Pizza two ways

First, the dough.... dissolve 2 t active dry yeast in 1 cup of warm water. Add 2 3/4 whole wheat flour, 1 T olive oil, 1 T sugar and 1 t salt. (I have a kitchen aid mixer so I put on my bread hook and mix for 8 minutes) if you don't have one knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.Place in bowl coated with cooking spray, turn once to coat & cover. Let rise in a warm place (I turn my oven for a few minutes to warm and turn back off and leave dough in there) if its summer I just leave it out on the patio. Leave to rise until dough doubles, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down & roll into a 15 inch circle, transfer to pizza pan and build up a crust on edges. Bake at 400* for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and add toppings!

Chicken Pesto Pizza
1/2 lb chicken cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 small onion halved and thinly sliced
1/2 red pepper or yellow pepper, julienned
3 T prepared pesto
1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 t pepper & salt

In large skillet over med heat, cook chicken, onion and pepper in 2 T olive oil until chicken is no longer pink & veggies are tender. Remove from heat and spread dough with pesto, top with chicken and cheese mixture. Sprinkle with pepper and salt.

Bake 400* for 15 minutes & ENJOY!!

Tomato Basil Pizza
2 T olive oil
2 cups mozzarella cheese (sliced or grated)
1 large tomato thinly sliced
fresh torn basil leaves

Drizzle dough with olive oil, top with tomatoes basil leaves and cheese. Bake 400* 15 min & enjoy!!!

Francis and I loved both of these pizzas but I figured the kids would not go for it so I divided the dough and made them a small pizza and they picked their own toppings of tomato sauce, mozzarella and olives. It was fun for them to top their own pizzas :)

Chicken Orange Pasta Salad

2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta

2 cups cooked chicken

2 celery ribs chopped

1 can (110z) mandarin oranges drained

1/3 c plain yogurt

1/3 c mayo

1/4 c orange juice concentrate

1 T white vinegar

2 t sugar

1/4t salt

1/4 t ground mustard

3 cups torn salad greens

Cook pasta. Drain & rinse with cold water. Combine chicken, pasta, celery, & oranges. In a separate small bowl mix yogurt, oj concentrate, vinegar, sugar, salt & mustard with whisk. Pour over pasta mixture and add greens...toss and enjoy!

* I also added a handful of chinese crunchy noodles for some texture. SOOO good!!!

The Pioneer Woman

I started the week sick of my all of my recipes, I needed somthing fresh & new! I decided to look at blogs and find some new recipes. 4 of the 5 I found were on The Pioneer Woman's website. She is perfection! Her recipes are hearty, easy to understand (lots of pics) and SO dang good! Before you click on her link make sure that you clear your schedule and are able to sit at the computer without a kid on your lap because it is magnificent! Oh and get a pen and paper out because you will want to make a grocery list to make all of her yummy recipes!

First, you must make this Steak Sandwich it was so filling and very easy to make. Mr. Becker LOVED it and the kids liked the steak cut into small bite sized bits.

Then move on to this bacon chicken sandwich that my husband even took to work the next day (and this man HATES leftovers)

and these cookies are pretty delish!

I am going to make recipes tonight and tomorrow from another blog and if they are good I will post links to them as well :) For now, enjoy the Pioneer Woman!

The BEST Sugar Cookies!

Mix 1 cup shortening(I used butter flavored) with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar, mix 1 minute until creamy and add 1/2 t vanilla and 1 small egg.

In separate bowl mix 2 cups flour with 1/2 baking soda, 1/2 t baking powder and 1/8t salt.

Add to shortening mix.

Use small cookie scoop or spoon to form balls and roll in sugar (coat well)

Bake 375* for 9 minutes. Let cool & enjoy!