Pasta Salad

The weather is getting warmer!! I am sure everyone is starting to have BBQ on their mind. This is a great side dish with great flavor.


12 oz multi color pasta spirals
2.25 oz can sliced olives
2 cucumbers, peeled and quartered 1 green pepper, diced 1 red pepper, diced 1 yellow pepper, diced 10 - 12 oz cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 red onion, diced
16 oz Kraft/Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (you will not use all of it)
3.5 oz Crumbled Feta Cheese, if you can find garlic and herb its better, but plain will work
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta al dente. While thats cooking chopped all your veggies and put into large bowl. When pasta is done, drain and let cool. Then toss into bowl with veggies. Add dressing and salt and pepper. Ta da your done. I have also added a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese to it just for some added flavor and texture. Enjoy :D

Thin Crust Pizza

I have been using this recipe for over a year now. It is so yummy we don't order out. Its quick and super easy to make. The kiddos will love to help make the pizza. Anyone who has tried this recipe loves it.

.25 oz. pkt. active dry yeast
1/4 tsp. granulated sugar
3/4 cup 110 degree water
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
any toppings you wish to use


-Dissolve yeast and sugar in water; allow to rest for 8 minutes.
-In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt.
-Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture and mix well with a heavy spoon.
-Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes.
-Working from the edges to the center, press dough into a 12" circle. You can also hold the dough up, off the counter and stretching it works well, too (keep rotating the dough circle as you stretch to keep an even circle forming).
-Place dough on a lightly greased pizza pan and stretch dough to edges and use fork to poke a few holes to prevent any bubbles.
-Spread sauce over crust and top with cheese and desired toppings.
-Bake in a 500 degree oven for 8-12 minutes, or until edges are golden. (yes 500 degrees)

No, the dough does not have to rise - if it did, it wouldn't produce a thin crust. If you'd like to freeze the dough for later use, roll the dough into a ball, place in a sealable plastic bag (allow extra room, as the dough will rise a bit before it freezes completely), then thaw in the refrigerator completely before pressing out into a circle.



Pizza suggestions:

Veggie: spinach, red onions, sweet red pepper, feta cheese, and a four cheese on top

Extra flavor: after you put sauce on put small amount of cream cheese then mozzarella on top and your normal toppings.



I have also used this recipe to make calzones. Just put sauce on entire pizza dough then your remaining ingredients on half. Fold top half of dough over and then use fork to seal edges. Brush top with some butter and powdered garlic spread and bake.