Mama Mia Pizzeria!

Roasted Tomato & Basil Pizza 

So, I love finding new recipes that are easy and DELICIOUS! Well, this pizza is SUPER delicious and fun! Takes a little time, but not anything difficult, and well worth it. We LOVED it!

STEP 1

Quick and Easy Pizza Dough:

1 package active dry yeast (1 TBS)

1 tsp white sugar

1 cup very warm water

2 1/2 cups bread flour

2 TBS Olive Oil

1 tsp salt

Directions:

   1. Preheat oven to 450*. In medium bowl, dissolve yeast & sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy/foamy (about 10 minutes).

   2. Pour into large bowl (or mixer) stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. In mixer only about 3-5 minutes. Let rest for about 5-7 minutes.

   3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to pizza stone dusted w/cornmeal (or lightly greased pizza pan).

   4. Gently brush lightly with Olive Oil

   5. Bake about 12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes. Then add desired toppings...

STEP 2: make Pizza

Ingredients:

Shaved Parmesan cheese

Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

1 large green onion

4 garlic cloves

1 TBS Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 tsp Kosher salt

Fresh ground pepper

1-2 cups baby arugula

8 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese

Fresh Mozzarella pearls

Fresh basil

STEP 3: In bowl toss cherry tomatoes, sliced green onion, 1 garlic clove, vinegar, salt & pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and cook in oven at about 350* for about 10-15 minutes or so. Not too long.

Also, roast other 3 garlic cloves in small skillet w/ little Olive Oil. On medium-high. Careful, this is fast. Just give them a little toast. Then stir with some fresh cut basil in the bowl that used to have the tomatoes.

STEP 4: Time to put goodies on top of pizza.

Spread with marinara sauce, spread on roasted tomatoes, sprinkle garlic & basil mixture

Dot with Mozzarella pearls, sprinkle shaved parmesan cheese, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, mix in small amount of the baby arugula

Bake at 350* for about 15 minutes ~ just until cheese is good and melty.

Remove and sprinkle rest of the baby arugula and a little more fresh basil on top.

Serve. DELICIOUS!! This is NOT YOUR NORMAL PIZZA and I'm Not Your Normal Nana! 

Second Option: we used goat cheese instead of the mozzarella pearls. We also added roasted pine nuts with the roasted garlic.

Of course, you can add all kinds of yumminess to this: artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, meats… etc.. ENJOY

When In Rome

We were lucky enough to have some free time in Rome so we could do a little sightseeing! So, when in Rome...

The famous Scalinata Spagna (Spanish Steps) named after the Holy See, lead up to the French church, Trinita dei Monti. In the 18^th century the most beautiful women and men of Italy would gather here hoping and waiting to be chosen as an artist’s model. 

Today it is filled with locals and tourists alike, and many beautiful people. However, no one asked me to model for them.J 


Peters Basilica! “The first burst of the interior, in all its expansive majesty and glory: and, most of all, the looking up into the Dome; is a sensation never to be forgotten” Charles Dickens, 1846. I, obviously, couldn’t say it better than Dickens! 

The Colosseum! (That’s how the Romans spell it) Construction began in 72AD and was completed in 80AD. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators this massive ancient structure is impressive! 

When my son, James, visited Rome several years ago he sent home photos and he was flexing his muscles in all of them. We wondered why. Then he said “I don’t know what it is, but everything about this city makes me want to flex!” J Now I know why! I couldn’t help but feel the excitement that must have filled this Colosseum 2000 years ago. I imagined myself being there as crowds of thousands of Romans pushed their way through the great entrance gates. The wealthy finding their place in seats of marble. Others hiking to the upper levels with benches made of wood. But, honestly, there are no bad seats in this Colosseum. I imagined the excited, riotous cheers as exotic, wild animals were let out into the arena. I imagined the thunderous shouts and shrills as Gladiators fought for their lives. So long ago and yet distance echoes of it all seem to still float in the air.

The Sistine Chapel leaves me speechless. I know, hard to believe. But words cannot describe it. It is truly one of the most, if not THE MOST incredible pieces of artwork ever created. Michelangelo is pure genius. 

The entire Vatican Museum is filled with spectacular works of art from paintings to sculptures to frescos, draperies and more. However, the hundreds of artworks you see on the way through the Vatican Museum to the chapel pale to a distant, bland recollection as soon as you see the ceiling. Like everything else in this extraordinarily exquisite city the photo does NOT do it justice.


Gelato! Did I mention how incredible the food is here? Did I mention that we indulged in the deliciousness of Gelato every single day!

I must confess, I like ice cream in all its wonderful varieties, but the Italians have created something purely magical with their Gelato. It is Heavenly. The best part is you get three flavors at once! My favorite combo: cioccolato al latte(milk chocolate), Coco(coconut), and Caramello(caramel). A trip to Italy would not be complete without this tasty treat.

Everyone should visit Rome. And when in Rome… enjoy the beauty, the grandeur and the delicious cuisine! 

Ohhhh Tokyo!

Konichiwa. Tokyo has been awesome! The families wonderful, the kids amazing, the food tasty and the scenery spectacular! I'm just sorry we've only had a few days in this amazing country. If you visit Japan and have a limited amount of time ~ here are a few MUSTS for each visitor:

1. See the adorable toddlers out on walks in their strollers.

2. Visit the Ancient Temple Suwa in the cute little town of Yamanashi.

3. Walk around downtown. It's big and busy but I am astonished at how beautifully clean it all is.

4. Try Takoki: traditional dumpling with octopus. Surprisingly very tasty. (don't try Natto ~ fermented bean dish. Oh boy! I tried it and it was pretty nasty)

5. Meet these amazing, warm and happy people. That really is the best part. Better than any tourist attraction.

What a privilege it has been to be here and spend even a small amount of time with these friendly, generous people. I have loved being in their homes getting to know them; sharing food, stories, and laughter. And they do laugh a ton!
Next time, I will have to stay longer! Sayonara!