Tuesday, October 19, 2010

More Yummy Recipes

This last weekend I was really in the mood to cook and bake.  Here is what I made for Sunday dinner.  Also, because I love you guys so much I will share the recipes.


Pecan-Crusted Pork Medallions

1 large egg
1/4 c. honey
3/4 to 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2 slices
1 c. chopped pecans (4 oz)
1/2 c. yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1. In a large bowl, mix egg and honey. Add pork slices; toss to coat.
2. In a food processor, place pecans, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Process until finely chopped. Place pecan mixture in resealable plastic bag. Add pork slices; seal bag and shake to coat.
3. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in oil 6-8 minutes, turning once, until golden brown on the outside and no longer pink in the center.

30 Minute Rolls

1 1/8 c. plus 2 tsp. water
1/3 c. oil
2 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 c. sugar or honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
3 1/2 c. flour

Mix first 4 ingredients and let rest for 15 minutes. Add salt and eggs. Then gradually add flour. Shape into dinner rolls (they should each been about the size of a lime). After shaped let rest on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Bake 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Makes about a dozen rolls

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pizza Recipes

As promised here are the recipes for the homemade dough and sauce:

Pizza Dough
2 1/2-3 cups flour (I used bread flour)
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 Tbsp)
3 Tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 cup very warm water (120-130 degrees)

Mix 1 cup flour, the sugar, salt and yeast.  Add oil and water.  Beat on medium speed for a couple minutes. Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves the sides of the bowl. (It will still be very sticky)  Place on floured surface and Knead for 5 to 10 minutes. (Or if you have a dough hook on your mixer like I do leave in the bowl and knead for 2-3 minutes) Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and then loosely wrap the dough in it.  Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.  Dough makes two pizza crust. Add sauce and toppings then cook for about 15 minutes in oven that is 425 degrees.


Pizza Sauce (these measurements aren't exact so you may want to experiment)


2 cans tomato sauce (could also use tomato paste to make it go faster)
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (or if you don't have that use oregano, basil and thyme since that is what is in the seasoning)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon oregano

Bring to a boil then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Put your sauce on the pizza and cover with whatever other toppings you want. I also sprinkled some chili powder and garlic power all over the pizza before baking it.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Homemade Pizza

Tonight was my first time ever making pizza.  I made both the dough and sauce from scratch. It turned out soooo good. Here's a picture of the second pizza. The first one was eaten before any pictures could be taken.


Next time pizza party at my place!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Back on the Exercise Train

Just for the record I haven't been wallowing in self pity the last two weeks.  I was sad that the IUI cycle didn't work, but I have been dealing with it.  There are a few times that I thought about blogging but it just didn't ever happen.

My main focus has now turned to getting in better physical shape. Afterall, my goal is to do another IUI cycle as my reward for losing 20 pounds. ;)  As of last Wednesday I joined a gym.  I'm so excited about it.  I had been trying to work out at home but that wasn't working.  Starting Thurday I have been working out every day after work.  I took it pretty easy on Thursday and just used the elliptical for a little under an hour.  Since that went so well I decided to go full blast today. 

I felt great until I was about to leave. Then, my body revolted about the fact that I hadn't eaten in 6 hours.  I told someone at the front desk I wasn't feeling well and they had me sit down while someone got me a protein bar and something to drink.  They were all hovered around me until they made sure I was going to be okay.  I felt so bad about almost dying in front of everyone.  I learned my lesson that it isn't okay to skip my afternoon snack before working out.