Chicken Pesto Pizza

{I apologize that my pictures are never that great, I don't have an eye for that I suppose! But I promise you, this is the best tasting pizza ever!}

1 recipe pizza crust:

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
  
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  
• Extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 3 cups flour, plus more for dusting

Directions for pizza crust:

In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time . Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

After dough has risen, roll and stretch into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.

Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick.

Chicken Pesto Pizza ingredients:

1 packet of pesto sauce (to make this sauce, you'll need oil--preferably olive oil--and milk)
Any kind of cheese
Diced Tomatos
Bacon

Cook up the chicken and set aside.

Make the pizza crust according to directions.

While it is being pre-baked (I believe it's like 5 minutes), cook the pesto sauce according to directions. After the crust is done being pre-baked, pour most of the sauce on the crust, and spread it around.

Leave enough of the sauce to mix with the chicken.

After putting the sauce on, cover the top with cheese. And then layer with the chicken, and tomatoes/bacon (we use turkey bacon and it tastes so good)


Cook at 425 for about 18-20 minutes. Enjoy!

{pre-cooked}

The Bon Bon Sandwich

Looooove this sandwich. Why? Because it's super healthy and tastes great. And I don't have to spread messy mayo and mustard on it or cut cheese or tomato slices. My hubby's sister made it for me one afternoon and I fell in love. Hence the reason why I call it "The Bon Bon," her name is Bonnie. :) Thanks Bon!!


Check it...

{had to take a pic of the beautiful avocado. plus it matches my spastic table.}

ingredients

100% whole grain wheat english muffins

deli sliced turkey (i love this brand)

turkey bacon

avocados

sprouts (i told my daughter that fairies eat sprouts, and she was eating them ALL day)

P.S. Even my husband liked this sandwich.

easy minestrone.

ingredients:
3 carrots
3 celery stalks
1 small onion
olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cans diced tomatoes
1-2 cans kidney beans
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 lb cooked pasta
1/3 cup chopped parsley (reserve 1 Tbsp for garnish)
Parmesan cheese, for garnish

directions:
Chop carrots, celery, and onion into a small dice (The smaller you dice, the faster they cook). Saute in large stock pot with a little olive oil over medium high heat until vegetables are soften. Add garlic and red pepper flakes (if you so desire) and saute for another 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes (don't drain them), beans (drain and rinse these), and chicken stock. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add pasta and parsley. Serve. Garnish with a little fresh parsley and Parmesan. Serves 6.

i had no parsley on hand, so that's why there's a lack of green in my picture :)

recipe from here.

candy salad

so i really wish this picture did the dish justice, but it just doesn't. THIS IS SOOOOO GOOD. it is my families favorite salad for pot lucks and really could pass for a dessert. thanks to my friend holly for passing on this little piece of heaven!

1 big bag of spring mix salad.
2-4 heads of romaine lettuce chopped
2 pears peeled and chopped ( i ALWAYS use apples cuz i have them on hand)
1 Cup caramelized pecans- i add more
1 Cup crumbled Feta- i add more
1 Cup craisins- i add more

Dressing:
1/4 C. red onion chopped - i never use red onion
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1 C. Vege oil or canola oil
1 1/2 Tbls. poppy seeds
blend onion, sugar, mustard, slat and vinegar in blender. add oil and blend for about 30 more seconds then STIR in poppy seeds. Toss dressing with salad just before serving.

caramel popcorn.

my family always made the chewy variety of caramel popcorn, and this is the first crunchy recipe i've tried. i think i'm completely converted. it was so yummy!

ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup light karo syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 quarts popped popcorn {i popped 1 cup uncooked kernels}

directions:
preheat oven to 250 degrees. place popcorn in a very large bowl {i ended up using two}.

in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. stir in brown sugar, karo syrup & salt. bring to a boil, stirring constantly. boil, stirring often, for 4 minutes. remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.

place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. {i only baked mine for about 30 minutes because it was perfectly crunchy and delicious by then.} remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.