No-wait Pizza base

Although Pizza is not something that we eat often as I don't perticular like it, however, my family does so I do have a few recipes kicking around.

Here is a recipe that is real quick, requires no waiting (except for the starter to go foamy and then another 5 minutes rest time) and tastes way better then any pizza base you get in this country - take out or freezer.

Trust me, this recipe is faster start to finish then any take out you can get (over here from the moment I place the call till delivery is 45 minutes and it is usually slightly cold when it gets here).

1 pack yeast (fresh or active dry)
1 tsp sugar
1 cup look warm water (make sure it is not too hot as it will kill the yeast)
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour (plain works fine, I usually use bread flour)
2 tbs good quality olive oil
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to very high (about 230C).
In a bowl disolve the yeast with the sugar in the water. Let in stand until foamy. Depending on the water temperature it can take up to 10 minutes - this step is called "proving the yeast"

Add the flour (start with 2 1/2 cups), oil and salt.

Mix with your hands, adding flour as neccessary, until you get a smooth dough. Let the dough rise for 5 minutes

Put the dough onto a slightly floured surface and roll it into a circle. I often put it on a floured baking sheet, pat and roll it to the desired shape.
Transfer the dough onto a baking tray (or pizza pan if you have one). Spread the toping of your choice.
Bake at 230C for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Enjoy!!

Creamy Tomato-Salmon Gnocci

Went pantry shopping yesterday :) I had smoked salmon in the fridge that I originally wanted to use for Sushi but knew in the deepest of hearts that there is no way I will be making any this week. I also had Gnoccies lying around that I had not used as I wanted (frying them with onions and serving them with a salad and steaks).
The other thing I had was spring onions - I bought some to plant it. I still had some left over after I potted them. And last but not least, there was some cooking cream that needed to be used up or binned soon... Soooo this is what I came up with. It was quick, totally yummi (my kids loved it!!! My DD actually asked for seconds) and will feed four adults.


You will need:

6-8 springs onions, green and white part cut into fine rings
1 tbsp olive oil
2 handfull cherry tomatoes, halfed
200gr smoked salmon, cut into stripes
1 pack cooking cream (15%) - it is about 1 cup. (you can of course use 10% or 35%, I just used what I had at home).
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt to taste
2 packages gnocci

Cook Gnocci according to instructions. When ready drain.

While the Gnoccis are getting readdy, heat the olive oil in a pot. Add spring onions and fry gently for about 2 minutes.
Add the tomoates and fry until they get a little bit wrinkled (about 3 min). Stir frequently.
Add the salmon and fry for another minute.
Add the cream and bring the mixture to a boil. Season with nutmeg and salt. I personally don't need the salt as I find that the salmon is salty enough as it is.
Mix in the Gnocci and serve.

Tip: If you have any leftover, you can heat the whole thing up by adding just a little bit of milk.

Basic Picante Sauce

Quick, easy and way better than any store bought stuff. And you can easily adjust the level of spicyness of the sauce

1 large white or yellow onion, chopped
1 fresh jalapeno pepper
6 medium tomatoes
6 tablespoons vegetable oil (I usually use canola/rapeseed)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh, finelly chopped cilantro

Remove the stems from and tomatoes and chop into 1/4-inch pieces.

Preheat the oil to medium temperature in a large frying pan. Add the onions and saute for about 10 minutes or until tender but not brown. Add the remaining ingredients. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the jalapeno pepper after simmering the mixture.

If you want it spicier, cut the jalapeno open, remove the seeds and cook it (then remore) or cut it finely with/without seeds (with seeds is going to be much spicier)

How to Make Deli Style Chicken

 Many people love the convenience of deli style chickens. They are already cooked, ready to eat or to put in your favorite chicken dish. You can use the meat for salads and soups or any other recipe that calls for pre-cooked or left over chicken. Making it at home is really easy and doesn't cost that much - especially if you can find chicken on sales. You also get the added advantage of deciding what goes into your spice rub.

1 whole chicken weighing about 2kg – cleaned inside and out, pat dry (with a paper towel that you throw away right after!!!)

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. each onion powder, garlic powder and pepper

1 onion, quartered

Mix all spices together in a small bowl. Rub the entire chicken, inside and outside, with the spice mixture. Place the quartered onion inside the chicken cavity.

Although there are several methods, I always just do it on a roasting pan. Place the prepared chicken on a rack in the roasting pan and cook in the oven at 120 C. Bake for 5 hours.

If you are using a crock pot, then place the chicken breast side up in the crock pot. If you don't want the chicken to swim in the juices, place some potatoes at the bottom of the crock pot and place the chicken on top of it. Close the slow cooker tightly and cook on low for 8 hours. Let chicken set for a few minutes before carving.

Note: I use kosher chickens which are already salted and never mind how much you wash them, they do taste salty for some reason (I think the meat sort of absorbs some of the salt). I anyway don't like using a lot of salt, so I never put additional salt on my roasted chicken. But feel free to add it to your preferred taste.

Not your typical BBQ sauce

I don't know about you, but I LOVE BBQ... well, I am a canibal really lol

Ok, this is not your typical BBQ sauce, but still nice and not overpowering. Takes about 20 minutes to prepare (if you work slowly)

• 4 Tbs. salad Oil
• 1 Tbs. chili powder
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 2 tsp. mustard
• 2 tsp. finely minced garlic
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cumin

1. In a medium sauce pan, combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Let it set for at least one hour for the flavors to blend together.

You can either marinade your meat in it or just put it on top in the last minutes of grilling....

Cheesy Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate cream cheese cupcakes, rich and gooey. Takes no time to prepare and is a big hit everytime I make it. Oh, and you can turn it into a cake

Prep Time: 10 Min (maximum)         Yield 24 cupcakes or one large round cake

1 200gr package cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1/3 cup white sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cider vinegar (or any other mild vinegar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 175C. Line muffin tins with paper cups or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray (or prepare a 26-28 cm backing tin)
2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 1/3 full with the batter and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture. If you make a cake, slightly swirl in the cheese mixture
4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes (or 35-40 minutes if you make a cake) 

Tip: You can use a wooden spoon for mixing

Squares meet lemon

I have been making these for some time now. I cannot even remember where I got the recipe from...  The lemon taste with the crunchines of the crust is just pure yum. Ok, granted, it is not the best recipe for the those watching their cal intake

2 cups flour

½ cup powdered sugar

200gr softened butter

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

Juice and zest of 2 lemons

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 F

2.      For the crust, combine the first three ingredients in a bowl. Mix together with a fork until you get fine crumbs. Press into a 9x13” pan and bake for 20 minutes.

3.      For the filling, combine the rest of the ingredients and beat well.

4.      Pour into the warm crust and bake an additional 20 minutes, until the top looks like the moon surface (you know, craters and all)

5.      Cool and cut into squares.

6.      If you want to you can dust with more powdered sugar.