Pesto Pita Pizza

Alliteration aside this is a fantastic and pretty healthy meal that can be whipped up in minutes and devoured even quicker. I start with a pita dough from one of my earlier posts then cover it with a fresh pesto that is made as follows:

2 cups fresh basil
2 tablespoons or so roasted almonds (pine nuts work)
A few parsley sprigs
2 cloves of garlic
Olive oil
1 1/2 cups of Parmesan Cheese
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

Using a food processor mince the almonds and the garlic. Add the basil and parsley and chop to a fine texture. Slowly add olive oil until a good consistency is reached. Add the Parmesan and chop, season to taste with salt and pepper.

Once the pesto was done I spread it on uncooked pita and covered it with Feta crumbles, followed by baby bella mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled eggplant (my sister said I had to use eggplant somehow, she's kinda like the chairman on Iron Chef, my favorite show) and grilled chicken. The grilled chicken and eggplant were seasoned with Greek Seasoning and a little olive oil before grilling.

This was all baked at 425 for about 20 minutes, or until the dough is cooked, it really is quite delicious.

Eggplant Eggsmant pictures

Eggplant Eggsmant

So I spent the last week at my father's house, and he fully indoctrinated me on "heart healthy" foods. I must say that I was impressed and upon returning to the land of Texas, which is currently scorching (a nice 101) today, I set about making some heart healthy meals. As you can quickly see most of the meals I have made have no real significant health benefits so I'll try this out and see what happens. As we know Omega-3 fatty acids are good for our hearts, so we take fish oil and Altoids to get rid of the smell, so some fish needed to be included, I chose salmon because of the popularity and high omega-3's. Vegetables are also very important in creating a healthy meal, in this case I used Eggplant which is high in fiber, and a very nutrient dense food, and surprisingly tasty although not always beautiful. The final major ingredient is Bleu Cheese, vitamin K2 has been found in aged cheeses, and there is evidence that it helps to take the calcium from arterial plaque and redeposit it in bones, thus helping with heart disease and osteoporosis both. So enough said here is the recipe.

1 Eggplant (known as Aubergine in the Mediterranean.)
1 8oz Salmon pouch (found by tuna fish) you can also use fresh salmon filets, and it will most likely have a better flavor.
Bleu Cheese
Cavender's Greek Seasoning
Kosher Salt
Garlic
Ground Black Pepper
Olive Oil

Cut the eggplant in half, coat the cut surface with olive oil and roast in a 475 oven until the eggplant softens (using a grill will provide a nice smokey flavor). Scoop out the eggplant so that you are left with two hollow sides. Mix the salmon the scoopings and some seasonings, then restuff the eggplant. Top with bleu cheese and roast until the cheese melts. Enjoy.

sides and a cake from Beth

Faux Italian creme cake

• 4 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter
• 1 1/3 c. coconut flakes
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 1/3 c. H20
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 vanilla cake mix
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding

mix all ingredients.  cook 350.  for 24-30 minutes for 2-9 inch rounds.  decorate

Another pig recipe

Pictures of the chili making

Steak and Black Bean Chili (or something like it)

So if you have read any of the comments on the other posts you've read a request for a black bean and steak chili, so I took a little time to come up with a recipe for it. Chili, as most know is Spanish (really Mexican) for a pepper. So to make a good chili you need some spice, unless you can't handle it. So Stacy this recipe is for you. Sorry there are no pictures yet my photographer (sister) was not able to be there when I made this so I'll have to do it at her house later this month. Hopefully ya'll love this quick easy and tasty chili.

Ingredients

1 1lb lean steak (cut in cubes) I didn't specify what kind of steak because of availability, I used what is called a Flat Iron ~($5.99/lb) steak, can be bought at Kroger, Smith's, or Food Lion in the east. If that is not available look for Top Blade steaks (same muscle just cut different) make sure you remove the connective tissue in the center of the Top Blade. If none of this is available use a sirloin steak cut, there are many available. Don't use a New York Strip or Ribeye, just too valuable for this.

1 small sweet onion

1 can sundried (look for them in the Italian aisle)

1/4 cup good salsa (Not Pace, or Tostitos. I use habenero salsa but use to your tolerance.)

Small spoon of Garlic

2 cans Black Beans

salt

pepper

cayenne pepper

chili powder

olive oil

Sour Cream

Cheese

Avocado

So take the onion chop it inot small pieces sautee it in olive oil until mostly caramelized, add garlic, cayenne pepper, and chili powder (Not too much). Coat meat with pepper and a little salt, then add your cubed meat, and brown. Next add tomatoes, salsa. Let cook for a few minute and add black beans, allow about 10 minutes simmering time then serve. I serve it with a dollop of Daisy (some sour-cream), cheese, and cubed avocado.