Big Mac Pizza (?!?!)

Say Whaaaat? Yep, I said it. Big. Mac. Pizza. I have to give credit where credit is due, and here it is due to my sister. She told me she made this a few weeks ago and when my 17 year old brother tried it, he told her she could cook for him whenever she wanted. Anything that gets those kind of accolades from a 17 year old boy warrants my attention. Well, that, and the hubs and I have a weakness for some big macs.

Somehow I feel that this is healthier than going to Micky D's and getting the real thing. Think about it, you aren't eating 3 (!!) buns, and you are in control over how much or how little you actually put on this pizza. You can also sub the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Again. this recipe is super easy (what do I make that's not?) and its not so much of a recipe than it is an assembly. Here's what you need to make this fabulous pizza version of an American indulgence.

Big Mac Pizza

1/2 pizza dough (from pizza dough recipe posted on 1-20-12)

thousand island dressing

1 T oil

1 lb ground beef (or turkey or chicken)

1 medium onion (1/2 chopped, 1/2 sliced)

4-6 slices American cheese

chopped lettuce

sliced pickles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in saute pan. Add chopped onion, saute until translucent. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper. Cook until cooked through. Roll out pizza dough in a rectangle, transfer to oiled baking sheet. Spread on desired amount of thousand island dressing. Top with browned ground beef, spread evenly. Top with cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes until crust is risen and golden. Top with onions, lettuce and pickles. Slice and serve.

Hope this Thursday finds you all well! Have a fabulous day!

Chinese Orange Chicken and Fried Rice

One of my husband's and my favorite things to do is to stay in, order Chinese food and watch a good movie (or more recently the Republican debates), but unfortunately it is just too expensive to do all the time. So, I set out to create my own Chinese food at home. It is surprisingly easy with pretty simple ingredients. This recipe has quickly jumped into being one of our favorite dishes. If you love Chinese food, but have never made it yourself, I encourage you to try this recipe- you'll want to make it all the time once you try it!

Just like yesterday, I am using chicken thighs. I have considered doing this recipe with beef, so substituting beef brisket or something similar would work in this too, I think. Obviously you can use chicken breasts in place of the thighs- use whatever you have on hand! One ingredient in this recipe, rice vinegar, you may or may not have in your pantry. You can sub cider vinegar or even red wine vinegar (just add a bit of sugar too), you just need that acidic punch that the vinegar adds. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Orange Chicken

2-3 T Veg Oil
3 Chicken Thighs cut into strips
3 T flour
1 pkg Baby Bella Mushroom (or shitake) sliced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1-2 tsp ground ginger
2-3 T green onions chopped
pinch salt
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1/2 Medium Onion thinly sliced
3 T Orange Marmalade
2 T Rice Vinegar
3 T Soy Sauce
1 T Citrus Juice
Dash or Ground Ginger
1 tsp Sugar to taste

In medium bowl, combine 2nd half of ingredients and refrigerate for 1 hour and up to 1 day. When you are ready to begin cooking, in a medium bowl, combine flour, red pepper flakes, ginger, green onions, and salt, stir to combine. Pour over chicken strips in zip top bag. Shake to combine. In wok, or large skillet heat veg oil over high heat. Add the floured chicken. Saute until brown. Add mushrooms and toss to brown, about 1 minute. Add the soy/vinegar mixture. Stir until the sauce has thickened. Serve with Asian Fried Rice.

Asian Fried Rice

1 T Butter
1.5 Cups Cooked White Rice
1/2 Onion chopped
1/3-1/2 C Frozen Peas and Carrots
1 Egg
Soy Sauce
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Sesame Seeds (if desired)

In saute pan, heat butter over medium high heat, add onion and saute until onions are translucent and just beginning to brown slightly. Add the rice and stir to combine with onion. Add just enough soy sauce to turn the rice brown and give it a salty flavor. Saute for about 30 seconds. Add the frozen peas and carrots and saute until heated through. Add more soy sauce if needed. Make a well in the center of the pan, and crack egg into pan. Scramble the egg and combine with the rice. Season with garlic powder, black pepper and sesame seeds to taste. Serve and enjoy!

I can't wait to see if any of you try these recipes. Chinese food made at home is just as good (or better!) than getting take out. Its definitely cheaper and in this economy, cheaper is ALWAYS better. I hope you enjoy!