Category: Lunch and Easy Dinner Ideas

Forget Take-Out … Thirty-Minute Pizza with Homemade Crust

Two versions of Thirty-Minute Pizza –  Thin OR Thick Crust !!

Yup – takes about 30 minutes!  You make the pizza crust, let the dough rise for 10 minutes, add your favorite pizza toppings and you’ll be eating hot, fresh, delicious homemade pizza in less time than it takes to wait for delivery!  

Having a party which includes children?  Prepare dough ahead and let each child make their own individual pizzas.  They’ll have a great time!

Here’s my Latest Thing – invite The Girls over for a night of wine & fresh pizza. Soo much fun!

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From our last party…fresh mozzarella, sauteed red peppers & onions, pepperoni and arugula   

thirty-minute-pizza-myyellowfarmhouse-com

Meatball Version – Got leftover meatballs & sauce….?     

My Grandchildren’s Version – Each put on exactly what they wanted on their half of the pizza.  And just look at those flying hands!  

Fresh Mozzarella and Fresh Basil – The first Thirty Minute Pizza I ever made.

Follow this link to ‘Popover Pizza’ a.k.a. ‘Upside Down Pizza’, which was one of my twins sons favorites when they were young!

6 - Popover Pizza a.k.a. Upside-Down Pizza - myyellowfarmhouse.com

For the meatball pizza I used whatever I had in the fridge; some meatballs, spaghetti sauce and various cheeses.  Once my pizza was fully ‘fitted out’, it was popped onto the lowest shelf in the oven. After 14 minutes I was happily stuffing my face with hot, delicious pizza. And, get this, I’m not usually a big pizza fan.  But I’ve been known to have three pieces of Thirty Minute Pizza.

Recently I doubled the pizza crust dough recipe, put the dough in two large resealable plastic bags and refrigerated them. Actually, I made the dough two days ahead, so on the night of the party, the dough had risen so much that the bags were near to bursting.

My plan was for each of the four ‘kiddos’ who attended the party to make their own individual pizzas.  And it worked like a charm.  I gave each child a small piece of parchment paper, a hunk of dough and some ‘pizza fixings’. The mini individual pizzas, still on the parchment paper, were placed on a cookie sheet and baked on the lowest rack of the oven for about 13 minutes. The kids had a great time making their pizzas AND they actually ate almost all of them – which was pretty unusual since they usually eat like birds..    ; o )

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Thin Crust Version – note cooking time is slightly less than Thick Crust Version !

To double the Thin Crust Version – do NOT double salt. Use 1 tsp. ..  double all other ingredients

Oven at 425F     Bake on lowest rack for 12 – 14 minutes.

Ingredients and Method          

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour   – plus a bit extra when kneading the dough
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp. quick rise (or bread machine) yeast – OR 1 packet
  • 3 Tbs olive oil    ++  I used olive oil infused with basil
  • 1/2 cup very warm water   –  120 to 130 degrees    ++  Water should feel very warm..but not quite hot.

Sauce & Toppings of Your Choice!

  • pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce or  etc.
  • meatballs, cut in half or thirds
  • pepperoni
  • cooked ground beef
  • peppers, onions etc.
  • fresh mozzarella, grated mozzarella, grated Parmesan, grated Romano etc .  OR – pepper jack cheese, grated 5-cheese Italian mix…. whatever you have
  • Don’t be afraid to try things like ham and slices of canned pineapple etc. YUMMY!
  • Or make a White Pizza with Alfredo sauce & cheese.   Or mix it up and add sliced tomatoes and fresh basil.

Method

In a good-sized bowl place 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. sugar and 1 packet quick rise (or bread machine) yeast, which equals 2 1/4 tsp.  Mix dry ingredients with a fork.

Add 3 Tbs olive oil and 1/2 cup very warm water   –  120 to 130 degrees  ++  Water should feel very warm..but not quite hot.  Mix ingredients together with a large spoon.  Towards the end it might seem as if there’s not enough water but just keep mixing in the rest of the flour and it’ll turn in a really nice dough.  ++  Dough will be a stiff.

Sprinkle a little flour on the counter or a clean dish towel.  Knead dough for about four minutes. Dough should be nice and elastic by this time.  Place the bowl you were using over the ball of dough and let rest for 10 minutes.

