Three Cheese Pizza with Tomatoes and Basil

      ...That smell of melted cheese with juicy red tomatoes sinking in to the crispy crust topped with fresh basil from the garden...

Who doesn't feel extra cool when they make their own pizza dough?  I know I do!  This pizza becomes extra elegant when made on the grill.  The different cheeses gives an abundance amount of flavor-chewy mozzarella, flavorful parmigiano, and creamy feta.  Tomatoes and Basil give it a refreshing splash! 

Let's Get started!

 

Pizza Dough:

Ingredients 

3 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons of Salt

1 teaspoon of Sugar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 1/3 Warm water, 110 degrees

1 envelope of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

Instructions

1. Add the yeast to warm water and set aside for 3 mintues.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with dough attachment (If you don't have one that's okay!  I've done it by mixing it really well with my hands.)

3. Mix everything till well combined.  If mixing with hands gently knead a bit

4. Oil two bowls and set aside.  Dive dough in half and roll into a ball.  Place each ball of dough in oiled bowl, seam side down.  Brush tops of dough with olive oil.  Cover with plastic and set in a warm place.  I put mine in my non-heated oven.  

5. Let rise for two hours. 

6. After two hours take dough out and punch and put to use!

For the Pizza....

Ingredients 

Pizza dough- Recipe shown above

3 cups of Mozzarella

1/4 cup of parmesan 

1/8 cup of Feta

1 jar of pizza sauce-Hopefully coming up with my own recipe soon!

2 medium tomatoes

1/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes 

1/2 cup of basil- 6-8 large leafs

2 garlic cloves, minced

Cornmeal (optional)

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 400°

2. Roll out pizza dough into one big circle or two small circles.  For thin pizza: 1/2 inch.  Thick pizza: 1-1 1/2 inch.

3. Sprinkle corn meal on baking sheet and place pizza crust on sheet.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes- Keep oven on when done baking crust.

5. Pour pizza sauce over crust

6..Add the three cheeses.

 7. Add tomatoes, basil, and garlic over top.

8. Bake for 7-10 minutes, Or until crust is a bit browned

9. Cut into slices and serve!

Add whatever toppings you like to my pizza dough!  Serve with Starbucks Black Tea Lemonade and my Grandma's famous raspberry pudding!

I hope your day is just peachy!

Love,

 ~Jade Day~

Don't forget to pin this recipe!

Grandma's Famous Vanilla Pudding With Raspberries

To say this is my Dad's favorite dessert-is defiantly an understatement. 

I made this dessert for Father's day, and made about six cups of it...Dad ate FOUR out of the six cups of pudding.  So trust me, it's wonderful.  By adding the raspberries when the pudding is still a bit warm gives the pudding a vibrant swirl color to it! 

~Famous Vanilla Pudding~

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks, 72 g
2 TB unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

In a medium sauce pan (non-stick recommended), combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

Add milk slowly until cornstarch is dissolves completely.

Whisk in egg yokes.

Place saucepan over Medium Heat and whisk constantly.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and let pudding cook for one minute.

 (Continue whisking, mixture should start to thicken)

Turn heat off and add butter and vanilla.

If adding raspberries, add now. 

I highly recommend adding the raspberries or any kind of fruit you like!

With Love,

Jade Day

~

The Healthiest-Easiest-Fastest-Yummiest- 2 Ingredient Cookies EVER!

I wasn't kidding when I came up with that title.  These cookies are the Healthiest-Easiest-Fastest-Yummiest (Not to mention pretty cheap, gluten-free, and vegan!) Cookies Ever!

So I'm kind of on this whole healthy-need to get in fit kind of kick right now.

I've started to Run.... Jog-ish-walk-ish.  

It's official I hate running. 

But what I DO like, it's picking out work out clothes and making yummy yet healthy food.

And that's why we've gathered here today - to introduce to you my ahh-mazing cookies!

2 Ingredient Cookies 

1 banana 

1 cup of oatmeal 

Raisins (optional) 

Peel banana and mush in a bowl with your hands, this parts messy and gooey but so fun! 

And oat meal and mix thoroughly with your hands. 

If adding raisins, add now. 

Line baking sheet with parchment paper or greased baking sheet.  Roll cookies into 1 in balls then press flat.  As shown in picture below. 

Bake at 350° degrees for 15-18 minutes. 

And you're done!  Eat away!  

Chef Tips:
Substitute raisins for: Dried Cranberries, Coconut, chocolate etc.... 

