Crusty Joes

The kids & I made bread sticks this morning & ended up with some extra dough. (Sigh...if only it was the $ kind...) I thought I'd use the extra for pizza crust & then remembered that I didn't have a pizza pan or another big baking sheet (or mozzarella, for that matter). So, I came up with this idea: Crusty Joes.

Sloppy joes in a deep pizza crust. I love the sweetness of the beef combined with the sharpness of the cheddar and yeasty-ness of the dough. Mmmm...

Ingredients:

1 batch bread/pizza dough (I suppose you could use the canned kind)

1 1/2 to 2 lbs ground beef

1 onion, finely chopped

3 Tbs white vinegar

3 Tbs brown sugar

1 1/2 cups ketchup

dash salt & pepper

1 1/2 cups cheddar (sharp is best!)

Squish your crust onto the bottom and up the sides (as much as possible) of a lightly greased 9 x 13" pan. Prick the bottom of it here and there with a fork so it doesn't bubble up. Bake it at 350F until lightly golden.

Brown the beef & onions in a pan. Drain the grease & stir in the remaining ingredients (except cheese). Top with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350F for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Serves 8.

Fish Chowder

This is a creamy, comforting & fairly easy to make soup. Paired with some homemade bread, it makes the perfect meal for a cool autumn day.

Ingredients:

2 tbs butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, minced

1 clove garlic, minced or crushed

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups cubed potatoes

1 lb fish, cubed (I used cod filets)

1/2 tsp old bay

salt & pepper, to taste

1 16oz bottle clam juice

1/2 cup flour

3 cups milk

1 cup cream

Sautee the onion, celery and garlic in the butter. Add chicken broth & potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fish & and old bay & simmer another 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the clam juice & flour. Slowly stir into the simmering chowder, until thickened. Stir in milk & cream & reheat. Add salt & pepper to taste. Makes 8 good-sized servings.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

In searching for a recipe for pancakes that I could make the night before, I found a version of this one that halfway fit the bill.

These pancakes were delicious & had a great texture. The oatmeal made them more nutritious & filling as well. I will definitely be using this recipe again.

Ingredients:

2 cups oats

2 cups buttermilk (I substituted 2 cups milk with a Tbs lemon juice)

1/2 cup flour

3 Tbs sugar or honey

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/4 cup butter, melted

Combine oats & buttermilk. Refrigerate overnight. Combine the next 5 ingredients. (You can do this at night to save time in the morning.)

Mix all ingredients together in the morning and fry on a hot, lightly greased griddle.

One batch makes enough for 6 young-ish children. Their mama prefers coffee for breakfast.