I couldn’t stop drooling over Carolyn’s Cast Iron Pizza Recipe and knew I had to try it. We are obsessed with pizza in our house. Every Friday night is Pizza & Movie Night. It is an open invitation for family and friends to drop by for some pizza, a beer and a family friendly movie. Last Friday we watched “Get a Clue” the 90’s movie based on the book “The Westing Game”. It was VERY 90’s!
We tried our own “easy” version and were blown away by how much it tasted like a brick oven pizza! Carolyn has always been more skilled in the culinary arts – my cooking skills are fairly basic and I am so proud that I didn’t screw this up! We followed her directions, placed the topped pizza onto a piping hot cast iron skillet for a minute, then put it under the broiler set on high. All I can say is wow, this is how I am making pizza from now on. Crispy on the bottom, bubbly on the top, and delicious.
This is our Easy East Coast Version which doesn’t really have a recipe. We rolled pre-made pizza dough from Portland Pie Company, spread pizza sauce from Bove’s, a Vermont company, on top and then added our favorite mix of pepperoni and black olives. Be creative with your toppings, use what you love! We used our Old Mountain cast iron skillet purchased at Reny’s, if you are not from Maine you can also find them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Wdq6F7.
And that’s it! Simple, fast and super delicious.
Needed to include this picture of my new ‘Vintage 1979’ stemless wine glass; a present from Carolyn and Jennifer for my 40th birthday. Gift ideas for milestone birthdays post coming soon!
Interested in trying Stitch Fix? Now is the time to do it – for the next 32 hrs. Stitch Fix is offering $50 off your first fix! Click HERE to redeem.
Below is a shot of my first Stitch Fix – the one that got me hooked. 🙂 As other bloggers have mentioned, they do an amazing job of finding JEANS that actually fit. I’ve been searching for a good pair of jeans for years but nothing has looked right… Stitch Fix sent me the perfect pair in my first box!! Crazy!
I’m wearing Articles of Society – Tiana Skinny Jeans, Eden Society – Laysha’s Cargo Jacket, Pink Clover – Longoria Shirt and an Octavia Amare Scarf
Check out some of the other items I’ve purchased since starting Stitch Fix. As you can see I opt mostly for jeans and neutral tops. Tip: It is VERY important to be specific in the stylist notes and mention anything you are hoping to receive. In my last fix I specifically asked for jean shorts, boyfriend jeans and yoga pants – and they delivered. It amazes me how well everything fits – I don’t know how they do it. Magic?
Are you in the market for a cute v-neck t-shirt? Here’s an option that is available on Amazon! Click here to check it out: https://amzn.to/2HiF9ov
This shirt is soft and just different enough from a plain tee to make it stand out. A few things to note if you are interested in buying:
1. I wear a size 6 in most clothes and the shirt I am wearing is a medium. It is slightly snug across the chest, so if you want a larger, flowy fit definitely size up.
2. The white portion of this shirt is a bit see-through. Just wear a cami or nude bra underneath if that is an issue for you.
My go-to baby shower gift for a new mom is 75% practical items (for baby) and 25% indulgence items (for mom).
For this particular gift, I started with a collapsible laundry basket because, let’s be honest, there will be lots of laundry to do after the baby arrives! I filled the bottom with different sized diapers and a few packages of wipes. Then, I added some super-cute bibs, pacifiers and a little something for the mom post-baby. To complete the bathtub look, I laid some large bubble wrap (get it – “bubbles”) over everything and topped it all with rubber duck toys!
As an added bonus for the mom, I filled a stemless wine glass with some martini slushies from Costco along with a package of Champagne Gummy Bears for a bit of fun.
Last minute shopping? No problem, we rounded up some great Mother’s Day items that are all Amazon Prime eligible and sure to get to that special mom in time.
Guys, I love jalapenos. I didn’t used to, in fact as a kid I hated them. But I’ve gracefully aged a few years and have grown to love the spicy little peppers and pretty much everything made with them. So naturally, I thought jalapenos and pizza make a perfect combo, right? That’s why, when I came across a recipe for Jalapeno Popper Pizza over at The Wood Fired Enthusiast, I knew I had to try it.
Now, I made a few little tweaks to the recipe which I will cover here. I used all the same toppings as the original recipe, but use my own semi-whole wheat pizza dough recipe. My adapted recipe is below.
