Terra Americana

Fruit Pizza for the 4th

My family is going to add fruit pizza to at least one of our menus this holiday weekend. The combination of blueberries, cherries, buttercream frosting and a giant chocolate cookie make it winner no matter what your party affiliation.

To make the frosting

1 package Buttercream Frosting Mix
4 tbsp melted butter
1/2 tbsp milk

Mix all ingredients together. Set aside until needed. (Your own favorite frosting may be substituted for this step)

To Make the Cookie

1 package chocolate Moose Tracks Cookie Mix
1/2 CUP BUTTER
1 EGG
1 TBSP WATER

Blend all ingredients well. Dough will be stiff. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Press dough into a parchment lined or greased round pizza pan or 9x13 baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes on 375 f or until the cookie begins to crisp to your liking. Keep in the oven longer if necessary, but keep an eye on it.
(Your own favorite cookie mix may be substituted for this step).

To Make the Pizza

Spread the frosting on the cooled cookie. Score the cookie to mark the the upper right hand corner for the blueberries. In the remainder of the pizza, create horizontal lines with the cherries. For fruit, use approximately

2/3 cup blue berries
1 1/3 cup pitted cherries, halved

Chill pizza until ready to serve.

Great substitutes

For Fruit strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and grapes

However you spend this Independence Day, be sure to rest relax and enjoy!

Photo Credit: Julie T Cecchini

Posted in all about pie, Fantastic Finger Food, Holiday Ideas, Summer Ideas | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inspired by Saveur - Welsh Rarebit Bites with Apples and Granville Cheddar

I always wondered about Welsh Rarebit. I have long known it was not made with rabbit, yet still it is there in my head that it is. I found a recipe for the British favorite in Saveur. Sometimes rarebit is prepared like a fondue, but this one is more like grilled cheese on steroids.

This weekend I traveled up the road apiece got apples at Nestrovich and aged cheddar from my favorite country store. I am thinking this is a terrific recipe for a Monday evening meal. The absence of rabbit will it a much easier sell to the men at my kitchen table.

Day old bread, cut into 16 slices. Its best if they are about 2" wide by ¹⁄₂" thick.
3 tbsp unsalted butter or Coconut Oil, melted
1 small tart apple, such as Macoun, Macintosh or Granny Smith, peeled, halved, cored, and thinly sliced - or try 1 cup roasted apples
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
3 tbsp greek yogurt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp horseradish mustard
1 tsp local honey
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush bread with melted butter; working in batches, grill, flipping once, until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Layer 2 apple slices on each toast; set aside.

Arrange an oven rack 4″ from broiler and heat broiler to high. Mix cheese, yogurt, Worcestershire, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Spread about 1 tbsp. of the cheese mixture over each toast. Broil until topping is melted and golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Simple ideas for busy weeknights:

Photo Credit: Julie Cecchini

Posted in A is for Apple, Bread like no other, Fantastic Finger Food, Harvest Foods, Holiday Ideas, Love your Lunch, Simple Snacks | Permalink | Comments (0)