Chicken Dijon
This week's pizza project made me wonder why I started this great idea in the first place. You see, we had to have the kids in two different places by 7:00. How in the world were we going to make this happen? Usually I would just make everybody grab something quick to eat in the car, but Dad and I decided we could both leave work by 4:00 and make this happen. It was our first day of summer and the kids had stayed at work with me all day. Exciting, huh. We ran to the store and were home by 5:00 with all the ingredients we would need--shallots, dijon mustard (a honey dijon for us), spinach, and pizza crust mix (eventually we will make our own). The chicken was waiting at home.
As we assembled the ingredients, I have to admit I was a bit leery of a pizza with a spicy mustard, and blanched spinach as it's foundation, but I will tell you that I was most pleasantly surprised. Ry didn't cook much this time--he was watching a movie. Dad started the fire and the rest of us got busy cooking. No one likes cutting onions, but they do it anyway. Our crusts this time were more rustic and kind of ugly, but they were good, and the kitchen was a wreck.
Lessons Learned
Shallots aren't worth the trouble.
A good, sweet Texas 1015 or Vidalia is hard to beat.
Sometimes an unusual grouping makes something beautiful.
Spicy mustard? It'll be too hot. Spinach on a pizza? Wonder who will eat that--Three fourths of the Leach family voted this pizza the favorite so far.
Don't get too caught up in the way things look.
Sometimes it's nice to not look like the others. Looks say nothing about how cool you really are.
Cooking builds confidence.
We told Jayna that she had an advantage over every other soccer player in the tournament, because she was the only one strong and creative enough to make her own pizza before a game. She acted like she didn't buy it, but we are all proud of our accomplishments.
Traditions are important.
Keep them. Make time for them. Plan around them. Even when it's hard.
Life is messy, but it's worth it.
We ran out the door and left flour all over the counter, but we cleaned it up after we got home and now it's all dirty again.
From the Fab Four
Jonathan
This week's pizza didn't sound too appealing to me. The name sounded funny and I had to cook the onions again.( It wasn't even my turn). I sliced the chicken and the threw it in a centimeter of water on the skillet and let it cook. Next I stirred the onions and the chicken. I know, pretty impressive. By the time that was done, mom had ushered me off to the shower for graduation.
The pizza was great. The Dijon mustard added a kick to the otherwise elegant cheeses and spinach. I was starved by the time the pizza was off the grill so I ate about a pizza and a half. This pizza couldn't quite top last week so i'm gonna go 3.9265/5. Almost four but not quite.
Jayna
Pizza is a simple base made delicious with special ingredients and creative toppings but sometimes those toppings can end up being disastrous. When I read this recipe I thought it was going to be just that. I had no idea what a shallot was and I had never even heard of Dijon mustard. Putting this together was not that hard. All the ingredients were cooked all at the same time, but in different places. A lot was going on and some times, it was overwhelming. I made the dough as usual, and put toppings on pizzas but I tried to stay out of the way of other peoples work.
All of the craziness paid off though because when the pizza came off the grill I thought it tasted better than last weeks. All of the unusual ingredients blended amazingly and tasted elegant with the small kick from the Dijon mustard that gave it an delicious twist. I loved it and gave it a three and a half. Can't wait for the surprise next week!
Jessica
When it comes to pizza, you don't want to be boring and just doing cheese and pepperoni, you want to do good things like put chicken or veggies on your pizza. That will give it a 5 star rating.
What you want to do first is make your dough, then put it in the shape you want it. Put your crust on the grill and cook. When your crust is done put on your sauce (we used spicy mustard for a great flavored sauce.) Then add your ingredients (chicken,spinach, onions, shallots. The shallots don't matter that much.)on the cooked side then grill on cooked side. When done enjoy your wonderful pizza!
Remember- Fresh is the best!!
James-Ryan--wasn't willing to try. Pizza to Ry means round, red, and cheesy. Not caving on this one. He's going to eat with us. Next time I will make him help cook--I think that increases his appetite. He did contribute by setting the table and helping everyone get drink.
Lessons Learned
Shallots aren't worth the trouble.
A good, sweet Texas 1015 or Vidalia is hard to beat.
Sometimes an unusual grouping makes something beautiful.
Spicy mustard? It'll be too hot. Spinach on a pizza? Wonder who will eat that--Three fourths of the Leach family voted this pizza the favorite so far.
Don't get too caught up in the way things look.
Sometimes it's nice to not look like the others. Looks say nothing about how cool you really are.
Cooking builds confidence.
We told Jayna that she had an advantage over every other soccer player in the tournament, because she was the only one strong and creative enough to make her own pizza before a game. She acted like she didn't buy it, but we are all proud of our accomplishments.
Traditions are important.
Keep them. Make time for them. Plan around them. Even when it's hard.
Life is messy, but it's worth it.
We ran out the door and left flour all over the counter, but we cleaned it up after we got home and now it's all dirty again.
From the Fab Four
Jonathan
This week's pizza didn't sound too appealing to me. The name sounded funny and I had to cook the onions again.( It wasn't even my turn). I sliced the chicken and the threw it in a centimeter of water on the skillet and let it cook. Next I stirred the onions and the chicken. I know, pretty impressive. By the time that was done, mom had ushered me off to the shower for graduation.
The pizza was great. The Dijon mustard added a kick to the otherwise elegant cheeses and spinach. I was starved by the time the pizza was off the grill so I ate about a pizza and a half. This pizza couldn't quite top last week so i'm gonna go 3.9265/5. Almost four but not quite.
Jayna
Pizza is a simple base made delicious with special ingredients and creative toppings but sometimes those toppings can end up being disastrous. When I read this recipe I thought it was going to be just that. I had no idea what a shallot was and I had never even heard of Dijon mustard. Putting this together was not that hard. All the ingredients were cooked all at the same time, but in different places. A lot was going on and some times, it was overwhelming. I made the dough as usual, and put toppings on pizzas but I tried to stay out of the way of other peoples work.
All of the craziness paid off though because when the pizza came off the grill I thought it tasted better than last weeks. All of the unusual ingredients blended amazingly and tasted elegant with the small kick from the Dijon mustard that gave it an delicious twist. I loved it and gave it a three and a half. Can't wait for the surprise next week!
Jessica
When it comes to pizza, you don't want to be boring and just doing cheese and pepperoni, you want to do good things like put chicken or veggies on your pizza. That will give it a 5 star rating.
What you want to do first is make your dough, then put it in the shape you want it. Put your crust on the grill and cook. When your crust is done put on your sauce (we used spicy mustard for a great flavored sauce.) Then add your ingredients (chicken,spinach, onions, shallots. The shallots don't matter that much.)on the cooked side then grill on cooked side. When done enjoy your wonderful pizza!
Remember- Fresh is the best!!
James-Ryan--wasn't willing to try. Pizza to Ry means round, red, and cheesy. Not caving on this one. He's going to eat with us. Next time I will make him help cook--I think that increases his appetite. He did contribute by setting the table and helping everyone get drink.
The Prayer
Father God, today my prayer is simple. Thank you for this life--it's business and busyness. We are blessed beyond measure and we give all the glory to you.
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