Bacon Cheese Burger Pizza

This is a great way to have the best of both worlds.

1 1/2 cups all  purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat bran
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons very warm water

1 pound ground turkey
12 slices of turkey bacon
1/2 onion diced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar

4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 1/2- 3 cups shredded cheddar jack
salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard or to taste

In your stand mixer with the hook attachment add all of the dry ingredients minus the yeast and sugar. in a small bowl combine the yeast, sugar and two tablespoons water. Set this aside for about five minutes to bloom. Once it gets foamy on top and starts to expand add this to the dry ingredients and mix on low, slowly adding in the rest of the water until the dough forms a ball. This should not be too sticky. let this run on low for 10 minutes. Cover with a clean towel and let rest in a warm, draft free place for at least 30 minutes. While the dough is rising place the turkey bacon on a cooling rack over a baking sheet and place in a 400 degree over. Place the ground turkey in a large heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat. Let this meat brown through then set aside. Once the dough has doubled in size punch it down then roll it out to about 1/4 inch think. Sprinkle your baking sheet with corn meal then lay your dough on the sheet. Place the dough in the oven with the bacon for a few minutes until it just starts to turn a very light brown. remove this from the oven and let cool for a minute. In a medium sauce pot over medium heat melt the butter then sprinkle in the flour. Whisk to combine then let bubble for one minute. Whisk in the milk and let this come to a bubble stirring often as not to burn. Let this bubble until thickens then remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Spread the cheese sauce over the crust then layer on the ground turkey. Remove the bacon from the over and give it a rough chop. Sprinkle on the bacon, onions and cheese. place this back in the 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com

 

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Casseole

This is a delicious way to satisfy your hot wing craving without the deep fryer! 

6 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size cubes

1 packet of ranch dressing seasoning 

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1 1/2 cups brown rice

1 bullion cube 

4 cups water 

1 onion minced

1 green bell pepper minced 

1/2 red bell minced 

1/2 orange bell pepper minced 

2 stalks celery sliced thin

1 package power greens (baby spinach will work fine) 

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoon flour

2 cups milk 

3/4 cup ranch dressing 

1/2 cup wing sauce (I used Frank's) 

2-3 tablespoons canola oil 

1 cup shredded cheddar jack

7 oz blue cheese crumbles (optional) 

Place the chicken pieces In a large bowl and coat with the ranch powder and the cayenne pepper. Place a large heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat and add half of the oil. Brown the chicken, remove from pan and set aside. Add the rest of the oil and the vegetables to the pan. Cook until tender then add the butter and sprinkle on the flour let this bubble for one minute. Slowly stir in the milk and let it come to a bubble. Stir in the ranch and wing sauce. Let this bubble until it starts to thicken then stir in the chicken and rice. Pour this into a deep, 4 quart casserole dish and top with the cheese. Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. 

Chicken Curry Meatloaf

A fun delicious way to use up those chicken breasts in you freezer! 

2 carrots grated 

1/2 green bell pepper minced

1 onion minced

3 cloves galic minced

3 chicken breasts cubed 

1/2 cup old fashioned oats 

1 beaten egg

1/4 sour cream 

2 teaspoons curry powder

Salt and pepper to taste

In your food processor pulse the cubed chicken along with 2-3 tablespoons crushed ice(this will keep the chicken from sticking to the blade) until ground completely. In a large mixing bowl combine the ground chicken and all of the other ingredients. Place in a loaf pan and bake at 400 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Serve with your favorite side dish. We had left over Mac and Cheese! For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com

Tuna lintel casserole

This is a new look at an old family favorite. 

1 medium onion chopped 

1 yellow bell pepper minced

1 cup white mushrooms sliced thin

1 cup baby spinach chopped

2 cloves garlic minced 

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon caper berries minces 

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups lintels 

1 1/2 cups beef stock

2 tablespoons woestershire sauce 

1 cup half and half or milk 

2 cans tuna drained 

1 bag frozen peas

Salt and pepper to taste 

In a large heavy bottom skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add the onions, peppers and mushrooms. Let this cook for 5 minutes then add the garlic, spinach and caper berries. Let this cook for another 5 minutes then sprinkle in the flour, salt and pepper and lintels. Add the woestershire sauce, beef stock and milks stir to combine well. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in the tuna and mix well to combine. Pour into a greased casserole dish and top with shredded cheese and and bread crumbs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and the lintels are cooked through. For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com 

Calzones

A calzone is like an inside out pizza with no sauce. This is a fun way to incorporate whole grains and vegetables into the diet for the whole family.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1/4 wheat bran
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon dried yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
other dried herbs or spices to taste
very warm water
olive oil to coat.

1/2 yellow onion minces
1/2 green bell pepper mined
6 white mushrooms sliced thin
1 cup baby spinach leaves roughly chopped
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 bag fully cooked turkey sausage crumbles

1 package turkey peperoni
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1 cup Monterey jack cheese

1 beaten egg
pastry brush

Your favorite pizza sauce served hot for dipping

In a small bowl combine the sugar, yeast and a little bit of warm water and let bloom for 5 minutes or until it starts to foam. While the yeast is blooming combine the rest of the dry ingredients in the bowl of your stand mixer with the hook attachment. Once the yeast is bloomed stir this in and slowly add enough water to form a dough ball (about 3/4 of a cup) let this mix on low for 10 minutes. Coat the dough with olive oil and cover with a clean towel placing in a warm place to rise for at least 30 minutes. (the top of the preheated oven will work fine) While the dough is rising place all of your vegetables in a large heavy bottom skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium high heat. Let this cook for about 10 minutes then add the sausage. Let this cook for another 10 minutes then remove from the heat and set aside. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and lay a cereal bowl on top of the dough upside down and cup around it with your pizza cutter. peel away the remaining dough and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine the 2 cheeses with a fork. Place about a tablespoon of cheese in the middle of the discs of dough, place 5 peperoni in the center on top of the cheese and then a tablespoon of the sausage filling. Fold the discs in half and roll the edges to seal. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and cut a small hole to vent. Place these in a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com