[ad#Google in Content]

Week of February 14, 2011

It’s Valentine’s Week!  Yes, we are already in the middle of the 2nd month of the year!  Wow, time is flying by!  Below is the menu I’ll be cooking and serving this week.  Yesterday during breakfast we discussed as a family what we were each in the mood for this week.  The menu is a compilation of everyone’s requests!  Let me know which recipes you try!  I really hope some of you try out the homemade pizza for Friday.  It actually has you make the dough and all!  We did it about a month ago and it came out delicious!

Monday: Happy Valentine’s Day! My big valentine picked Country Style Ribs and my little valentine picked corn!  I’ll serve the ribs with some basic roasted potatoes and corn on the cob!

Ribs recipe:  http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/bbq-country-style-ribs/Detail.aspx

Tuesday
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Of course a SkinnyTaste.com recipe has to be in this week’s menu!  Although my husband grew up with the yummy fried chicken cutlets, he has learned to really enjoy these nearly as much!

Recipe:  http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/04/baked-chicken-parmesan.html

Wednesday
Turkey Chili
I love turkey chili, and luckily so does the family!  This recipe can be doubled, with half frozen for a later date!

Recipe:  http://www.familyoven.com/recipe/white-bean-turkey-chili/307846

Thursday
Shrimp Tacos
I’m adjusting the delicious Tilapia Tacos recipe I shared in the past (http://smartypantsmama.com/2010/09/smart-food-tasty-tilapia-tacos/) by using shrimp instead.

Friday
Homemade Pizza
This is my daughter’s pick for the week!  Making homemade pizza is far easier that one would think.  Essentially all you need is dough, sauce and cheese.  Of course any extra topping that you like as well!

In terms of dough you have a few options:

1.       The refrigerated dough.

2.       The premade pre-cooked dough.

3.       The homemade dough – that’s what we’re doing!

I recommend, based on previous experience that you purchase “pizza sauce” rather than using traditional marinara, it just tastes better on pizza.  Or, a cheaper alternative, what we do, is use plan tomato sauce that comes in a can.

Recipe to make dough:  http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/05/lighter-baked-macaroni-and-cheese.html

Recipe comes for the William Sonoma Kids Baking cookbook

Ingredients
2 ½ cups, plus extra for kneading all-purpose flour
1 package rapid-rise yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
2 ½ teaspoons salt
1 cup warm water between 115° and 125°F
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 cup plain tomato sauce or pizza sauce
6 ounces of shredded mozzarella

1.        In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, stir together the flour, yeast, sugar and salt.

2.       Pour the water and olive oil into the flour mixture.  Stir with a wooden spoon until a rough, shaggy dough forms.

3.       Sprinkle work surface with some flour.  I typically lay out parchment paper and sprinkle the flour on top.

4.       Dump the dough onto the surface.

5.       Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it is smooth and no longer sticky.  Flour your hands and the surface as needed to prevent sticking.

6.       Gather the dough into a ball.  Wipe out the bowl and oil it with about 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.

7.       Put the dough into the bowl and turn the ball to coat the surface with oil.

8.       Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.  Set the bowl in a warm spot & let the dough rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size.  I wrap dish towels around the bowl to get the ideal temperature.

9.       To see if the dough is ready, simply poke your finger in the center.  If the indent of your finger remains, the dough is ready.  If not, give it another 10 minutes.

10.   Set the oven to 450°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

11.   Sprinkle work surface with flour and dump the risen dough.  Press gently to deflate.

12.   Using your hands, gently stretch the dough into a 14-inch rough.  Side your hands under the dough and carefully life it onto the prepared baking sheet.

13.   Pour and spread sauce on dough, leaving a 1-inch border.

14.   Sprinkle cheese and add topping as desired.

15.   Bake on the bottom rack of oven for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is brown.