LET'S GET GREEK - GREEK PIZZA

I was in the mood for pizza, and for something Greek. So, I decided why not combine the two and make something delicious? Let me tell you something about this pizza, it is unbelievably easy to make, and so so so good. I actually didn't expect it to be this good. It took me approximately 15 minutes to make this. The reason being, I used pre-made pizza crust. I don't opt for this often, but the little grocery store near my house didn't have fresh dough, nor was I in the mood to make some. But this crust worked well! If you have fresh dough, or feel like making some, I would suggest that. But if you don't, it's still super good!

1 pre-made pizza crust

1 tbs olive oil

2 tbs pizza sauce (I don't like too much, but it's really up to you)

1 cup grated whole milk mozzarella

1 small thinly sliced tomato (I like them very thin)

1 handful of thinly sliced onion, rounds broken up

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (This was the instruction for my pizza crust - follow whatever yours says). As it is heating, place your crust on a pizza baking sheet. With a baking brush, spread the olive oil all over the crust's surface. Spread pizza sauce on the crust. Proceed by sprinkling the mozzarella, layering the tomato, adding the onion, and then the feta. Then, sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes.

This is what it should look like before just before you put it in the oven. Leave it in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

SO GOOD FRENCH TOAST

It is sweet. It is hearty. It is delicious. Yes, I am talking about this awesome french toast you see above. It is easy and fun to make, and will brighten up any morning. Trust me on this one.

So Good French Toast

For two slices

1 egg

a little less than 1/4 cup of milk (I use skim)

2 tbs granulated sugar

1 tbs brown sugar

2 slices of whole grain toast (I like the kind with plenty of seeds and grains)

2 good dashes of cinnamon, about 1/4 tsp

Cooking spray

1 peach

Handful of raspberries

Crack egg and beat in a shallow bowl. Make sure this bowl is wide enough to dip your toast in. Add milk and sugar, and mix. Add cinnamon, and mix. Note that the cinnamon tends to stay on the surface of the milk and doesn't like to mix in, so try your best.

Heat your skillet to between med to med-hi. Spray cooking spray.

Dip your toast in the milk mixture on both sides and add to the pan. Also note that the cinnamon tends to stick to the first slice of toast, leaving you with none for the second slice. I just add some more to the milk, or sprinkle it on top of the toast as it cooks.

Cook the toast for about 3-4 minutes per side. You will end up with deliciously golden french toast. Remove from heat and top with fruit and syrup and you are ready to go!

GREENS AND BEANS SALAD

You know when you really need to make a good but super fast and easy meal? Well that's the situation I was in tonight. I'm in the middle of exams and essays and, thus, am in a rush. I looked into my fridge to see what I had. Some left over fajita toppings (jalapenos, avocados, lettuce), which I thought I would put to good use. This salad is great because you can toss whatever you want into it and have something healthy, hearty, and delish ready in less than 7 minutes. I used canned beans since I was in a rush , but you could always soak some fresh ones. This would evidently take more than 7 minutes.

Greens and Beans Salad

Serves two

For the Salad:

1 can mixed beans

1/2 cup shredded lettuce

1/2 cup avocados, chopped into small chunks

1 stem green onion

3 rounds from a jalapeno pepper, finely minced

For the Dressing:

Juice of 1 small lemon, or 1/2 a big lemon

3 tbs olive oil

splash of red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp paprika

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the solid ingredients in a bowl. Combine dressing ingredients and shake well. Pour dressing over salad, mix well, and eat! If you have some time, it would be a good idea to refrigerate before eating for about an hour so that all the flavours blend together. But I ate it just after making and it tasted awesome. Enjoy!

APPLE PUFF PASTRY TART

I've recently taken a liking to a blog called Zen Can Cook. It is very french and very fabulous. So upon browsing his recipe library, I found one involving apples and frangipane and I fell in love. I had some puff pastry in the freezer and took a shot at it! Let me tell you, it is yum.

Also, in terms of the recipe, I tend to "eye" my measurements and go with the flow of things. I will try to keep the measurements below as accurate as possible, but I highly encourage you to go with the flow as well. Sometimes, that's how you make a good recipe even better!

Recipe for Apple Puff Pastry Tart

Adapted from Zen Can Cook

For the puff pastry:

1 roll puff pastry

1 egg

For the frangipane:

3/4 cup almonds

a little less than 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tbs brown sugar

2 tbs flour

1 egg

2 tbs softened butter

For the apples:

1 1/2 granny smith apple, sliced thinly

1 tbs butter

1 tbs granulated sugar

a few dashes of cinnamon

Thaw the puff pastry roll as directed. Set the oven at 375.

For the frangipane:

In a food processor, blend the almonds and both kinds of sugar until the almond is essentially powdered. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Proceed by adding the butter and blending again. Add the egg and blend. Finally, add the flower to thicken, and blend. Taste it, it's awesome. Roll out the puff pastry into a square; spread the frangipane onto the pastry, being sure to leave a the edge clean for the crust. If you have some remaining frangipane, Zen says you can freeze it for future use. I had about a tbs left and ate it... it's too good.

Apples:

Layer the apples over the frangipane, also being sure to leave room for the crust. Heat the butter and paint it over the apples. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. For the finishing touch, beat the last egg, and paint it over the crust so that it becomes beautifully golden as it bakes.

Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Slice, and enjoy!