All American Cheeseburger Casserole

Let's put it out there straight away folks, this recipe was my husband's brainchild.  It "came to him in a dream".  Who am I to argue with the subconscious mind?  I just thought it sounded good, and when we hammered out the deets, well, this is what we got.  It really is delicious but there are a few things you should know about this little beauty.

This is done in about 30-40 minutes.  Easy, peasy, nice and cheesy!  You can use whatever kind of cheese you like, I used American cheese.  This is basically one big cheeseburger with only a top bun, and everyone can dress it up how they like it.  Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and maybe even...wait for it....waaaaiiit for it...........BACON?  This is sure to please everyone and the burger has great favor.  So thanks to my husband, you are going to enjoy this as much as we did!!  There are a couple of steps, nothing major, just steps that need to be taken for maximum, yumminess!

First mix up your sauce:
1/2 cup (heaping) of ketchup
2 T. mustard

Mix to combine and set aside.

Now for the rest of the recipe you will need:
2 lbs. VERY lean ground beef.  (if you don't have it on hand and use a fattier ground beef I got yer' back no worries)
1 T Worcestershire
1 tsp.. salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
6 slices of cheese (your choice) I used American
1 tube of pizza dough (Pillsbury for me)
1 egg (for egg wash)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl add in ground beef, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder and mix until combined.  I use my hands, I even washed them first.  Then place in the bottom of  a 9x9 or 7x10 (or something like that) and smoosh.  Yes, I said smoosh.  Smoosh it the left, smooth it to the right, smoosh it evenly.  (Note: If you like a thinner burger use a bit bigger of a pan, but my directions are for this size, so your on your own if you do!) 

Bake for 20 minutes and remove from the oven.  This is the point where, if you used ground beef with a higher fat content, take the flaming hot casserole dish to the sink and tip out the fat into the sink.  Sounds so gross, but just do it, trust me, it will be better in the end!  If you in fact used very lean ground beef, there should be no worries.  Now take your sauce and cover the top. 
It isn't uncommon for the meat to pull away a bit if there is a lot of fat in it, from the sides.  No problem.  Now, cover the top with your cheese, on top of the sauce. 

Now, roll out your pizza dough to fit the size of your casserole dish and place it on top.  As you can tell, no need for meticulous neatness, unless you suffer OCD and then just let it rip.  Perfect it until it can no longer be made any more perfect in your world.  I. Am. OCD.  But wasn't so much on this one!  I think the meds are working! (you think I am joking?) HA!  Anyway..........

Whisk an egg up and add a splash of water, brush the top and throw this puppy back in the oven for about 15-18 more minutes.  Make sure that crust isn't gooey in the middle and is golden brown deliciousness all over!  Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting.

Make sure to have a bounty of sides to add to your piece of "cheeseburger"!!!  It was a hit at my house and I hope it is at yours as well!!

ENJOY!

Monster Hand Garlic Bread Sticks

I just giggle when I look at my monsters beautiful hand.  I mean, a hand I can eat?  A hand that holds a bowl of marinara?  What is not to love about it?!  Maybe his hand isn't gorgeous, but he is a monster, his hand is supposed to scary and crusty!  (and garlicky, and dippy)

You all know I love Halloween.  I have been making every single thing I come up with in my mind.  I haven't gone balls, oh wait, that isn't an appropriate expression is it?  I have gone full steam ahead and some of my creations turned out rather, odd.  Like this first version of this recipe.....

 

Go ahead, you can laugh, I sure am!  This was rather, interesting to say the least.  This hand tasted amazing however and I will make Mr. Six Fingers again sometime, hopefully he has done something about his edema by then!

 

Halloween, to me, is a time to just have fun, be gross, eat food made into weird stuff and scare the crap out of anyone you know, who doesn't have a heart condition.  We love dressing up and having fun, plain and simple.

 

This is easy and would be a fun addition to any party table, or dinner table, the kids will love ripping his fingers off and dipping them in "blood"!!

 

You will need:

Pizza Crust (you can buy it, or make it.  The size doesn't matter it will just affect how large your end result it

Marinara Sauce

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp salt

2 tsp garlic powder

olive oil

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 small oven safe bowl

 

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray.  Manipulate your dough into the shape of an arm and hand.  Remember he is a monster, his imperfections make him good and creepy!  Now under the hand, carefully place the bowl, like this......

 

 

Now, drizzle with olive oil, and use a pastry brush to evenly coat the hand and arm.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  You will just need to keep an eye on it because it depends on the thickness of your monsters hand!

 

When it is perfectly browned and done, remove from the oven and let cool COMPLETELY.  Do NOT remove the bowl until it is completely cooled.  Now, turn your oven to broil. 