1. I made my own semi-whole-wheat pizza dough (recipe coming soon). But honestly, you can make your life easier and buy a store-made pizza dough.
2. I added shredded rotisserie chicken to my pizza to up the protein. I LOVE using rotisserie chicken in my recipes, it is a great way to use up leftover chicken because you don’t need a whole lot with the rest of the filling ingredients in this pizza.
3. My special trick to cooking awesome homemade pizza – a cast iron skillet. Don’t have a pizza oven or wood fired oven? Well, neither do I. That’s why I love, love, love my cast iron skillet and it is now the only way I make pizza at home. This is the one I have and use almost every day.
Cast Iron Jalapeno Popper Pizza
Ingredients:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup salsa verde
1/4 cup shredded cheddar
1 large jalapeno, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese
3 slices cooked, crumbled bacon
3/4 cup shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken
1 ball pre-made pizza dough
Recipe Process:
Roll out our your pizza dough with a rolling pin on a cutting board or large tray, something that doesn’t have a ridge or lip on it because we will be moving/sliding the pizza after it has it’s toppings. You’ll need to roll the dough to the approximate size of your cast iron pan, for me that is a 12 inch circle.
Next, because we will need to move the uncooked pizza, put cornmeal beneath the dough to help the crust move and not stick to the cutting board. It gives the crust a little crunch when cooked that I really like. Look at the picture below, you can do this easily by draping half of the dough over the rolling pin and spreading some cornmeal on the board, then lay that half of the dough back down and do the same on the other side.
Now it’s time to add the toppings. Mix the cream cheese, salsa verde and cheddar together in a bowl. This will be your “sauce.” You will layer that on the dough, followed by the chicken, bacon, colby jack cheese and finally jalapeno slices.
Our pizza is ready for baking, but first we need to warm up the cast iron skillet and the oven. Set the oven broiler on high and put the oven rack on the top rack position. Then, put the skillet on the stove over a medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. By doing this before baking, the crust will get crispy on the bottom. Once the skillet is smoking hot, and I mean smoking, we are going to add our pizza. This is the tricky part. Take a large spatula, or pizza peel if you have one, and hold the cutting board with one hand over the skillet, slide the pizza onto the hot pan. Alternately, use two people; one to hold the cutting board and the other to pull the pizza onto the skillet.
During the transfer, some of the toppings may fall off or the cheese may move around. That’s OK, just put whatever needs to be fixed back in place. Once on the skillet, let the dough cook for about 45 seconds to 1 minute, then transfer the entire skillet to the oven under the broiler. Let the pizza broil for about 4-5 minutes.
Every oven is different. Be sure to check it’s progress frequently. Take the pizza out when cheese is slightly browned and melted. Enjoy!
Not sure what to do with that old car seat you have laying around? Target is having their car seat recycling event again!
Now through May 5th you can bring in an old, expired car seat for them to recycle and get a 20% off coupon for a new car seat, stroller or baby item! View details here: https://goto.target.com/jaXja
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, but don’t panic! We put together some gift ideas so you can shop and order with the click of a mouse. The items below are all different price points and different styles, but I can tell you that I would love to receive ANY of them! Let’s just say I already emailed my husband a link to this page. There’s a list for Amazon and a list for Target, both with easy ordering and fast shipping.
That being said, Mother’s Day is not all about gifts and many moms would be happy to just spend the day with their family doing something relaxing while knowing that their kids and families thought about them. A homemade card, not having to make dinner, and my kids cleaning their rooms sounds like an amazing Mother’s Day to me. Last year, I asked for hydrangea flowers to plant in my garden; this year I asked for all of us to take a hike along Lake Michigan together. But, I know my husband loves to have something for me to open to help me feel appreciated. Enter this list.
