remove foil. Place sausages and peppers directly on grate and grill til sausages are golden brown on all sides. Grill pepper pieces until charred. Transfer sausages and peppers to platter and tent loosely with foil. Cover grill and continue cooking onions until liquid evaporates and onions begin to brown (5-10 min longer). Cut peppers in strips and serve on the side with sausages.

Easy Lasagna

Yes, this is a really easy one....especially when you want that lasagna taste with out all the work.


Easy Lasagna

Serves: 4-6

24-26 oz pasta sauce
2 (18-20oz) bags refrigerated large cheese ravioli
1 (10oz) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (8oz) bag mozzarella
1/2 c grated Parmesan
1/2 lb. cooked crumbled sausage

375. Spoon thin layer of sauce in 9x13 and cover with a single layer of ravioli. Top with half of spinach, 1/2 of mozzarella, 1/2 of sausage, and 1/3 of sauce. Repeat. Top with ravioli and sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan and cover with foil. Bake 30 min. Uncover and bake 5-10 min.