 

When it is cooled, carefully flip the hand over, remove the bowl and wash it well.  Drizzle this side of the monsters hand/arm LIGHTLY with olive oil (this will be the original bottom side), combine Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt and sprinkle all over.  Lastly, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese and place into the oven for 2 minutes (approx.) just until the top is golden brown. 

 

Place the bowl back in his hand, (it should fit perfectly!) and fill with marinara and enjoy!  I sliced it into bread sticks like this....

 

 

Each of the fingers can be another one, etc.

 

Enjoy this fun and delicious Halloween or anytime treat!!

 

Your "don't get to handsy" Chefwannabe

 

Homemade Pizza - Chicken Alfredo Pizza Rustica

Hello my friends!!!  Summer is in full swing!  Your kids have probably been out of school a month or so.  Are you ready for school to start back up yet? Mwaaahahaha........

I LOVE cleaning out the fridge and seeing what I can make with leftovers.  I made baked chicken a few nights ago and I had some chicken leftover.  I had picked up some mushrooms at the store for my husband since he loves them.  I figured I would work them into something.  By the way, isn't it gratifying to be able to use 3 or 4 things up on a dish?  Am I the only one that feels like I am the queen of the universe when I do that? 

As we were sitting eating the chicken for dinner, he announced, "OMG, can you make me a chicken Alfredo pizza with mushrooms"?  Well of course I can darling, anything for you!!!!  Uh-huh.  

So I gathered my pizza dough making ingredients.  I have, in my opinion and a few other readers opinions, the best pizza dough recipe going.  The dough is so gorgeous you are going to want to use it for a pillow!  This pizza I call "Rustica" because it is so rustic.  Irregular shaped, ingredients of leftovers, yet hearty, heart warming eating!  Here is my recipe for Pizza Dough.  My dough makes 2 regular size pizza's, but I used the whole ball for a very large pizza!

Remember mine were leftovers so I will list what you will need:
1 large or 2 small cooked chicken breasts  (season them up any way you choose!) cut into small pieces, no shreds for this one guys!
2 cups fresh mushrooms sauteed in 1 tbsp butter and set aside
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp dried Italian Seasoning

For the sauce:
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
3 cups milk
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare your crust and spread it in any old shape on a cookie sheet, pizza stone or pizza peel.  
Preheat oven to 450 degrees

To prepare your sauce, melt butter into a saucepan.  Add flour and using a whisk mix while letting the flour cook 1 minute.  Add milk while whisking, make sure it is ALMOST at a bubble so it will begin to thicken.  Don't stop whisking!  Add in parm cheese and turn it down to a simmer, let simmer 3-5 minutes until very thick.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Let cook just for a couple of minutes.

Pizza assembly....spread sauce over pizza crust, add mushrooms and cut up chicken all over the top of the pizza.  Sprinkle on Italian seasoning, and cheeses.   Bake at 450 for 20-30 minutes.  It all depends on how thick you left your crust and how you like your pizza done! 

You will come out with a gorgeously browned rustic looking pizza for your eating pleasure!  My husband highly suggests you try this one! 

PS.  I just had a thought, someone should try this on the grill.  Seriously!  If you do let me know!

Your "now adding P.S's to posts it seems" chefwannabe

Chris

Breakfast (Pizza) For Dinner

Do you like breakfast for dinner?  I am learning people either love it or hate it.  My family LOVES it!  We are always up for a good breakfast for dinner but I wanted to change things up a bit.  

 

This was so easy and as you know (if you read my blogs and fb page) I am on a quest to USE UP what is in the cupboards and freezer!  The amount of food we accumulate is ridiculous! I refuse to throw things out, so this is what I came up with.  Where I used shoestring french fries you could use any sort of hashbrowns as well, just make sure they are thawed out!  (And eggs are on sale for .79 a dozen this week!)  

 

First thing is to make the crust.  My recipe for pizza crust is amazing, I promise.  The dough will be so light and fluffy you will want to use it for a pillow!  Click this link and scroll down to the recipe, Pizza Crust Recipe.  Next, fry up your bacon, I used a skillet because I made a terribly fattening, and unhealthy choice to use bacon grease to make my bechamel.  *plugs ears*.  You will find my bechamel recipe in the event you actually need one in my Croque Madam/Monsieur blog.  You will use the bacon grease in place of the butter.  Or clean your pan and start fresh with butter.  Make sure your bacon is nice and crispy, drain it on a paper towel and crumble.  Set aside for later use.  