1 – For Mom’s who love wine – Modern Copper Stemless Wine Glasses – Chic, useful and along with a bottle of wine you know she’ll love, makes this a gift that says “Sit and relax a while – you deserve it!” 2 – For Moms who hate to clean – iRobot Roomba Vacuum – I know what you’re thinking, I can’t get a vacuum for Mother’s Day! This is definitely a gift you give only if you KNOW the woman you are buying for would appreciate it. I, for one, would love the ability to take one of my daily tasks, like vacuuming, off my list. 3 – For Moms who love to be comfy – Lace back PJ’s – These are seriously cute and reviewers say they are incredibly comfortable. It’s a win-win! 4 – For Moms who love showing off their children – Custom Initial Necklace – This necklace is a way to personalize a gift for any mom. Whatever the number of kids, you can add a disc pendant for each. 5 – For Moms who could use some pampering – Bath Bomb Gift Set – Bath bombs are everywhere nowadays and for good reason. They feel like a small luxury at the end of a long day or week. This set comes in a super-cute gift box making it a gorgeous gift. 6 – For Moms who love to be on trend – Trendy Resin Hoop Earrings – Resin Earrings are a must-have accessory for any chic mom! 7 – For Sentimental moms (or really any mom) – Letters to My Mom Book – Kids can write letters to their Mom now for her to open later – a time capsule between mother and child. I’m not crying, you’re crying! 8 – For Moms who love to garden or cook – AeroGarden – I know it’s finally spring and many of us are planting our garden outside, but with the AeroGarden, herbs and veggies can be grown year round indoors putting dinner ingredients at your fingertips.
1 – For Mom’s who loves to journal – One Question a Day for Moms. “What is the funniest thing your child has said recently?”, this five-year journal asks a question like this everyday giving Mom the opportunity to jot down memories she doesn’t want to forget. 2 – For Mom’s who love wine – EcoVessel PORT 10oz Insulated Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Glass. Insulated to keep wine at your desired temperature, a silicone base to keep the glass from slipping, and a 100 year warranty? What more could you ask for? I love the Gold and Blue Moonlight colors. 3 – For Mom’s who love beauty products – Target Beauty Box. The all natural mom will love this beauty box full of eco-conscious products. 4 – For Mom’s who are runners or love music – Anker Wireless Earbuds. I love these wireless earbuds for running and working out, but they can be used for so much more! Listening to music or a podcast wire free makes moving about your day much easier and enjoyable. 5 – For Mom’s who love to be comfy – Women’s Pajama Set. With 5 star reviews, these pajamas are sure to be a new favorite for bedtime. 6 – For Mom’s who love their smoothies – Ninja Smart Screen Blender DUO. This is the blender we use DAILY to make our protein smoothies. If you want to go a step further, this version, Ninja Professional 1200W Kitchen System – BL685, comes with a food processor bowl too. 7 – For Mom’s who love jewelry with clean lines – Mama Bear Bolo Bracelet. A truly versatile bracelet she can wear with any outfit. 8 – For Sentimental moms (or really any mom)Letter’s To My Mom Book. Kids can write letters to their Mom’s now for her to open later – a time capsule between mother and child. I’m not crying, you’re crying… again!
Our house definitely doesn’t have one style to define it. A little modern farmhouse, add some traditional elements, marble, different wood tones and more I just like different objects, textures and looks. And, lot’s of gray and white, especially in our family room. We have a gray couch, white walls, a slate gray fireplace, and white and gray marble tile surround. So with that in mind, I wanted to start bringing in more color to liven things up a bit. To do that, I purchased these OK Lighting teal glass lamps.
Although these lamps look a little coastal in style, I like how they give my family room a lighter, airy quality. Amazon lists these lamps as “blue” in color. I do not agree with that, they are definitely a teal/sea glass color. The tone of the teal color mixes in nicely with the cool grays and whites in my decor. The shade is a slight off-white, I do not consider it cream like some reviewers. The bottom of the lamp is open and the glass has a slight ripple texture to it.
Between the two of us, Nanette and I know LOTS of babies, toddlers and little kids. We have many, many nieces and nephews along with friends who recently had or are having babies. And, because we know that many small kids, it means we attend lots of birthday parties. I have come to love giving a custom name puzzle by Fat Brain Toys as a gift for a first birthday or kids of toddler age. This puzzle is at a great price point, kids love it, parents love it!
Having bought a number of these puzzles, I can say the quality is excellent. The letters are slightly raised which makes it a bit easier to handle for smaller hands. It’s a gift that can grows with the child as they get older. In fact, the parents of the first child that I gave this puzzle to ended up gluing the letters into the puzzle once he got too old to play with it and hung it as a sign over his bedroom door! I love that idea!
Details to know: The puzzle can accommodate up to 9 letters and, because this is a personalized item, it may take a few weeks to receive in the mail.
Today I need a... 