++   You’re going to find this dough easy to work with.  Because the dough is warm and fresh, it won’t keep shrinking back every time you try to form the it.  

After letting dough rest, I suggest using your fingers to press dough into shape.  Add whatever toppings you wish.  Bake pizza at 425F – ON THE LOWEST SHELF OF YOUR OVEN – for 12 to 14 minutes, or until bottom is slightly browned and the crust is just a bit brown.  ++ I cook the Thin Crust pizza for about 12 minutes but ovens differ.

++  I like to use a 11 1/2 inch nonstick pizza pan with holes on the bottom because it makes a crisper crust.  You can also use a cookie sheet.  If your cookie sheet isn’t nonstick, I recommend using parchment paper – it makes it much easier to remove the cooked pizza.

Thicker Crust Version – note cooking time is slightly different !

To double the Thicker Crust Version – do NOT double salt.   Use 1 tsp. ..  double all other ingredients

Ingredients and Method          

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour   – plus a bit extra when kneading the dough
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp. quick rise (or bread machine) yeast – OR 1 packet
  • 3 Tbs olive oil    ++  I used olive oil infused with basil
  • 2/3 cup very warm water   –  120 to 130 degrees    ++  Water should feel very warm..but not quite hot.

See TOPPINGS & METHOD above

++  Bake on lowest rack of oven set at 425F – for 12 – 15 minutes.  

++ I cook the Thicker Crust pizza for 15 minutes but ovens differ.  The pizza dough should be slightly browned on the bottom and the crust will just be a bit brown.  

++  I like to use a 11 1/2 inch nonstick pizza pan with holes on the bottom because it makes a crisper crust.  You can also use a cookie sheet.  If your cookie sheet isn’t nonstick, I recommend using parchment paper – it makes it much easier to remove the cooked pizza.

 thirty-minute-pizza-meatball-version-myyellowfarmhouse-com

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!8 Comments

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperoni Calzone – Quick, Easy & Good ! (Uses pre-rolled and pre-formed pizza dough!!)

10 - Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperon Calzone

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperoni Calzone is loaded with several types of Italian cheeses, roasted red peppers and pepperoni.  And better yet, its prepared with pizza dough found in the refrigerator section of your market and jarred roasted red peppers, which makes this calzone ‘Quick, Easy and Good’!

There is a bit of chopping, and about two seconds spent mixing the two eggs with a few spices and the Italian five-cheese mix, then it’s simply a matter of layering the ingredients on one half of the pizza dough, folding up the calzone and baking it.

INGREDIENTS              

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tbs. roughly chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 cup Italian five-cheese mix –  OR – 1 cup mozzarella
  • 1/8 tsp. Italian seasonings
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough

++  I used ‘Wewalka Classic Crust’. The dough is rolled in a layer of parchment, so you don’t have to worry about cutting a piece of parchment paper.  

 ++  If you can’t find ‘Wewalka’, use a tubed refrigerated pizza dough. Of course, you could make your own pizza dough but the cooking times may be slightly different.  (You will need a 9″ x 12″ rectangle.)    

  • 4 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni, sliced into strips
  • 1 1/2 cups jarred fire-roasted red peppers- sliced and drained
  • 9 slices provolone cheese

TIPS

I placed the pizza dough on the baking sheet when I first began preparing the topping ingredients, but found the dough had dried out a bit on the edges.  I suggest placing the pizza dough on the parchment-lined baking sheet a few minutes before you’re ready to put on the toppings.  ++ If the dough does become dry on the edges, it won’t hold together.  Just moisten one of the edges with a bit of water using your fingers and it’ll hold just fine!

As I mentioned above, I used the new pizza dough which comes rolled in parchment paper.  If you buy another type of prepared dough, be sure to line your baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.  You’ll be glad you did because the parchment paper will contain any drips and keep the calzone from sticking.

METHOD      Oven at 400F        Bake for a total of 30 minutes

In a small bowl, briefly beat two eggs.  Mix in 1/8 tsp. Italian seasonings and 1/8 tsp. salt.  Set aside half the egg mixture.  To the other half, add 1 cup shredded Italian five-cheese mix (or 1 cup shredded mozzarella).  ++  You’ll be using half the egg mixture as the first layer of the calzone.  The second half is brushed on top of the uncooked calzone.