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest for other great recipes and ideas!  Pin this recipe below!
Lot's of Love!
~Jade Day~

Hot Chocolate | With a Little Flare

What a lovely Winter we are having this Spring...

So even though it's OFFICIALLY Spring... it feels like Winter!  Maybe even colder then winter, at least down here in Florida it feels like it!

And what does one have when they dislike coffee and don't really feel like having tea but would greatly appreciate a hot substance of some sort?

Hot Chocolate!

Hot Chocolate

With a little Jade Flare to it 

8 teaspoons of Corn Starch

 1/2 cup of Cocoa Powder

3/4 cup of Sugar

1/2 cup of Water

4 cups of Milk

1/4 cup of Chocolate chips

Dash of Cinnamon

Bit of Salt

Pinch of Red Pepper

Mix Corn starch, Cocoa Powder and Sugar in Small pot.

Add water and whisk

Add milk to chocolate mixture.

Add chocolate chips until melted.

Add the dashes of Cinnamon, Salt and Red Pepper.
(Trust me, the cinnamon and red pepper add the perfect warmness!)

Whisk until desired thickness, but don't stir for to long!  It'll start thickening into pudding, I would know from experience....

Doesn't it look yummy?  And don't you love my little violin cup my Grandma got me?  


With Lots of Love,
Jade Day 

DIY: Glitter Jar & Modge Podge

What girl doesn't like glitter?  It's shinny and comes in all sorts of colors and makes me ooohh 'n ahh every time I see something with shinny glitter.  But who.... would have thought I could make my own little glitter jar?

You need Three Things:

1. Mason Jar (any size)

2. Glitter (Color of your choice)

3. Modge Podge (Recipe Below)

• Coat the Jar with Modge Podge 
• Coat with Glitter
• Spray with Sealer or Modge podge
• Done! 

I was searching around for Modge Podge and when I found it, I was greatly surprised by how expensive it was.  But, I wouldn't leave you guys hanging like that....

DIY: Modge Podge

Equal part white craft glue and water!

Now, you're done!

Lots of Love,

Jade

Homemade Nutella (Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread)

Hello Blogging buddies!

Life's been busy and chaotic lately but I've still made time to do my projects and make yummy recipes!  And boy do I have a great one for you all today.

This homemade Nutella is one of things I'm sure they eat in heaven.  Almost positive.  It's that good.  The best est-most greatest-loveliest part of it all is that... (Drum roll please) It's only 5 ingredients!

I've searched and searched for a good Nutella recipe for awhile.  I thought I was stuck because a majority of the recipes called for hazelnut oil.  No big deal right?  Wrong.  Finding hazelnut oil was the first problem, then by the time I found it, I didn't like the price.  I gave up for awhile.

After relaxing one day I decided I wanted to watch my Favorite chef, Giada De Laurentiis!  And Guess what?  Guess....  She was making chocolate hazelnut spread!  At first I wasn't to excited expecting her to use hazelnut spread like everyone one else but when she read off her ingredients I was so happy and decided then and there I was making Nutella as soon as possible.

And so we begin....

First toast your hazelnuts in the oven for about 15 minutes or until they've browned a bit.  This will make your house smell really good.  Now would be a good time to start melting the chocolate.

Now, I know it's hard, but there really isn't a lot of chocolate in this recipe (I know right?) so, I beg you, don't eat it all while it's melting.  Just save some on the side for you to enjoy.  That's what I do at least. 

Once the hazelnuts are done and browned.  I take a towel and vigorously rub them.  There will be some little pieces of skin but over all the skin comes off pretty easy. 

Your chocolate and hazelnuts should be at room temperature.  Take your nuts and pour them in the food processor.  Watch as they turn into a fine almost rough powered like substance. 

    

This is the yummy part.  Time to add the sweetened condensed milk, honey, salt, and melted chocolate.  I had some left over milk sticking to the can, which was perfectly fine with me.... so I ate it, ya know... because I hadn't eaten in like 7 minutes... I was hungry okay?  

Now... mix it up! Watch as the magical ingredients turn into a heavenly spread.

Finally, sit down with some fruit or crackers or both!  

Homemade Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)

• 1/2 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
• 3/4 cup of toasted, skinned hazelnuts (4 ounces)
• 2/3 cup of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

1. Preheat oven to 350ºf
2. Toaste Hazelnuts for 15-18 minutes, until light toasted.
3. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl and simmer over water, barley touching the bowl.  Cool.
4. Grind nuts in food processor until pasty (The nut mix will stick to the side of the bowl)
5. Add condensed milk, honey, and salt. 
6. Scrap down sides, add chocolate and mix throughly. 
7. Store in an air tight jar.
8. Enjoy!

