Thinking Outside the Pizza Box

Here it is Monday again and I find myself entering my fifth challenge to Project Food Blog. Wow! I'm still in amazement and thanking all of you for supporting me.

This week our challenge is to put a new spin on pizza. You can see my post here. Don't forget to vote (not necessarily for me...but for all your favorite food bloggers. There are so many neat pizza recipes to check out).

Here is one of my favorite images of pizza that I drew way back in early 2009:

Pizza :: see original post here

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PFB Challenge #5: Recipe Remix

New ideas evolve from the combination of two or more existing ideas. This is true in cooking, design, art, and any area involving problem solving. Today's challenge was the perfect way to show this formula. To "think outside the pizza box" I made a list of my favorite recipes then chose those that would combine well with the pizza ideal (base, sauce, topping).

Below are three of the results. I've listed ingredients that you can just pick up at the grocery store...or if you're ambitious use a special recipe for individual ingredients.

Cucumber Salad Pizza

This recipe remix evolved from one of my favorite summer snacks...marinated cucumbers on hummus and toast. To make the cucumber salad...mix cucumber slices with equal amounts of oil and vinegar, chopped onion, plus salt and pepper (all to taste). Let sit in refrigerator a couple of hours to chill.

Prepare a flaky crust (croissant dough would be perfect). Once baked (and cooled) spread on hummus (plain or roasted red pepper), then top with cucumber mixture (drain liquid first) and additional chopped red pepper. A special touch...sprinkle feta cheese on top.

Huervos Rancheros Pizza

I love eggs and Mexican food...so huervos rancheros is a great initial combination, but then turn it into a pizza and wa-la! Prepare a pizza crust. Once baked, add layer of refried beans. Top with a verde sauce, chopped onions and jalapeño peppers. To finish this pizza add a layer of sunny-side up eggs. Place back in oven long enough to warm toppings up (about 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees). Serve with guacomole and/or sour cream.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pizza

PB&J is a staple in our house. Why not turn it into a dessert pizza? Prepare a whole wheat dough. Once baked, topped with a 50/50 mixture of cream cheese and peanutbutter. Top with strawberry jelly, then sliced strawberries. Serve with a tall glass of cold milk.

Here are some additional pizza ideas to try...

The Pear and Apple Tree

Sometimes you draw something and initially don't like it, then you tweak, tweak, tweak and somehow find the right formula. Both of these illustrations are the result of that oddball process. Yes, now I like them.


Pear Tree :: see original post here

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Apple Tree :: see original post here

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Eat Cake

It's time to celebrate {again}! I made it to Foodbuzz's Project Food Blog Challenge #4. If you'd like to read my next challenge and VOTE just click here!

Though neither my husband nor I cook much, we're infatuated with those cake baking competitions. While watching one my husband blurted out this quote:


It's How you Bake the Cake :: click here for original post
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Eat Cake :: click here for original post
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PFB Challenge #4: Picture Perfect

Here we are at challenge #4...and I really can't believe it. A big thank you to everyone supporting me and my quirky outlook on food.

This week's challenge is to create a step-by-step tutorial using photographs. Because I'm so busy (as are most of you), I decided to show a really simple recipe, but with a joyful twist.

































A fun update: Liz over at Confessions of a Former Couch Potato made my cupcakes this week - with her own personal twist. Yikes, sorry about the baggies Liz!

The Most Important Meal of the Day

Breakfast is my favorite meal.

I've drawn a lot of breakfast illustrations, but these are two of my favorites.


Breakfast :: click here for original post
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Continental Breakfast :: click here for original post
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And even more pears...

If you've been following along the last couple of years you know that I love drawing pears. Oddly, I really don't eat them much....I guess I just love them for their body. I'm so shallow.

Green Pears and Leaves :: click here for original post
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Bosc Pear :: click here for original post
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Bowl of Fruit :: click here for original post
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Five Little Pears :: click here for original post
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Solitary Pear :: click here for original post
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Love that Pear :: click here for original post

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Pickles, Pickles, Pickles!

I love pickles, but my daughter loves them even more. Here are three images celebrating our love for these fabulous treats!


The Empty Pickle Jar :: click here for original post
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Pickles :: click here for original post
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The Pickle Car :: click here for original post
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Raspberries

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite raspberry illustrations...in honor of my third challenge submission to the Foodbuzz Project Food Blog competition.

If you'd like to VOTE and read more about The Secret Society of Raspberry Revelry just click here!

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PFB Challenge #3: Luxury Dinner Party

Today you'll gain a sneak peak into The Secret Society of Raspberry Revelry and the festivities in which they partake.

The Society is composed of my two oldest children and their four friends. They met for dinner to share their love of the sweet and perfect raspberry. This post will share some of their most devout secrets.

Don't forget about having luxury dinner parties for your kids. It's a fabulous time to get away from cutesy birthday party themes and try something fresh and new.



Secret #1
They love to have dinner themes. Tonight they are focusing on the sweetness of raspberries. Did you know that choosing a theme actually expands your creativity? Try it.

To develop a dinner party theme...pick a favorite food, then pair it up with a fun word. Some examples include: A Pancake Picnic or a Souffle Soiree!

Secret #2
They love to dine outdoors. By choosing the coveted front porch, they enjoyed the fresh air, yet were still protected from obscure weather.





Secret #3
They insist on fresh flowers. Tonight they chose zinnias from the cutting garden, then paired them up with raspberries in small fruit boxes. To add a little punch we painted the boxes a bright blue.

Our theme dictated the color scheme (red and raspberry blue), so we chose fabrics to match. A little hint...when mixing patterns, always pair up a larger pattern with a small one.





Secret #4
They love making crafty decorations using what they have on hand. Today they made these nifty banners by dipping coffee filters in red and blue kool-aid. Once they dried, we stapled them onto twine. I just can't bring myself to take them down. They are so lovely.





Secret #5
They focus on simple and delicious food. By borrowing fabulous recipes from other talented cooks and using some of their own concoctions, The Society can focus on a beautiful setting and good company.



Secret #6
They enjoy picking goodies directly from the garden. Unfortunately, time constraints meant cutting out the berry patch this time, but don't forget to show your kids the source of their tasty foods.

Recipes for this course:

Frozen Melon Balls

Cranberry Raspberry Shirley Temple Sangria (cranberry raspberry juice and ginger ale, then drop in a clementine orange slice and a raspberry)

Recipes for this course:

Raspberry Pancakes (pancake mix, fresh raspberries)

Mini-Broccoli Quiche

Raspberry Chocolate Milk (chocolate milk, plus cranberry raspberry juice)

Recipes for this course:

Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly Cookies

Raspberry and Banana Smoothie (fresh raspberries, bananas, vanilla yogurt, raspberry juice and ice - blend together)

Secret #7
They love pairing drinks with each course. Tonight a different raspberry delicacy was combined with each food creation.

Secret #8
They enjoy the process of planning ahead. Tonight's meal was created over three days, spreading out the love of cooking, while eliminating stress.

Secret #9

They make sure to balance out their sweet and salty foods. Because the raspberry theme tended to be towards the sweet side, we added the cheese, quiche, and sausage to even it up a bit.

Secret #10

Well, maybe we'll just keep this last one a secret.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a peak into the The Secret Society of Raspberry Revelry. Look for our next agenda items soon.

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