Chop 4 oz. thinly sliced pepperoni into strips.  Chop the roasted red pepper into strips.  You should have 1 1/2 cups. Drain in a colander and place strips on a few sheets of paper towels.

On one side of the pizza dough spread  the egg and shredded cheese mixture, being sure to to leave a 1″ border around the edges free of filling. Next place pepperoni strips, followed by the drained, roasted red pepper strips.  And finally add the 9 pieces of provolone.  ++  SEE PHOTOS BELOW   

Fold over the other half of the pizza dough, making sure the edges meet.  Using your fingers, press dough down so both sides stick together – fold edges under.  Using a sharp knife, cut a few vent slits on the top of the calzone.

Bake calzone for only 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and brush with reserved egg mixture.  ++ You don’t have to use every single drop of the remaining egg mixture.

Return calzone to oven and bake until crust is golden – about another 15 minutes.  By this time the filling should be bubbling.  ++  A bit of oil from the pepperoni may bubble out but the parchment paper will catch it.

Allow calzone to rest  5 – 8 minutes, which helps the melted cheeses to set up a bit.  Cut into 12 pieces and – enjoy!!

++  If you chose, you can serve your creation with some marinara dipping sauce.  

Step-by-Step Photos – ‘Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperoni Calzone’

 

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!12 Comments

‘A Little Help from My Friends’ Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake

++ If you wish, this casserole can be prepared using just chicken or ham.  It could also be prepared with a few cans of drained tuna !!

‘Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake’ comes together quickly thanks to the use of frozen hash brown potatoes. (I like Potatoes O’Brien hash browns because they already include red pepper and onion.)  Thaw the potatoes in your microwave, allow to drain – and they’re ready to go.  No cooking and no peeling!

After scattering the potatoes on the bottom of a 9′ x 13′ casserole dish, chunks of cooked chicken and ham are added, along with sweet red pepper, mushrooms and a touch of garlic.  A quickly-prepared sauce is poured over all, followed by a sprinkling of three-cheese mix (Parmesan, Romano and Asiago) and some sliced almonds.  Bake the casserole at 350F for about for 50 – 60 minutes and get ready for some Good Eaten’ !!

INGREDIENTS         Bake in 350F oven for 50 – 60 minutes

  • 1 pkg (28 oz) frozen Potatoes O’Brien – thawed  — OR —  1 pkg. (32 oz.) frozen cubed hash browns – thawed
  • 2 cups cooked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces  ++ If you don’t happen to have cooked chicken, in a small covered skillet simmer 1 boneless chicken breast in 1/4 water or broth until fully cooked. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • 2 cups ham, cut into bite-sized pieces = (10 oz) ham steak      ++  Most hams are now water-injected…. If the ham seems ‘drippy’ place between paper towels and squeeze out some of the moisture.
  • 1 small pkg. (10 oz.) cremini  (or button) mushrooms, sliced       ++ If there are any specs of dirt on the mushrooms, wipe with a paper towel.  Do NOT wash under running water.  Mushrooms are like little sponges!
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/4 chopped sweet red pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken or mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
  • 3/4 to 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley     ++  Fresh parsley can be chopped, then frozen in a small storage bag.  Simply break off what you need !!
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • a bit of parsley – to sprinkle on top
  • paprika – to sprinkle on top for color

METHOD

Spread thawed Potatoes O’Brien evenly on the bottom of a 9′ x 13′ casserole.

Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake - www.myyellowfarmhouse.com (2)

Add cooked chicken and ham pieces.

Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake - myyellowfarmhouse.com

Place 1 Tbs. butter in a large skillet and cook sliced mushrooms, stirring, until mushrooms wilt.  Remove mushrooms and set aside while you cook the 1/4 chopped onion and 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper.  Cook onion and pepper until softened.  Add 1 clove minced garlic.  Continue to cook a minute more, until garlic softens.

Spread cooked mushrooms, onion, red pepper and garlic over ham and chicken.

