Pizza Bread

The weather has been super cold here in Vancouver ... and believe it or not, it has started to snow too !!! You would normally find a very mild pacific winter weather here in Vancouver. Those kind of weathers ask for comfy food you can whip up in no minutes. Sometimes I call them pantry food as I will make sure all my fridge, freezer and pantry are stocked up as there is no way, I will be going out in snow unless I really have to or have cabin fever.

One of my kids favourite pantry food is their all time favourite Pizza bread. You can basically use any kind of bread but if you happen to have a whole loaf of garlic bread in your freezer that would be even more ideal. Most of the time I would just use regular french bread or sweet Italian bread. I get my kids involved in this, as they love to be mommy's little helper and I find that it is a good family activity.

Pizza Bread

1 loaf sweet Italian bread
pizza sauce (from a can)
pepperoni (or toppings of choice)
shredded cheese – mozzarella, cheddar, American, provolone – it’s all good

Step 1:
Slice the bread in half length-wise.

Step 2:

Spread with pizza sauce (use as much as you like).

Step 3:

Layer on the pepperoni or whatever other toppings you may like.

Step 4:

Top with lots of shredded cheese.

Step5:

Bake for 8 - max. 15 minutes until cheese is melted and the bread is heated through @ 350 degrees.

Step 6:

Sprinkle with green stuff (basil, oregano, parsley) if you want to feel healthful.

Enjoy !!

Green Beans with Mushrooms & Almonds !

I remember having this dish as a side dish at my girlfriend's house in Berlin. It was just divine. I loved it every time I ate it. I would always bug Kerstin's mom to cook it for me whenever I went over for a play date when we were little. Mrs. Meyer gave me her recipe just before I left Berlin, and now it's time for me to pass it on to YOU !! I always make this dish with some steaks or roasted chicken ... you will see, you will end up loving it - just like me !!!

Green Beans with Mushrooms & Almonds

1 pound green beans, trimmed
6 slices bacon
2 cloves minced garlic
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Step 1:
In a large saute pan, cover the green beans with water. Boil for 5 or so minutes. You still want them to have a little crunch. Drain and set aside.

Step 2:
In the same pan, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain most of the fat and add the onions and mushroom.

Step 3:
Cook the onions and mushrooms until soft.

Step 4:
Add the almonds, salt. pepper, and oregano.

Step 5:
Toss in the green beans and cook until heated through. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed.

Step 6:
Top with the shaved Parmesan.

Enjoy !

German Apple Almond Cake

I love the smell of baked apple in my house especially when it's cold outside. I bake all sort of apple cakes. I've made this cake at least 100 times. It always comes out perfect and delicious. It is one of my family's favourites and I made this one for my girlfriend, Joleen, who came by for dinner with her little son, George. This cake is wonderful with a hot cup of coffee or tea.


German Apple Almond Cake

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup almonds, sliced
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 9 inch springform pan.

2. In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Stir into the eggs, yogurt, butter and almond extract.

4. Stir wet ingredients into the flour mixture just until combined.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Arrange apples over the batter.

6. For the topping; combine almonds, sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the topping over apples.

7. Bake for 1 hour or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Enjoy !