Chef notes:

Add espresso for an extra kick!

Serve with fruit.

Serve with warm pancakes.

~Love Jade~

Beef Stew

Thank you Pioneer woman for having a wonderful Beef stew recipe. 

Bitting into juicy beef and savoring the flavorful potatoes.  Having that tender carrot melt unto your tongue while smelling all the aromas of the spices.  That was my first reaction when bitting into my homemade pioneer woman's beef stew. 

Beef Stew:

3 tablespoons of Olive oil

1 tablespoon of Butter

2 pounds beef stew meat

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bottle of can of beer (12 oz)

4 cups of beef broth

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon of paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of salt

pepper

4 potatoes, quarter

3 carrots, unpeeled, sliced

2 tablespoons of flour

Heat olive oil & butter.  Throw in meat and quickly cook for about 5 minutes or browned. 

Remove meat unto clean plate.

Add onions into pot and cook until soft. (3 min.)

Add garlic until browned (1 min)

Pour in beer

Add beef broth

Worcestershire sauce

tomato paste

paprika 

Sugar, salt, & pepper

Finally, add met back into pot and simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours.  If liquid level starts getting low add 1-2 cups of hot water at a time.  Add potatoes and carrots and simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender.  To thicken, remove 1 cup of cooking liquid and mix with flours and add to pot.  Simmer for 10 more minutes.  Serve and enjoy! 

Photo creds to the Pioneer woman because I didn't get pictures
 of the finished product!  It was eaten before  I got home! 

~Love Jade~

Starbucks Black Tea Lemonade

So everyone, I was just checking up on one of my favorite blogs the other day and read about this amazing 'Starbucks Black Tea lemonade".  After drooling over the pictures and reading her obsession over this drink I just couldn't handle not experimenting myself! 

Starbucks Black Tea Lemonade

2 Family size or 3 regular bags of black Tea
1/2 cup of sugar
12 oz. Of frozen Lemonade Or 1 scoop of powdered lemonade (I happen to like the powdered lemonade better) 

Boil 5 cups Of water

Remove From Heat, Add sugar

Step tea bags in water for 2-3 minutes

Pour Frozen Lemonade Or powdered lemonade in tea. 

Add 5 cups of cold water

Combine and chill in fridge

~Love Jade~

Quick Meringue

So.... nothing really exciting has happened to me lately. 

And because of that I don't really have anything to write about.

Instead I've been staying home doing a lot of cooking.  

I'll get around to writing soon.  Sorta in a writers block situation right now... 

It gently lands on your tongue.  As quickly as it starts it disintegrates.  That's the feeling you get when you eat meringues.  Light almost candy like kisses of sugar. 

Quick Meringues

• 2/3 cup of Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar 
• 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 egg whites

Pre-heat oven 250º

Beat the eggs whites, cream of tartar, and Vanilla until egg whites are foamy 

Slowly add in Sugar, Beat until soft Peaks

Don't you like my Piggy Spatula?  So cute! Ok... Moving on, 

Next, spoon heaping spoon fulls of Meringue mixture unto lined or greased baking sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes or until sides are just browned.  Be careful though, they burn easily.

Let cool.  Don't pick them up and transfer them right away, they'll just break.  Let them cool completely. 

Enjoy!

Tip: Add Espresso for an extra kick
Tip: Coat in chocolate
Tip: Add any extract you'd like! 

~Love Jade~

Spinach Chips

Basically the same concept as my Brussel Sprout Chips.  Just with Spinach Instead! 

You might remember a couple posts back I posted about Brussel Sprout chips?  Well, this is basically the same concept and recipe but instead I've used Spinach! 

If you like to get more greens in your diet this is perfect.  

Plus, if you like that extra crunch you'd like the spinach chips better.

Don't forget to look through my other recipes!

Spinach Chips

• 1 bag Spinach / 6 oz.
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Garlic/rosemary (optional)

1. Preheat oven 250º.  
2. Wash and dry spinach
3. Toss spinach with oil
4. Add salt
5. Add extra seasonings (optional)
6. Spread evenly unto baking sheet
7. Bake 20-15, until Crunchy 

It's gonna look like a lot of spinach and you may want to use to baking sheets.  But trust me!  The spinach shrinks down and gets really small

You can hear the crunch!

~Love Jade~