Sauce – –  In a medium-sized bowl mix 1 cup sour cream, 1 can condensed cream of chicken (or mushroom soup), 1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled, 3/4 to 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley and  1 1/2 cups chicken broth until well blended.  Pour over ingredients already in casserole.

Sprinkle with 2/3 cup three-cheese-blend   ++ Or any mixture of Parmesan and other cheeses.  Add 1/2 cup sliced almonds and a bit more chopped fresh parsley.  Sprinkle with some paprika.

Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake - - myyellowfarmhouse.com

Bake at 350F for 50 – 60 minutes – until sauce bubbles around edges of casserole.  Allow casserole to sit for 5 – 10 minutes and serve.  Enjoy!!

 Ham, Chicken and Potato Bake - www.myyellowfarmhouse.com

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!6 Comments

‘Grab ‘n Go’ Crustless Quiche Squares

Above Photo  Shows Yield from Second (Smaller) Version of Recipe

Grab 'n Go' Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

UPDATE – – Cathy from Australia told me she prepared Crustless Quiche Squares BUT she substituted cooked bacon for the broccoli. I love that idea!  Cathy calls them Bacon and Egg Squares and said they were a big hit with her four daughters!   'Grab 'n Go' Quiche Squares - with Bacon instead of Broccoli

When my twin sons were teenagers I had a repertoire (of sorts) featuring things they could ‘Grab ‘n Eat’  –  and by ‘they’ I mean my sons and their multitudinous friends … all of whom seemed to have bottomless stomachs.

Crustless Quiche Squares are a bit more ‘solid’ than most quiches due to the addition of a bit of flour, which is why they’re so easy to ‘grab and eat’ either for breakfast (as I did today), for a packed lunch or to serve as appetizers.  And they’re equally delicious eaten right from the fridge or at room temperature.

++  Today I made a smaller version of the original recipe, which works well for someone like me who doesn’t need to feed lots of teenagers!  That recipe follows the larger yield recipe below.

       THIS VERSION  MAKES A LOT   ……   USE A GREASED 13″ X 9″ PAN   

  (++ See below for recipe which makes fewer squares ++)     

Ingredients        

++ Oven temperature changes  – –    Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, …  then lower to 350F for 30 – 35 minutes.    

  • 10 eggs
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 2 medium Bermuda onions, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp. baking POWDER
  • 1/3 tsp. salt
  • 1 lb. (16 oz.)  small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 lb. (16 oz.)  Monterey Jack Cheese – grated

In a large bowl, beat 10 eggs with an electric mixer for about a minute.  Set aside.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 1/3 cup butter.  Add 2 medium Bermuda onions, sliced; 1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms and 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.  Set aside.

'Grab 'n Go' Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Add 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp. baking POWDER and 1/3 tsp. salt to the previously beaten eggs until combined.

Add 1 lb. small-curd cottage cheese and 1 lb. grated Monterey Jack Cheese and beat until combined.

Add sauteed onions, mushrooms and broccoli. Again, beat until combined.

'Grab 'n Go' Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Pour into greased 13′ x 9′ pan.    ++ Bake at 400F for 15 minutes………then REDUCE HEAT to 350F for 30 – 35 minutes.

Crustless Quiche Squares should be light brown when fully cooked, and a knife stuck in the middle shouldn’t stick.  Enjoy!

                                                                         + + + +

++ Directions for Making a SMALLER Batch of  ‘Grab ‘n Go’ Crustless Quiche Squares ++

++  Use a greased 9′ x 9′ pan

++ Oven temperature changes  – –    Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, …  then lower to 350F for 23 – 25 minutes.   
   

Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 medium Bermuda onions, sliced
  • 3/4 cup chopped mushrooms
  • 3/4 cup chopped broccoli
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking POWDER
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) Monterey Jack Cheese – grated

In a large bowl, beat 5 eggs with an electric mixer for about 30 – 40 seconds.  Set aside.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter.  Add 1 medium Bermuda onions, sliced; 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1/2 cup chopped broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.  Set aside. 'Grab 'n Go' Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Add 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp. baking POWDER and 1/4 tsp. salt to the previously beaten eggs until combined.

Add 8 oz. (1/2 lb.) small-curd cottage cheese and 8 oz. (1/2 lb.) grated Monterey Jack Cheese and beat until combined.

