Great Pizza Crust

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water and let sit for 10 minutes.

Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.

Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well-oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.

Use your favorite pizza toppings to dress this crust.

To bake pizza, preheat oven to 425°. If you are using a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough and bake immediately. If you are baking in a pan, lightly oil the pan and let the dough rise for 15 to 20 minutes before topping and baking it.

Bake the pizza in the preheated oven until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

2 cups buttermilk baking mix -- (Bisquick)
2/3 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter or margarine -- melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450°. Mix baking mix, milk and cheese until soft dough forms. Beat vigorously 30 seconds.

Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. Mix butter and garlic powder; brush over warm biscuits before removing them from cookie sheet. Serve warm.



NOTES : These are a Red Lobster Clone.

Melissa's Lemon Pie

This is so different, you have to make it! Make sure your lemon is soft and juicy. Taste before baking it to make sure it's not too tart.

1 large lemon
1/2 cup COLD butter -- must be cold
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 prepared pie crust

Peel lemon and remove white membrane and all seeds. Place lemon, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a food processor or blender. Blend "like crazy" until mixture is completely combined. Put into prepared pie crust and bake at 350° for 30 minutes.



NOTES : This is super quick and really good. We especially like it topped with whipped cream.

Apple-Pecan-Cranberry Cobbler

3 large apples -- unpeeled,cored,sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ginger -- divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oatmeal -- uncooked
1/2 cup lightly toasted chopped pecans
1/4 cup flour
6 tablespoons butter -- cut in small cubes

Preheat oven to 375°. Place apple slices and cranberries in 9-inch pie plate. Add lemon juice, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, salt and the cinnamon and toss to combine. Pat fruit to compress in plate; flatten top evenly.

Combine oatmeal, nuts, flour, remaining brown sugar and the remaining ginger and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fingers to evenly distribute butter. Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit; press down lightly.

Bake until toping is golden and the fruit is soft when pierced with a sharp knife, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Alice's Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg -- beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup melted shortening
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400° and grease and flour an 8 X 8" pan. Sift cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in sugar. Add egg, melted shortening and buttermilk to flour mixture. Blend until just moistened and pour into pan, do not beat. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.



NOTES : This is the best cornbread I have tasted. So simple to make and easily doubled.

Anniversary Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup terriyaki sauce
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 green onions -- sliced
3 ounces bacon bits
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley -- for garnish

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and saute 4 to 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.

Preheat oven to 350°. Place browned chicken breasts in a 9 X 13 baking dish. Brush with teriyaki sauce, then spoon on salad dressing. Sprinkle with cheese, green onions and bacon bits on top. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Oven Swiss Steak

3 pounds round steak
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
salt -- to taste
24 ounces stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup celery -- chopped
1 cup carrots -- chopped
3 tablespoons onion -- chopped
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Cut meat into serving pieces. Combine flour and salt and pound it into the meat. In a small amount of shortening or oil, brown the meal. In a sauce pan, combine all other ingredients,. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil. Put meat and vegetables into a baking dish, cover and bake 3 hours.


NOTES : I like to make this recipe in the crock pot. I just combine everything and let it cook all day.