Preseason Pizza

What a great evening! Tonight started with a trip to the farmer's market yielding a bag full of goodies. I was finally able to bring my husband, and of course we were hungry when we went.

some of the farmer's market goodies

When we got home it was time to figure our what was for dinner: we wanted to use some of what we'd bought, I wanted to use some leftovers from the fridge, and it had to be fast. Not only were we hungry, but there is football on! Two games: Pats & Bengals, Colts & Eagles. Given, it's the preseason and Vick can't play (so I can't boo him), so they aren't the most exciting games ever, but hey, I'll take what I get. So on that note I present my first recipe:

Clean Out the Fridge Pizza

I made this out of my farmer's market purchases and what I had lying around, but man, it was tasty. Feel free to substitute for things you don't like or things that you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 cup pasta sauce
• 1 package Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Toppings:

• 1 medium-large tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium button mushroom, sliced thin
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 hot banana pepper, seeded, membrane removed, thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium green bell peppers, seeded, chopped
• 15 slices pepperoni
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced, 1/4" thick
  
• 3-5 leaves fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven 400℉
2. Grease 10x15" or larger cookie sheet. Unroll Pizza Dough. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. Remove dough from oven and cover with pasta sauce. Use less than you think you should as mozzarella and tomato will make the sauce more watery as they bake
4. Spread toppings on pizza dough, saving the shredded mozzarella for the top (last ingredient)
5. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
6. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting.

Makes: 4 servings for regular people, 2.5 for my husband & me

It was a little more watery than I would have liked, but when you use that much fresh produce (and the fresh mozzarella) that's what you have to deal with. I was able to sop a little bit up with a paper towel, and then it was delicious.

Who wants pizza? and yes, it's a Mets coaster.

Serve with a cold beer and enjoy the game!

Preseason Planning - Part One

The NFL is halfway through its preseason, which means its time for me to start mine. You see, I like sports more than your average person, almost all sports - baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, soccer, anything Olympic - but I love football. I am counting down the days until my Longhorns take the field (17 days, 4 hours, 50 minutes from right now). I've had the first NFL game (which happens to feature my world champion Steelers) blocked off on my calendar since it was announced. I am giddy just thinking about it.

To prepare for the upcoming football season there are 3 major things to do - check my pantry, stock the fridge, and update my calendar. I wasn't kidding about blocking off the game time on my calendar. While I'll always watch a game when I'm home, I do still try and be social during the fall. Its a little more difficult up here in the north where football isn't as much of a way of life as it was in Texas. But as much as I love my friends, there are some games I will not miss. Having a BBQ the day of the Red River Rivalry? Too bad, I can't come. I'll be at home, watching the game, by myself.

Now maybe if you don't have a team you live and die with this seems a little weird, and a lot antisocial. But I've learned the hard way. I am not good company when I really care about a game. I don't listen. I yell until I lose my voice. And if my team fumbles, gives up a big score, or (God forbid) loses, I am likely to throw things at the tv, snap at anyone who tries to speak (or refuses to change their unlucky shirt/seat/face), and maybe even cry a little. So, to protect my friends and family, I'll block the big games off on my calendar and just say I'm busy. We can hang out on another weekend - maybe during the Baylor Game - when I can relax, enjoy some laughs, and worry more about running out of chips and dip than the who will win the game.

In case you're curious, here are the dates I'm busy this fall. What games make your calendar?

September 10, 8:30 pm - Steelers vs. Titans
September 19, 8pm - UT vs. Texas Tech
October 17, Noon - UT vs. Oklahoma
November 26, 8 pm - UT at A&M
December 27, 1 pm - Steelers vs. Ravens

more on preseason prep coming soon!

Hello World.

I have two major passions in life: food and sports. I plan my fall weekends around Texas Longhorns football games. I think the Monday after the Superbowl should be a national holiday. I make a feast of ballpark foods for Opening Day each Spring. I have always wanted a forum to share my thoughts on last night's game, and what I ate while watching it. After some encouragement from a friend who recently started her own blog, I figured I'd give it a go. So look out for recipes, reviews, and a healthy dose of totally biased opinions on sports!