Add sauteed onions, mushrooms and broccoli. Again, beat until combined.

'Grab 'n Go' Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Pour into greased 9” x 9′ pan.    ++ Bake at 400F for 15 minutes………then LOWER HEAT to 350F for 22 to 23 minutes.

Crustless Quiche Squares should be light brown when fully cooked, and a knife stuck in the middle shouldn’t stick.  Enjoy!

++ Recipe adapted from ‘The Frugal Gourmet’

Grab 'n Go - Crustless Quiche Squares - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

   

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!25 Comments

Crispy Tuna Patties

I’ve been making Tuna Patties for a long time – I’ve even cooked them on a wood stove! But I’d never written down the recipe before. You know… it’s like making meatloaf or meatballs – a bit of this & a bit of that…. until it just feels right.

Crispy Tuna Patties are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside – rather like a good crab cake! This recipe comes together quickly, so it’s good for lunch as a sandwich with tartar sauce and crispy lettuce. Or as a quick dinner, if served with a veggie or salad. Enjoy!

 My friend Naomi substituted canned salmon for tuna when she prepared these patties and, for an extra ‘taste sensation’, she served them with a delicious  remoulade sauce.  Sounds like a great idea to me!

Click here for ‘AnnaShortcakes’ terrific recipe for Remoulade Sauce!

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Ingredients           Makes 4 Crispy Tuna Patties

  • 2 (5 oz.) cans solid white Albacore tuna
  • 1/2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  • 4 Tbs. minced Bermuda onion
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (If you don’t have a food process or blender, mince some fresh bread, minus the crusts.)
  • 4 Tbs. mayonnaise
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. salt
  • a few shakes pepper
  • flour – for dredging tuna patties
  • 4 Tbs. olive oil – for frying

Method

In a medium-sized bowl, mix 2 (5 oz.) cans solid white Albacore tuna, 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning, 4 Tbs. minced Bermuda onion, 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (If you don’t have a food process or blender, mince some fresh bread), 4 Tbs. mayonnaise, 1/8 tsp. salt – or ‘to taste’ – and a few shakes pepper.

(Today I made half the recipe (two tuna patties) and used only one can of tuna.)

Crispy Tuna Patties - My Yellow Farmhouse

Form into 4 patties – each about 1/3″ thick. Place some flour on a plate and ‘dredge’ both sides of each tuna patty in the flour.

Crispy Tuna Patties -dredged in flour

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 4 Tbs. olive oil. Gently place the four tuna patties into the frying pan. Cook a few minutes (or until the patties are golden brown & crispy). Turn and cook on the other side until golden brown & crispy.

++ Makes sure your skillet is good and hot before you add the tuna patties! 

++ If tuna patties don’t seem to be browning enough, raise the heat a bit!

You may want to consider serving Crispy Tuna Patties with my Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes. With the addition of fresh greens beans with almonds –  or a salad – you have a delicious and inexpensive meal!

Link to ‘Oven-Roasted Parmesan Potatoes’

Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

My Friend Naomi’s ‘Crispy Salmon Patties’

Naomi's Salmon Patties - My Yellow Farmhouse

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!13 Comments

Quick Lunch or Dinner – Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches

Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches – version 1 –  Tomato, Bacon & Cheese

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Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches – Version 2 – Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches

+++ Update – I bet “Version 2” would really be good with bits of cooked bacon or ham mixed in!  Actually, so would a bit tuna,, salami or turkey etc. 

Any time of day is a good time for an open-faced sandwich. And a sandwich is particularly good when it’s adorned with melted cheese! These Melted Cheese,Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches – and the Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches – are super easy and yummy.

With the addition of a green salad, cold slaw, potato salad or sliced avocado drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, both the Melted Cheese,Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches and the Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches are perfect for an easy dinner.

(1) Melted Cheese, Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches – Uses toaster oven  – or toaster and broiler

Recently I went through I time where I was kind of “addicted” to these sandwiches.  I like to spread a bit of mayonnaise on these babies once they’re heated up. And that’s part of why my cholesterol is so high – my total fascination with all things mayonnaise.

