Pizza || Lightened Up

>> Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Talk about food rut. My name is Ashley, and I'm a pizza-haulic. But you already know this about me. We're not talking Domino's or Little Caesar's. No. Just like sandwiches, there are so many different ways to get my fix.

And the fastest + easiest way to lighten up a pie is by thinning out the crust and topping with roasted veggies.

Exhibit A:


Here we have . . .
  • 2 poblano peppers 
  • 1 large yellow squash
  • 1 medium cooking onion
  • pinch salt + pepper 
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • (and I added 1/2 cup garbanzos)
For the crust . . . 

I made a half batch of Jamie Oliver's pizza dough (full recipe calls for 7 cups flour, but we've found when using white-whole wheat and halving it, 3 cups is usually enough versus 3.5) and divided it into THREE sections. (Each is about a cup of flour.)

To make the crust thin + crispy, it works best to let the dough rise fully, punch down and then refrigerate overnight . . . and then take out for about an hour or two before use.


Sauce + Cheese . . .

  • I used 1/2 cup of our Boozy + Bold Tomato Sauce, without the booze. No substitution either. Just left it out.
  • Then a healthy 1/2 cup of Colby-Jack cheese sprinkled on top. Maybe another sprinkle for good measure.
Putting it together . . . 

  1. With the oven preheated to 400 degrees F, I just roasted the veggies for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they were browned.
  2. I upped the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and put our baking stone inside to warm up.
  3. I rolled out the dough onto a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin to get it really flat and then transferred it to the stone and baked for around 2 minutes.
  4. I flipped the dough over and then spread out my sauce, topped with the roasted veggies, and finished with the cheese.
  5. Baked for between 11-13 minutes, until golden brown.
  6. Then we cut the pizza in half, topped with some hot sauce, and it was gone in no time at all!


I don't plan on giving calorie breakdowns for all my recipes now, but a.) I've been keeping up my meal diary and b.) it's been a request I've received (overwhelming, actually) in the past. Anyway, I was surprised this meal came in so "good" calorie-wise (even though this isn't EXACT, like I over-shot the cheese -- but I tried getting as much info in there as possible). Because it's pizza. It's something I eat all the time. And it's pretty darned healthy.

Another food rut I'll happily fall into. Especially with our CSA produce season upon us. So many options for roasted veggies -- maybe even mushrooms. And one of my goals this summer is to make my own mozzarella cheese.

Have you found a healthier way to eat more of something you love?

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Breakfast Rut

>> Monday, May 20, 2013

The word "rut" has such a negative connotation, doesn't it? Maybe I should use a different term. Basically: I've been eating the same thing for breakfast for the last five or so days. I feel like I've found a good groove -- because when I first started keeping my meal diary, I was being far too skimpy on this important meal.

Here she is!


THE MEAL:
  • Egg friend in coconut oil sprinkled with black pepper + paprika
  • Two slices of Ezekiel toast (7 sprouted grains) 
  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/2 sliced avocado

BREAKDOWN:


You guys had some great suggestions to not get too hung up in the numbers counting when I track what I eat. Instead, paying attention to my macros is going to probably be the best thing for me to do. This meal looks pretty balanced to me. And coming in at 426 calories versus the 250 (a trap I fell into while looking too much at the calorie #), is much more sustaining.

So, I'll happily fall into this breakfast rut if it means I get the right mix of what will keep my satiated and energized with drippy goodness . . .


Do you have go-to meals like these? Any suggestions?

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Weekend Things

>> Friday, May 17, 2013

Not to rag on this weekend since it hasn't even happened yet, but I'm super excited for NEXT weekend. I love holiday cookouts, so tomorrow we'll be tuning up our charcoal grill and getting all the supplies we need for an outdoor feast of sorts.

In the meantime . . . 


// Down for the Count //
After posting about MyFitnessPal experience, I've struggled.
I think tracking what I eat is really helpful, but I'm getting too numbers-focused.
And then I eat things like delicious Justin candy bars versus healthy snacks.

// Sniffles + Sneezes //
Here's some good advice for how to deal with allergies on the run.
Personally, I do saline nose spray + homeopathic remedy + occasionally these eye drops.
I also make sure I shower off ASAP to get all the pollen.

// Dreams //
Wow this beautiful backyard movie night looks enchanting.
Hard to top that.

// Foot Finds //
I bought leopard crocs sandals this week. Is something wrong with me?
If I don't like them, I may send instead for these Reef sandals (good deal!).
Everyone keeps suggesting Rainbow sandals. Any experiences?

// Spring to Summer Eats //
Parmesan-Garlic Grilled Corn -- might make for Memorial Day.
Strawberry + Rhubarb Crumb Pie b/c I'm in the mood to bake a pie.

// Pretty (Cool) Playhouse //
I'd love to get Ada a playhouse for the backyard.
I've been scouring Craigslist and our local mom's yard sale group for a deal.
Been totally inspired by this project + this project. Stay tuned!

// Smart Stuff //
Building a straw bale shed + did you know I dream of living in a bale house?
Grilling sandwiches using your waffle maker via Edible Perspective.

// Homesteading //
Yard to Farm via Brooklyn Based
Realistically, I may plant a large backyard perennial garden, thanks to Aynsley for the inspiration!


And I have a simple recipe to add to my discussion about Mushrooms for Runners:


Just saute some garlic and sliced mushrooms in a pan for a few minutes (until softened and fragrant) and then lower the heat and add a few cups of baby spinach. Wilt and serve warm with whatever you're eating on a given night. Goes well with eggs . . . with sandwiches . . . whatever!

And here's what you may have missed this week on Writing Chapter Three:



Have a great weekend!

Psst: You can check out more Weekend Things here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here.

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