That's Amore (when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie)

Today, October 11 is National Sausage Pizza Day. Pizza in South Dakota apparently is a dicey proposition, at least according to the Big Man. He is more of the afficinado than I am, and he is constantly reminding me of how it isn't the same here.
I agree.
The water is different.
There are not one, but two, New York style pizzerias in Sioux Falls. Both have their good points. The Taste of the Big Apple ( http://atasteofthebigapple.com/) is in a funky downtown building. On Friday nights they have live music and it's this great atmosphere.
Their topping and sauce are like what I remember of NJ pizza. I love the atmosphere. They have knishes which are definately a food I miss from the NYC metro area. Even the Little Man enjoyed eating there.
But none of us liked the crust.
Due to the experience of eating in the place, I can overlook that detail.
We were excited when NY Style pizza (http://newyorkexpresspizza.com/)opened last year. We were hopeful. The pizza smelled right when I picked it up. When I opened the box the crust looked right.
Then I saw it.
That Midwestern additive to pizza.
Cheddar cheese.
In all fairness, that was before they moved to their new location.
I'm sorry, but you don't put carrots in jello, cottage cheese in lasagna and you definately do not put cheddar cheese on lasagna.
So, in the Big Man's eye, we are back to pizza square one.
That is, I'm making it at home.
I buy pizza dough, usually the jiffy mix. I make my own sauce. And I am definately cheddar free!

1 box pizza crust mix & ingredients to make it
2 tbsp olive oil
1 c secret sauce (recipe here http://mommydomchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/09/thats-amore.html?m=1)
2 vegetarian Italian style sausages, cooked
1 c mozzerella cheese shredded or 1 ball fresh mozzerella sliced

Make dough & brush with olive oil. Blind bake 10 mins, remove from oven. Top with sauce, sausage and cheese.
Bake 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Be True to Your School

Every year, for the official night of back to school we eat a special meal that the Little Man picks.


We eat on our fine china. My china is inherited from my grandmother, who in turn inherited from her mother in law.

We drink sparkling grape juice out of our wedding crystal.

This year, his favorite meal is pizza.

And for dessert, cupcakes

Its a great way to start the year

Menu Monday, Mid May (a bit early)

Its time for me to figure out what the heck to feed my family.

For Mother's Day, I decided that I want French dips.

I love them and they are incredibly easy to make-perfect for mother's day. I am going to make corn on the cob with dilly butter, roasted red potatoes and cupcakes.

On Meatless Monday, we are going to have calzones. Rounding it out will be spinach, salad and leftover cupcakes.

http://www.wondermomenvy.com/2009/06/cafe-rio-pork-salad-copycat-recipe.html

Tuesday will be cafe rio pork on top of cilantro lime rice

. I am going to put the salad on the side, and a healthy serving of peach cobbler and ice cream.

Wednesday is pasta night, and this week's selection will be garlic chicken farfalle. I'm adding salad, garlic bread and leftover desserts.

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/?p=21

Thursday we are going to have Mongolian beef, with egg rolls and fried rice. Orange jello for dessert will make a certain Little Man smile,

Friday will be meatball subs, with salad, roasted potatoes and a special dessert.

I love, love LOVE the oreo delights we are going to have on Friday!

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/?p=44
Saturday is now pizza night! So we are going to get it from some pizza place, and that will make everyone happy.

Menu Monday, first week of May

This is the first week of May, and it is still cold in my part of the world. Cold weather=craving comfort food, still.

It is Meatless Monday. I am thinking either pasta, with escarole soup OR grilled cheese, tomato soup and white cheddar mac & cheese.








Tuesday is taco Tuesday, but Thursday is Cinco de Mayo so I am switching things up. We are going to have chicken stir fry with egg drop soup and homemade egg rolls.



Chicken stir fry
1 c diced cooked chicken
1 c cooked brown rice
1 c shredded carrots
1 c frozen peas
1/2 c teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp chili sauce
1 egg beaten

heat everything together in a pan except the egg (that gets added at the end)


Wednesday is breakfast for dinner, so we will have waffles. This time, I will make the Big Man happy and NOT use apple sauce.














Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, so we are having quinoa burritos with rice.



1  c quinoa, cooked
1 can black bean soup
1/2 c mexican cheese
1 can enchilada sauce
4 tortillas

preheat oven to 375. mix soup, quinoa & cheese together. put in tortillas, roll up and put into a baking dish. Top with enchilada sauce. Bake 30 minutes.






Friday is first Friday downtown. Its a fun night out, so we will go to http://www.atasteofthebigapple.com/ for dinner, and http://www.ohmycupcakes.com/ for dessert. I'm drooling already.

Saturday I run in my 5k, and then I have a graduation party to attend, plus going geocaching with my son. I'm thinking hot dogs, fried potatoes, and some other yummies.