HOW TO —  Lightly toast two English Muffins – cut in half. Place a ripe & juicy tomato slice on top of each of the halves of English muffin. On top of the tomato, place a few slices of cooked bacon. Place a slice of Swiss cheese – or any cheese of your choice – on top of the bacon.  (I like to sprinkle on a bit of oregano on top of the cheese but you can sprinkle on anything you like.)

Turn toaster oven to BROIL and broil until cheese is melted.   ++ Make sure you keep your eye on your sandwiches, broilers seem to wait until your back is turned, then they immediately burn your lunch! Recipe makes 4 sandwiches.

2 – Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches – OR – Appetizers  Uses toaster oven – or toaster and broiler

use as first photo

++ UPDATE – – – I highly recommend grating the cheese using a block of cheese. The pre-shredded cheese sold in the diary section doesn’t have the same taste as freshly grated cheese & the sandwiches don’t ‘puff up’ in the same way.

++ For Sandwiches – These sandwiches are rich and filling – and would be great for a brunch as well as lunch. If you add a salad, you’ve got a quick dinner idea! It’s pretty cool how the filling puffs up a bit as it heats up.  Recipe makes 6 open-faced sandwiches.

++ For Appetizers  Prepare as usual. Once they come out of the broiler, cut each English muffin into 1/4’s and there you go – a delicious hot appetizer!!

  Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups hard cheese, grated – such as Cheddar   (You can use pretty much any time of hard cheese, except for cheeses with a very strong flavor. Mozzarella – or any other type of soft cheese – is not recommended.)
  • 1/8 cup mayonnaise
  • a few sprinkles of Mrs. Dash
  • sprinkle on a little Paprika – for color
  • 3 English Muffins, cut in half to give you 6  halves – toasted

In a bowl, mix until well-blended; 1 egg, 2 cups grated hard cheese, 1/8 cup mayonnaise and a few sprinkles of Mrs. Dash & Italian Seasonings – or any seasonings you like.

Lightly toast 6 English Muffin halves. Spread egg/cheese mixture evenly on top of the toasted English muffins or toast. Broil until cheese mixture is hot and bubbling. It doesn’t get much easier than that!   Enjoy!



			

				

			
 My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!11 Comments		

		


				
					


	


				

			
							
		

		
		
Bacon and Egg Cups

	


	

		
These are easy and fun to make – in fact, the kids or grandchildren might want to help make them!


Don’t worry if you don’t have maple syrup. They’ll still be excellent but I do highly recommend making these Bacon and Egg cups with maple syrup ’cause it gives the bacon a real flavor boost. I know I always included the maple syrup when we had our own “maple sugar shack” on our farm in Quebec, Canada. (I’ll have to post a photo of it someday…)


This recipe makes six but you can make 12 just as quickly, which is great when cooking for a crowd. Plus the Bacon and Egg Cups are baked in the oven, so you can enjoy your coffee – or Bloody Mary – while they’re cooking!!


PS – The next morning I heated a few up in my microwave for about 30 seconds – they were still delicious!!


Makes 6                 Oven at 400 F                     15 – 20 minutes – keep an eye on them! 


May 2013  —  I made these with my grandchildren at our home in the Pocono Mountains and decided that 3 Tbs. of butter and 3 Tbs. of syrup was just tooo much.  Of course, as always – it’s up to you. Add as little or as much as you like!


My son asked us to make these using SPAM and, because it was his birthday, his wish was granted. The “SPAM and Egg Cups” were really good with cut up and fried SPAM instead of bacon!!  (I know SPAM is sometimes laughed about but it’s basically just cut up pork with spices. It tastes like ham – what’s not to like?!)


Ingredients


    

  • 6 slices bread without crust  (Use thinly sliced bread.)
    • 

  • 1 1/2 Tbs.butter, melted – previously was 3 Tbs.
    • 

  • 1 1/2 Tbs. maple syrup – previously was 3 Tbs.
    • 

  • 3 strips bacon, cooked until crisp and then crumbled 
    • 

  • 6 eggs
    • 

  • salt & pepper
    • 



Grease 6 muffins tins or spray with Pam. Cut crusts off bread, flatten down a bit with your fingers. Press one piece of bread into each of the 6 muffin cups. Mix 1 1/2 Tbs. melted butter with 1 1/2 Tbs. maple syrup and brush the mixture onto the bread.  Sprinkle crumbled bacon into bread cups. Break an egg into each cup and sprinkle with salt and pepper. (Actually, I made these with one piece of crumbled bacon per serving – instead of a half a piece. A few of the eggs “overflowed” the muffins cups due to the extra bacon, so I just cleaned up the extra with some paper towel.) 


