Showing posts with label basil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basil. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Fresh from the Garden Pizza

 Pizza can be layered with fresh garden vegetables from the local Farmers Market or locally grown vegetables found at your grocery store.  I love getting up on Saturday mornings and going to the farmer’s market to shop for fresh vegetables.  My Fresh from the Garden Pizza has a fresh Basil Pesto sauce that lays the foundation for this pizza.  😋



Yield: (1) 10-inch pizza  

(Prep Time for pizza dough and prepping veggies: 25 minutes)  

(Rise Time using Instant Yeast: 10 - 15 minutes)

(Bake Time: 15 - 20 minutes)

Total Time: 60 minutes


Ingredients for Pizza Dough

·        ¾ cups warm water (110 - 120℉)

·        1 Pack of RapidRise Instant Yeast

·        1 teaspoon of sugar

·        2 tablespoons Olive Oil, plus 2 teaspoons for prepping the bowl for the dough to rest

·        2 cups “00” zero Pizza Flour, plus flour for dusting


Directions for Pizza Dough

1.  Add warm water to a liquid measuring cup, then add instant yeast and sugar and mix well.  Let stand unitl cream, about 10 minutes.

2. Combine flour and salt in a stand mixer and mix well.

3.  Add yeast mixture and olive oil and beat until smooth using a dough hook  attachment.           

4. Let dough rest for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl.

5.  After dough has rested, flour working surface and form dough into a ball.

6. Grease bowl with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and place dough in bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for an additional 10 minutes.

7. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and pat the dough to form a 10-inch circle.

8. See pizza toppings for the next steps to complete pizza preparation.


From Garden Pizza Toppings

All vegetables should be sliced equally to ensure even cooking time.

• 3 tablespoons fresh or jarred Basil Pesto

• ¾ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 medium firm tomato sliced about a 1/8 of an inch thin

• 1 small yellow squash sliced about a 1/8 of an inch thin

• 1 small zucchini sliced about a 1/8 of an inch thin

• 1 small/mini eggplant sliced about a 1/8 of inch thin

• 3 mini-sweet bell peppers (1 yellow, 1 red, and 1 orange) sliced

• ½ medium red onion sliced a 1/8 an inch thin

• 3 asparagus stalks sliced in half, then slice on a diagonal

• ½ teaspoon of salt

• ½ teaspoon of coursed black pepper

• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup chopped scallions for garnish

•  ¼ cup of fresh chopped basil and tarragon combined. Hold back some for garnish after the pizza is baked.

 


Directions for preparation of pizza

 

1. Pre-heat oven to 450 ℉

2. Place parchment paper on the pizza pan, lightly dust the pan with semolina flour, and transfer the dough to the pan.

3. Then press the pizza dough out to the edges of the pan to form a 10-inch circle. The dough in the center should be thinner than the edges of the pizza crust.

4. Add the basil pesto in the center of the dough, spread the pesto, and leave the edge of the dough free of pesto.

5. Now add mozzarella cheese freely over the pizza dough, lay a row of sliced tomatoes around the pizza dough, followed by the sliced yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onions, then add asparagus.

6. Season the vegetables with salt & pepper, then Sprinkle parmesan cheese and half the fresh basil/tarragon mixture over pizza.

7. Place pizza in the oven and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes.

8. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle the remaining basil/tarragon,
    and chopped scallions on the pizza. Enjoy!







Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Eating Lean and Clean - Roasted Root Veggies

Roasted Root Veggies served with Zucchini, Garlic Cashew Soup

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

Cooking smart for a healthy heart is what it’s all about. Your family will love this low-fat side dish full of beautiful flavors. If you love my Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes, you will also love this dish. Carrots, Yellow and Red Beets, Sweet Potatoes, and onions roasted together will make your taste buds sing.

Servings: 6 – 8

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 45 minutes @ 425 degrees

Method of cooking: Oven Roasted

Ingredients

  • 2 medium size sweet potatoes
  • 2 medium Yellow Beets
  • 2 medium Beets
  • 4 medium carrots
  • 2 small white onions
  • ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

·         2 tablespoons agave nectar (substitute for agave nectar is “Pure Maple Syrup”)

·         1 tablespoon of fresh squeezed lime juice

·         4 cloves garlic (minced)

·         1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

·         1 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1 teaspoon chili powder

·         1 teaspoon nutmeg

·         ½ teaspoon allspice

·         2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Prep veggies: Peel and clean veggies, then cut them into 1” (inch) chunks. All veggies should be cut the same size for cooking.

Combine olive oil, agave nectar, lime juice, garlic, fresh ginger, and spices in a large bowl. Add the vegetable medley, toss, and coat well.

Place seasoned veggies on a baking pan and spread them into a single layer to roast evenly.  

Roast the veggies in the oven, occasionally stirring, for about 40 - 45 minutes or until golden brown, tender, and caramelized. Remove from the oven and season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Place in a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley.  

 
Zucchini Garlic Cashew Soup



Raw Cashews
Garlic
Olive Oil
Vegetable Broth
Fresh Herbs - Basil, Mint and Parsley

 Ingredients - makes two servings

2 ounces Raw Cashews

2 medium zucchini, cut into chunks

2 cups of water

4 garlic cloves

Himalayan salt or Bragg Liquid Aminos (to taste; this is optional)

Herbal seasoning blends or fresh herbs, like basil or dill (to taste; optional)

In a medium saucepan, add cashews, zucchini, and garlic cloves into salted water and bring to a boil.  Then reduce heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve and garnish. Enjoy!