Grilled Flat Bread

It doesn't get any simpler than this!

Easiest-ever Grilled Flat Bread

1 refrigerated pizza dough
Flour
4 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 Tablespoons fresh chopped thyme leaves

Heat grill to medium.

Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a rectangle 1/4 inch thick on floured surface. Brush one side of each rectangle with half of oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the dough to the grill, oiled side down. Cover.

Cook until the dough begins to bubble. Brush with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Turn bread and cook for an additonal 3 minutes.

Sprinkle with the thyme. Cut into pieces and serve.

Red Rice

This goes with everything! And if rice gives you any kind of trouble to cook, you'll love this one. This recipe is foolproof, I promise!

Fast Red Rice

2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 cups white rice
1 cup tomato sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups water

Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Brown the rice in the oil. Reduce heat to low, then add remaining ingredients. Stir once. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Applesauce Walnut Bread

Applesauce Walnut Bread

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
3 T. milk
2 cups flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
½ t. salt
½ t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
½ cup chopped walnuts

Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil, egg whites and milk. Mix until combined. Add remaining ingredients and mix, reserving the nuts for last. When the batter is thoroughly mixed, spread it evenly in the loaf pan.

Place pan in a pre-heated 350-degree oven and bake for 60-75 minutes. Toothpick inserted in center of loaf will come out clean when bread is done. Cool before cutting.

Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini Brownies

2 cups grated zucchini
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine all ingredients.

Pour batter into a greased, floured baking pan and place in a 350-degree preheated oven.

Brownies will be completely cooked in 30-45 minutes. Check by poking with a skewer to test for doneness.

Simple Mixed Berry Tart

Crostata dough:

zest of one orange
1 large or 2 medium-sized eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 sticks unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour

Cream the butter and sugar in a small bowl. Add egg, orange zest and vanilla and mix well. Stir in flour. A stiff dough will form. Shape it into a flattened round, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.

Fruit filling:

2 cups mixed berries
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour

Combine all ingredients in bowl. Pile tart filling onto crostata dough. Fold dough loosely around fruit, then place in preheated 400-degree oven for 20 minutes.

Cool. Serve with ice cream.

Orange French Toast

Don't you just love these long, lazy summer mornings?

Orange French Toast

1 cup orange juice
1 t. vanilla
1 cup light cream
3 eggs
1 loaf french bread
confectioner’s sugar

Combine juice, vanilla, cream and eggs in a large bowl. Set aside.

Slice the bread into 1"-thick slices. Dip slices in egg mixture. Place on heated, lightly-buttered skillet. Cook slices over low heat until browned on both sides. When all slices have been cooked, place them on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet in a pre-heated 325-degree oven and bake for 25 minutes. Dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

Homemade Sangria

We served this last weekend to friends. They left with a bottle and the recipe! :-)

Homemade Sangria

1/2 cup brandy
1 cup lemonade
1/2 cup orange juice
1 bottle red wine
1/4 cup triple sec
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup maraschino cherries
2 cups ginger ale

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. We use an empty, washed wine gallon because it can be sealed and chilled, and the fruit slices added at serving.

Enjoy!