Snacking Pizza

Here’s a pizza that is perfect for snacking or a tasty appetizer. Just cut it up into bite-sized pieces and pass them around (if you don’t gobble them up yourself first).

To make this pizza, or one like it, preheat your oven to 450ºF. Then, stretch some pizza dough out as thinly as you can and lay it down on a greased baking surface. Drizzle the dough with olive oil. Now it’s time to layer on the toppings. You can use whatever makes you happy, but here’s what went onto mine: thinly sliced tomatoes and onions, fresh rosemary, pine nuts (Spanish to avoid pine mouth), freshly grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

Put your pizza on your oven’s lowest rack, and bake it for 10-15 minutes (mine took 14) or until it turns golden brown. Slice it up and serve! Although David didn’t get to eat a single bite of this pizza, I like that the onion paid a little homage to him anyway.

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An Unfinished Tale

Remember a while back when I told you how Stella busted out of her crate and killed all of our plants? Well, there is more to that story. And now that we’ve settled our tab on the old apartment, I feel comfortable telling it. So, Stella has separation anxiety. It is much, much better now, but it was really bad when we first got her. She used to drool all over herself when she was in her crate. And one day, she managed to escape from it. A Houdini pup.

She escaped out on to the balcony, and climbed on top of the chairs in an attempt to search for us below. In the process, she knocked over most of our plants and killed several of them. When David came home and found her out there, he thought she was suicidal! But that’s not all the mischief Stella had gotten up to.

She also tried to tunnel out from the other exits in our bedroom. She peeled back the carpeting and chewed up the foam underneath. Surprisingly, this patch went back into place fairly easily and looked okay for the rest of our time there. The carpeting by our other door, however, wasn’t so lucky.

Busted!! We had to cover it up with a door mat so we wouldn’t stick our feet on the spikes that held the carpet down. But who can stay mad at a little face like that?!?!

All photos by David.

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Man-Pleasing Chicken

Man-Pleasing Chicken

I have never gotten so many compliments before, let alone for a piece of chicken. David suggested calling this chicken, “So Good it Can’t Be Described, Explosion on Your Taste Buds Chicken.” Exactly. I have never encountered a dish that is so basic and simple to put together yet creates such a big pay off. This chicken, quite simply, is one of the most savory things I’ve ever eaten. If you are the busiest person on the planet and don’t have much cooking experience, but you have to prepare a meal to woo the love of your life, cook this chicken!

Man-Pleasing Chicken

To make this chicken, which you should absolutely do immediately, preheat your oven to 450º F. Then, mix together 1/2 cup of dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of rice/rice wine vinegar. 

Man-Pleasing Chicken

Put 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into a foil-lined or disposable oven-proof, 8×8 inch baking dish. Six thighs came in my package, which made enough to serve 3 people. Then, salt and pepper the thighs. Pour your maple mustard mixture over them, turning the thighs in the mixture so they are fully coated. 

Man-Pleasing Chicken

Put the chicken thighs into the oven, and let them bake for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165ºF. Baste the tops of the chicken with the sauce half way through. I find that a meat thermometer is essential in cooking because it allows me to check for doneness without cutting into the meat and losing its precious juices. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Plate the chicken, whisk the sauce that remains in the baking dish, and then spoon the extra sauce over the top. Sprinkle over some fresh rosemary. If there is ever a time to use fresh herbs, THIS IS IT! The flavors are just so good together. Enjoy the savory goodness of this meal!

I adapted this recipe from “The I <3 Trader Joe’s Cookbook” by Cherie Mercer Twohy. Thanks, Jenna!

Shopping list:

  • Chicken thighs- 1 package
  • Dijon mustard- 1/2 cup
  • Maple syrup- 1/4 cup
  • Rice/rice wine vinegar- 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Salt and pepper
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