You got a pear! On a PIZZA!!

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Collections and Indexes, Cook, Dough, Fruits and Vegetables, Garlic, Home, italian, kids, mozzarella, Olive oil, Pear, Pizza, Recipe, Ricotta, Tomato sauce

Kid’s pizza night is such a hit in our house and occouring in such great frequency that I’m trying to add new toppings.

Our smorgasboard of topping choices usually consists of mostly leftover from the previous 2-3 days. Chicken from the previous nights fajitas, spinach, fresh basil, & lots of freshly chopped garlic to leftover squash, broccoli, tofu cheese or goat cheese.

While out shopping for an impromptu pizza night and spinning in circles in the produce section looking for something new, I spotted her…a juicy Bartlett pear.

WHY NOT?

I came home to thaw last week left over whole wheat and white dough and to prep and arrange my veggies.

Dough Recipe on my Pizza, Pizza! post

I also decided to add some of my delicious and flavorful overnight tomatoes from the previous day.

The Three Raveous Munchkins had a field day as the always do!

I kneeded about 3 chopped cloves of garlic into my dough as well as spreading some ON my rolled out dough before light tomato sauce.

And I must say, my pear on my pizza were ahhhh-mayyy-zing!! The julianned pear that I put on top of all my toppings was lightly baked and browned in the oven and it really brought out the sweetness of the pear and was a really nice contrast with the zesty tomato sauce!

Sorry I have no after photos – they were quickly devoured!!

Tikka Masala Tikka Masala Tikka Masala (yes, it’s a song AND dance in this house!)

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Black pepper, Chicken, Chicken tikka masala, Garam masala, India, indian, Indian cuisine, Olive oil, Tomato sauce

   We LOOOVE Tikka Masala in this house! This is NEVER any left overs, and if my some miracle there are it’s never more than 2 bites of chicken that I refuse to waste!

   While most people think it is a traditional Indian dish, the origins of Tikka Masala are quite sketchy.

    Theory one claims that chicken tikka masala is not from India at all, but rather comes from Glasgow.  The story is that a diner sent back a plate of chicken tikka (marinated cutlets cooked in a tandoor) because it was overcooked.  The cook doused it with cream of tomato soup, added some masala spices, and sent it back.

   The competing theory  is that it originated in British India where the local cooks tried to adapt local dishes to the British palate. An adaption of Butter Chicken or Murgh Makhni could have been the first prototype of chicken tikka masala.

   Tikka masala has been found to be the most popular dish in British restaurants and it has been called “a true British national dish.”

   REGARDLESS it is Absolutely Delicioso!

Ingredients:

• Basmati or Jasmine rice – steamed

Marinade:

• 1 cup yogurt (I use greek)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tsp Garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 4 long skewers

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoon butter (or EVOO)
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3-4 tsp garam masala
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice,  cumin, garam masala, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 – 24 hours
2. Preheat a grill for high heat. (or grill pan)

3.  Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.

4.  Melt butter (or evoo)  in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with cumin, paprika, and  salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve over steamed rice and garnish with cilantro.

We were super duper busy tonight trying to get dinner cooked and trying to get out of the house to party. Had no time but I normally make Naan with this meal. Yum!

Enjoy!!