Shaved Asparagus Pizza

For Mother's Day I made my mom lunch.  I made her this pizza because it combines everything she loves--cheese, asparagus, and pizza.  This pizza was easy and so delicious!  We are already making plans to have this pizza again with different combinations of vegetables!

 {Shaved Asparagus Pizza}

Asparagus was courtesy of the Farmer's Market which I did not get a picture because my hands were full of bouncing puppy and flowers (I love getting flowers from the local market!).  I also apologize for the pictures.  I forgot my camera, and my god-dog ate my mom's so I used my phone's camera.

 {Shaving asparagus}

 {Pile of shaved asparagus}

 {Gathering toppings for pizza}

 {Pizza before it was baked}

One year ago:  Sweet and Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Shaved Asparagus Pizza
from smitten kitchen cookbook

Makes 1-12 inch thin crust pizza

Prep time: 40 minutes
Assembly time: 8 minutes
Cook time:  15 minutes

1 recipe rush hour pizza dough
1/2 pound asparagus spears (or other vegetables of your choice like spinach and mushroom)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 green onion, thinly sliced

1. Make pizza dough.
2. Meanwhile, prepare asparagus.  Do not cut off the ends as these will be your "handles" as you peel the asparagus.  Holding a single spear by its tough end, lay it flat on a cutting board.  Use a vegetable peeler, create long shavings of asparagus by drawing the peeler from the base to the top of the asparagus stalk.  Repeat with remaining stalks, and don't worry if they are not all even!
3. Preheat oven to 500 with pizza stone inside the oven. 
4. Roll out pizza dough.
5. Take the pizza stone out once hot and sprinkle cornmeal on the stone to prevent the pizza from sticking.
6. Transfer dough to the hot pizza stone.
7. Working quickly, sprinkle Parmesan on top of dough followed by placing mozzarella on top of Parmesan.
8. Sprinkle garlic over cheeses.
9. Top everything with the shaved asparagus.
10. Bake pizza for 10-15 minutes or until edges are browned, cheese is bubbly, and asparagus slightly charred.
11. Sprinkle pizza with green onions and some grinds of pepper.
12. Serve. 

I am so happy to announce that the winner of the salt and pepper grinder giveaway is Michelle!  I have sent the winner a message so I can send them their wonderful prize!

I want to thank everyone who has supported this blog by reading or helping be my food guinea pigs!!!  Here's to another year of blogging! <3

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Gooey Cinnamon Squares

I've been wanting to make these for a while.  I was going to make them for a friend's birthday in January, but they were overseas.  So I made them for my brother's wedding as an alternative to the Nutella Cupcakes.  Although no one really ate them at the wedding, so everyone took some home.  I was flooded with texts and calls that they loved them.  Plus, everyone at work loved them. 

 {Gooey Cinnamon Squares}

In fact, my mother loved them so much, she demanded I make her a batch for Mother's Day (yes-she really did demand, and she has the entire batch frozen, ready for her whims).  They are not too sweet, and the cinnamon sugar goodness on top will win anyone over.  They remind me of a snickerdoodle--buttery cookie goodness covered in a crunchy cinnamon sugar top.

 {Spreading out the cookie base}

 {Spreading out the gooey layer}

 {Mixing cinnamon sugar and a view of the recipe}

 {Top with cinnamon sugar}

 {Cutting Gooey Cinnamon Squares}

One year ago:  Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich)

Gooey Cinnamon Squares
from smitten kitchen cookbook

Makes 24 squares

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes

Cookie Base
8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, room temperature
1/4 milk. room temperature

Gooey Layer
14 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey (KY Proud!)
1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg, room temperature
1 1/4 cups flour

Topping
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Line a 9x13 casserole dish with parchment paper; grease parchment paper with non-stick spray.
3. Cookie base:  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Meanwhile, whisk dry ingredients together in a small bowl.  Once butter and sugar are light and fluffy, add egg and milk, and beat until combined.  Scrape down sides and add dry ingredients mixing until just combined.  Spoon cookie base into prepared casserole dish and smooth with an offset spatula.  Set aside.
4. Gooey layer:  Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Meanwhile, whisk honey, milk and vanilla together until well combined.  Once butter and sugar are light and fluffy, add egg and beat until combined.  Add 1/3 of flour and mix batter; then add 1/2 of honey mixture and mix batter.  Repeat again, and then add remaining flour.  Dollop gooey layer over cookie base and spread with an offset spatula.
5. Topping:  Mix cinnamon and sugar together until well combined.
6. Sprinkle topping over gooey layer.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
8. Cool completely before cutting.
9. Serve.

PS--Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway because today is the last day!!!  I will be announcing the winner tomorrow!

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Food for Thought

{Redwoods, Bull Creek Flat, by Ansel Adams}

You don't ever have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life.  It doesn't matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest, [employer], childhood friend, or a new acquaintance--you don't have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small.  It's one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change, but if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and continues to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go.  

~Danielle Koepke

I cannot even begin to describe how happy I am at Toyota Tsusho!  I am doing what I love (accounting--just accounting!), with others who care about their jobs and other employees (they really are family to each other and have been so kind and welcoming), and with such great respect from a corporation (benefits, etc).  I am just floored!  I have learned my hard-taught lesson, and I will pay more attention to benefits and such in the future.

I hope that you are doing well, and that you have a safe, fun-filled weekend!

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BBQ Meatballs

I have a love/hate relationship with technology, and right now, I am in love.  I have figured out how to post from my phone so there shouldn't be any excuse for not posting!  YAY!!!

For my brother's wedding, I also made my favorite BBQ meatballs.  We had a potluck, and I am obsessed with these meatballs.  In fact, I believe of the 4 pounds that I made, I only had about 8 meatballs left!  All the wedding guests just demolished them!

 {BBQ Meatballs}

I also inadvertently knocked out a monthly food challenge hosted by Farmersgirl Kitchen!  Woot! 

{Save time and use pre-cooked, frozen meatballs}

{Done BBQ meatballs}

One year ago: Blackened Chicken

BBQ Meatballs

Serves 20

4 pound pre-cooked, frozen meatballs
4 cups BBQ sauce (I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's)

1. Crock-pot:  Place meatballs in crock-pot and pour sauce on top; stir with spoon until combined.  Cook on low for 6 hours or on high 4 hours.  Serve.
2. Oven:  Preheat oven to 400.  Grease baking sheets (it'll take at least two, twice).  Place meatballs and sauce in a bowl and stir to until combined.  Pour onto baking sheets and bake until hot, about 25 minutes.  Serve.

Do you have any go-to recipes for events?  I'd love to hear about them!

PS--Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

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