Bake at 400 F for 15 to 20 minutes, until eggs are set and bread is toasted. After 15 minutes, keep an eye on them because you don’t want to over cook ’em – the yolks should be a bit runny.  Enjoy!


Bacon and Egg Cups - Use for Blog


			

				

			
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Ham ‘n Swiss Bread

	


	

		
When we lived in Villanova, outside of Philadelphia, my sons and their friends used to love grabbing something to eat which didn’t need to be heated.  Just Grab and Go!   Therefore, they  loved Ham ‘n Swiss Bread.   Ham ‘n Swiss Bread is good reheated, at room temperature or right out of the oven = which makes it nice for a party or a picnic.


Oven at 375 F       Bake for 30 minutes       Makes  one  Ham ‘n Swiss Bread


            Ingredients


    

  • white bread dough – enough for one bread, either made from scratch or purchased.  ++ Of course, if it’s frozen…. you’ll have to thaw it first.  Follow directions on the package.)
    • 

  • 3 cups chopped ham   (I used a 12 oz. packaged ham slice)
    • 

  • 1 cup chopped Swiss cheese
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  • 1 Tbs. mayonnaise
    • 

  • 1 Tbs. grainy mustard    (I use Grey Poupon “Country Djion”)
    • 

  • a bit of oil to grease baking sheet
    • 

  • 

  • 1 egg, beaten – to be used right before baking
    • 



Place dough (after thawing, if necessary) in a medium-sized greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap (or a dish towel).  Allow dough to almost double in size in a warm place. (I like to warm up the oven – just a tiny bit – and leave the dough to rise there  – out of any drafts.)


Ham and Swiss Bread - My Yellow Farmhouse


Once dough has risen, remove it from bowl and ‘punch it down’, which means punching or pressing the dough down until it’s, basically, hardly any bigger than when you first placed it into the covered bowl.   This rising is called (no surprise here..) – The First Rising.


Form the punched down dough into a log shape about 8″ long.


Ham and Swiss - myyellowfarmhouse.com


Place “dough log” onto a greased cookie sheet and flatten down with your hands – or a rolling-pin – into a rectangle about 11″ x 13′.    ++ The rectangle doesn’t have to be perfect.  


Once you begin working the dough, it’ll get softer and your job will be easier.  Here I am stretching the dough. Whatever works, right?      ++ I discovered purchased bread dough is harder to work with than homemade bread dough. 


Ham and Swiss Bread - myyellowfarmhouse.com


Mix chopped ham and chopped Swiss cheese with 1 Tbs. mustard and 1 Tbs. mayonnaise. Spread the mixture in the center of the rectangle. Then, using kitchen shears (you can use a knife, but I think shears make the job easier), make cuts at 1″ intervals on both sides of the dough – cutting towards the center.


Ham and Cheese Bread - myyellowfarmhouse.com


One by one, take a strip from each side and bring them together in the middle of the loaf.  Twist the two ends together, using the photo of the finished bread as your model.  Don’t worry – it’s super easy.  And, actually, kind of fun!   ++ You might have to stretch some strips a little bit to make them ‘meet’.




Ham and Swiss Bread - myyellowfarmhouse.com (2)


After you’ve finished twisting – admire you handiwork for a minute – then cover bread with a dish towel. (Tea towel for my British, Maltese & Australian friends!!).   Allow bread to rise for the second time, which should take about 40 minutes.


When bread has risen sufficiently, meaning almost doubled in size,  heat oven to 375F.    ++ Don’t forget to remove bread from oven – if it’s been rising there.




Using a brush or your fingers (I always use my fingers…) spread beaten egg on the risen bread.


Bake for 25 – 30 minutes.  Bread should be golden brown, and should sound hollow when lightly tapped.      Enjoy!!


			

				

			
 My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!6 Comments