Category — Drinks

Remember this picture from the other day?

 I thought you might.  That’s one incredible looking piece of pizza, isn’t it?  Well, I thought about wimping out on you and just leaving up the post that said “we had this” and the picture and not coming back and posting the recipe.  But, I decided that wouldn’t be very nice - on two counts. 

• One, because I said I would come back and do it and even though I’m lazy, and it’s Sunday night, and I rented a movie, and I’m tired, and I want to go to bed - I don’t want to be a flake, so here I am.  I love you guys that much.(Actually, it may also be because I’m an only child who thrives on approval from others.  But, I do still love you guys.)
• Two, it’s probably the best alternative pizza I’ve ever had.  I’m not just saying that.  Hubby said it too -in between bites of pizza, that is.  I think he literally ate 8 pieces.  It really was that good.

What’s alternative pizza you ask?  Pizza that listens to 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M. - DUH!  (Oh, and it doesn’t have any tomato sauce on it.)  This pizza uses Caesar Dressing instead of tomato sauce. 

One of my early kitchen jobs was in a pizza shop.  You know, there’s a real art in making pizza.  My kids love watching me toss a pizza dough.  Fun stuff.  Someday I’m going to tell you all how to do it, but for now, I’m going to get right to typing up this recipe, because I know that you want to go make one.

For this pizza to be superb you need excellent dressing and a first class crust.  You can use bottled dressing and premade crust, and it will be tasty.  But, but you should buy the best you can find and know it only gets better when you have the time to use homemade versions.  What I’m saying is, if you need to use a Boboli, I’ll understand, but don’t come whining to me that you didn’t really like the recipe afterwards.  O.k.?

For extra fun serve with an Orange Julius.  My kids had no idea what an Orange Julius was.  What! Was! I! Thinking!  Making them wait this long to try it out was just a crime.

The Ides of March Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

1  recipe pizza dough or ready made pizza crust
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
6 ounces colby jack cheese, shredded
1 cup caesar salad dressing
8 ounces chicken breast, diced (one large breast)
2 roma tomatoes, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 green onion, sliced with green sections
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into pieces
Preheat oven to 500º.  Or, use your pizza oven.  I love my pizza oven!!  If you make pizza as much as I do, you should think about getting one!

Cut chicken into pieces and saute in olive oil.  Coat lightly with 1-2 Tablespoons of dressing.
Add one clove garlic to pan and stir.

Prepare dough on pizza pan or stone and brush lightly with olive oil.

Spread 1/4 to 1/2 cup salad dressing over crust.
Top with remaining clove garlic, spreading evenly.
Sprinkle parmesan over crust to lightly cover.
Put 1/2 colby-jack cheese on top.
Spread chicken on top.

Top with remaining Jack cheese and more Parmesan, if desired.

Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. (If using your pizza oven, follow the directions for homemade pizza for times.  Same goes for using a premade crust.)  See my oven, isn’t it cool??

Meanwhile, toss tomatoes, lettuce and green onions in large green bowl (or whatever color bowl you have).
Mix with additional salad dressing.
Serve each pizza slice with a serving of caesar salad on top.

Whew!  We’ve got lots of celebrations coming up: Pi Day, The Ides of March, National Chocolate Week, St. Patrick’s Day . . . enough to keep me busy in the kitchen for the next week, that’s for sure.

On Friday - Pi Day, which is March 14th, (3.14.  Get it?  Pi?) I’m planning on making an awesome pie that requires some Irish Cream.  Now, I could go the easy route and buy Cream of the Bailey’s persuasion over at the liquor store, but I prefer to make my own.  Yes, I make my own Irish Cream.  I’ve even been known to make my own vanilla extract.  No, I am not Martha Stewart, or Betty Crocker.  I actually get called “Betty Crocker” a lot, too.  Personally, I find it offensive because that bitch is old and I am not.  Seriously, it’s not a big deal.

 Irish Cream is easy to make, and if you want to completely impress all your friends and relatives (oh, yeah, and drink really good Irish Cream), I’m going to tell you to go out on a limb and flex your culinary muscles.  This is the number one housewarming gift you can make.  Trust me.  You’ll most definitely get invited back if you make this stuff.

 You’ll need a food processor or a good blender, and you’re going to need a bottle to store it in.  I went over to Pier One and bought a nifty corked glass bottle for this project.   

A funnel is helpful, too, but not mandatory.  When I make mine, I stick a little sticker on the bottom that tells when to use it by (not that there’s ever any left by that date).  Technically, it will go bad in a month because it uses fresh cream and raw eggs (I like to live on the edge - you know eating raw eggs, rare beef, dying my hair purple).

So here we go.  Hopefully, I won’t be too drunk by the end to finish this post.

Homemade Irish Cream

1 cup Irish whiskey
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whipping cream
4 eggs
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

In blender or food processor, combine all ingredients; blend until smooth.
Pour into a bottle and tightly cap (or cork).
Store in refrigerator up to one month.
Shake well before serving.

First the Whiskey.  Isn’t this the best part?

Then the sweetened condensed milk.  Actually, this is good stuff, too.  The stuff Dulce de Leche is made of.  But, that’s for another day.

Four eggs . . .

A cup of whipping cream . . .

Yummy chocolate syrup.

Oh yes, and the extracts.  These are important.  Use the good stuff.

Instant coffee.  Good for baking and Irish Cream, but that’s about it.  Don’t drink it.  Bleech.

Mix it all together.  Scrape down the sides if you need to.

Now, pour it in the bottle.  (It’s a good idea to put the sticker on the bottom first, if you’re using one.)

Crap!  Mine won’t all fit.  What’s a girl to do??

Ahh.  Yes, good plan.  Have a cup of joe when you’re done.

You want proof I am not Martha Stewart?  Here it is:  There’s no bow on the bottle.  I realize that there should be a bow on the bottle.  Of course, I didn’t think of it until later, like right now, when I’m looking at the picture.