pizza beer & fries

Today I was in the mood to eat. And eat...and...eat...and...eat...  Ugghh, and I wasn't even in the mood to eat healthy foods, pretty much was craving sugar and carbs.  However, instead of indulging in my cravings right away, I tried to fill up on healthier options first.  So I ate an apple followed by a handful of cheese crackers and then another handful of cheese and crackers - they totally cancel each other out, right??

When that didn't work, I decided to head up to the farmers market to surround myself with healthy options...too bad there are quite a few Amish & Mennonite vendors up there selling their baked goods!  I did restrain myself and ended up bring home some sweet potatoes, banana peppers and a small basket of okra - and a great idea for dinner.  A quick stop at the liquor store to pick up some Peace Tree brews and a six-pack of pumpkin beer (it was very fall like here today!) I was headed home to cook up a storm.

I texted Nic a teaser of what was to come: Pizza, beer and fries for dinner? And knew he would hurry home from work. :)

Pizza - Sweet Potato and Banana Pepper Pizza on a whole-wheat oatmeal crust
Beer - Peace Tree Hop Wrangler (for him) and Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale (for her)
Fries - Okra and Sweet Potato fries!



I decided on pizza for dinner rather late so needed a crust that called for no yeast.  After perusing the web a bit, I picked up a few tips and came up with this whole wheat oatmeal crust.

Sweet Potato and Banana Pepper Pizza on a whole-wheat oatmeal crust



I used::
1 cup oats - whirled in the food processor until fine
1 cup + 2 T whole wheat flour
1/2 t sea salt
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 T olive oil
1 T honey
1/4 - 1/2 cup water

Mix first 4 ingredients in food processor (after processing the oats) until combined.  Add in oil and honey.  Add water slowly processing until dough forms a ball (my dough was a little sticky so I ended up needed that 2T of flour in after adding too much water).

I placed our cast iron grill pan in a pre-heated 400* oven while mixing the dough.  Roll out dough rather thinly (1/4 inch?) and place in hot grill pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Prepare your toppings during this time.

Toppings::
1/2 sweet potato - diced
1 large banana pepper - sliced into rounds
Fresh mozarella
Red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Remove crust from oven.  Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, add toppings and season with salt and pepper.  Return to oven for 10-15 more minutes.  I finished mine off under the broiler for a minute to brown the cheese.





Okra and Sweet Potato Fries

Wash a few handfuls of okra and pat dry.  Slice the remaining half of the sweet potato into fries.  Toss both with a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the 400* oven for 20-25 minutes.



Verdict::

Pizza - 4 thumbs up!  Nic and I both loved the crust and agreed that we would serve it to guests.  It is not your typical pizza crust, but for sure worth a try!  I like it better that my go-to yeast style pizza dough.  Another keeper for the PS family!

Beer - always good. Peace Tree - you must try it!  Too bad it is only in Iowa for now!  If you come visit, Nic and I will get you a 6 pack at no cost!  (Nic picked me up some Peace Tree root beer yesterday, also a winner!) Pumpkin Ale - good, nothing to write home about.

Okra fries - does okra have a mild flavor in general? We both didn't detect much flavor from the okra and Nic thought the texture was a bit off. However, we both liked it enough to at least eat the other half of the basket I bought.  I've read that you should eat it within a day of purchasing it, so it looks like we'll have it french fry style again tomorrow - but I will for sure try this in more dishes later on!

Dessert - awesome, but needs some work!  Wait...I didn't tell you about dessert yet, did I?  Guess that will have to be another post. :)

I have a 9 miler on schedule for tomorrow morning, followed by a conference call and a date with my suitcase!  We are headed up to MN tomorrow afternoon for Crystal's wedding!!  Whoop!

G-Night!