New Year, New Goals

Let me start this entry by saying I have been busy and I apologize for the disservice to all three people who actually read this blog! In July I took on this idea to start a food blog thinking it would be a fun way to spend time, and it has been. I love to cook but never had the wish to be a cook because I fear that I would grow to hate it. Cooking is my outlet. It’s a way to unwind. But lately I have been knitting afghans for Christmas as a way to relax.

During this time of zoning out on “knit one pearl one” I have found this very easy way to make a meal for one that uses minimal effort. You don’t have to stand over a stove or observe the heat to make sure nothing burns. Also it is a flexible meal that you can interchange with different vegetables or meats to make something different every day of the week.

All you need is a piece of your favorite protein like chicken breast, pork loin cutlet or turkey breast and whatever frozen vegetable you enjoy. The other great thing with this meal is you can make it in the morning while you are getting ready for work and have a freshly made healthy lunch for that day!

Easiest Dinner Ever!

6 ounce Cut of Protein (Chicken Breast, Pork Loin Cutlet or Turkey Breast), pounded slightly to be approximately a half inch thick.

1 Cup of Frozen Vegetables. You can use any kind you like or a half cup of two vegetables.

1 Tablespoon Butter or Margarine

1/2 Teaspoon Ms. Dash

2 Tablespoon of Your Favorite Condiment (BBQ Sauce, Whole Grain Mustard or Teriyaki Sauce. The possibilities are endless!)

Heat oven to 400°. Spray a 9” x 9” baking dish with non-stick spray and on one side place the protein and vegetables. Pour the condiment over the protein. Example: pour BBQ sauce over chicken breast evenly. Place vegetables on the other side and put tabs of butter over the vegetables evenly. Sprinkle vegetables with Ms. Dash. Place in oven for 20 to 30 minutes depending on what meat you use. Just check to make sure the meat is fully cooked and you are free to enjoy!

Pizza! Pizza!

I love pizza from growing up in the northeast. The way you bite into a double cheese pizza like a bite into warm string cheese. Weird analogy but it makes my mouth water.

When I moved to California the approach to pizza was a drastic change. Sure a double cheese is still good out west but cucumbers, feta and Tzatziki sauce? That sounds like a great salad to me, not a pizza. For me the one that shines amongst the eccentric and seen as the glory of California is the BBQ chicken pizza.

It was a pleasant surprise when I tried this unique concoction. The simplicity of the ingredients worked startlingly well. It's delicious though I don’t view it the same as a traditional double cheese. For one serving size the best way to make a pizza is to use pita bread as a crust.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

1/2 Chicken Breast

BBQ Seasoning (optional, personal recipe follows)

1 Whole Wheat Pita

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Onion, diced

2 Tablespoons BBQ Sauce

4 Slices Mozzarella

1/2 Piece of cooked Bacon, diced

Preheat oven to 425°

Season chicken liberally with BBQ seasoning or you can just grill as normally. Slice chicken into thin strips. Brush both sides of pita with olive oil and place on baking tray. This helps the pita crisp in the oven. Spread BBQ sauce over pita then evenly distribute chicken and onion. Place mozzarella equally over pizza to make sure all is covered. Place in oven for approximately 10 minutes until cheese just begins to bubble but not brown. Then sprinkle bacon over for the last 5 to 10 minutes until pizza is bubble and slightly browned.

Alyssa’s Rub ;)

1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika

2 Tablespoons Cumin

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Ginger

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

1 Tablespoon Dried Thyme

1 Tablespoon Ground Mustard

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

Mix all ingredients together in mason jar. Can be stored with herbs for up to a year but it might not last that long!