 

Here is what you will need:

Pizza Crust

2 cups THAWED hashbrowns or french fries you have chopped into smaller pieces

1 lb deli shaved/thin sliced ham

5 strips of bacon fried and crumbled

5 eggs beaten with 1/4 cup milk/cream/half and half (add salt and pepper and hot sauce to taste if you like)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

prepared bechamel sauce

Green onions for the top (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Using a large cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray, stretch and pull your dough so that it goes up the sides of the cookie sheet a little bit.  

Pour your bechamel on top of the crust and spread evenly.  You may have a bit extra, depending on your taste or how big your pizza is.  Mine made a LARGE cookie sheet size.  

Add ham, bacon, potatoes, and half of your cheese.  Pour over your egg mixture.  Pour it as evenly as possible.  I started with 3 eggs and had to add more, 5 seemed perfect for my size pizza.  Top with the rest of your cheese like this...

Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Make sure to let cool 5 minutes before cutting.  This crust is fairly thick.  I would normally get 2 large size pizza's from this crust because I like a thin crust.  I wanted it to be thicker to be more like bread than pizza dough.  It is delicious and it will feed a crowd for sure!!  My husband even got a piece for breakfast this morning in a baggie with a love note on it.  Come on you know I am the perfect wife......pffttt.  HAHA   Oh did I mention he is so NOT used to breakfast he forgot to take it!!

 

So here is your final product...........does yours look like this?  You can add more meat, take away meat, whatever you want just like any other pizza.  This is what we like, you add or subtract what you like or don't like for your family!!  I topped mine with green onions after baking as well!

GOOD MORNING!!! Err....Good EVENING!

Your "to old to be this mixed up"Chefwannabe

Chris

A pizza for you and a pizza for me.

"When the moon hits your eye like
 a big pizza pie - that's amore"
 

My love for pizza has only developed as I got to be an adult. We did not have pizza often at home, even with my half Italian father, we just didn't.  It was expensive to buy for a family of 12, and though we occasionally had the frozen variety, fresh pizza wasn't the norm in our house.  Pasta yes, pizza not so much.   I attribute my childhood deprivation  to my adulthood addiction to pizza.  I love all pizza, pizza is much like diamonds, even small/bad diamonds are still diamonds!  While I lived in Jersey I learned about "real" pizza, not pizza with ground beef on it. I know, know...judge not, but really?  And tomato pies, my dad used to talk about ALL the time.  So whether your a deep dish, thin crust, thick crust, or crispy crust, pizza eater, its ALL pizza!  Can't we just get along?!?!? (Thin crispy crust for me please)  If you choose to buy pizza dough, please buy it from your favorite pizzeria or bakery.  I guarantee they will sell you some!  Don't use that crummy roll out stuff.  Actually, if you use the crummy roll out stuff, I wont ever know, but you will cave, eventually it will happen and you will admit that you went terribly wrong.  Let's get this show started with the most important part first, the recipe!  

Easy Pizza Dough

3 cups of All Purpose Flour (may need a squee bit more)

2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Sugar

1 tbsp. dry Italian seasoning

drizzle of olive oil

1 1/4 cups of Warm Water

1 packet  of Yeast

 

First things first.  Preheat your oven to 475.  Now, add the yeast to your warm water and set it aside until it becomes foamy on top.

 

In the bowl of your stand mixer, using the dough hook attachment, mix together the flour, salt, sugar Italian seasoning and olive oil. Take the yeast and water mixture and add it to the flour mixture. If you don't have a standing mixer, stretch those fingers baby..gonna be some tired hands!

 

Mix until thoroughly  combined. Reduce speed to low, mix for 5 minutes.  The dough should be pulling away from the bowl and be one smooth mass. 

 

Divide the dough in two pieces and roll into a ball. Place each ball of dough into oiled bowls, brush the tops of the dough with a little oil to stop them from drying out. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place the dough into a nice, cozy, warm place.

 

If you know the proper technique you may press and stretch your dough, if you are a regular person, you can roll it out!  

 

I don't have huge pizza pans, so if I want a huge pizza, I use a huge cookie sheet, UPSIDE DOWN.  I put it in the oven while I am making the pizza so it gets really hot and makes a really crispy crust.   When my son was little, everyone creating their own pizza was a hit.  Keep it in mind for kids parties or sleepovers!  As a side note, Margherita pizza is my favorite.  Here is a picture of one my husband and I made along with our own homemade fresh mozzarella cheese!   Anyway, bake for 15-20 minutes!

Let me know what creative toppings you come up with, or what other things you find to make out of pizza dough!  Now go forth my friends.....MAKE PIZZA!

Your pizza pie lovin', pass the red pepper please, chefwannabe,

Chris

Adapted from: Laura In The Kitchen