Ring of Flavor - Italian Style


Recipe courtesy of Jo Davison
Serves 6
Non-Stick Spray
1 tbs. EVOO
1 tbs. butter
1/2 medium onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 8oz. pkg. sliced portobello mushrooms
Pinch of red pepper flake
Kosher salt
2 tbs. tomato paste
1 12oz. pkg. al fresca Chicken Sausage, Sweet Italian Style (pre-cooked), sliced
3/4 cup red wine
1 14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
2 tbs. corn meal
3 (8 oz.) packages of refrigerated crescent rolls, garlic flavored
4 oz. sliced pepperoni
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (3.25 oz.) can of black olives, sliced
1 egg 
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese as a topping
Pre-heat oven to 375.  In a large saucepan add EVOO and butter on a med-high heat.  Add onions and mushrooms and cook for approximately 2 minutes.  Add garlic, salt to taste,  pinch on Red pepper flake and tomatoes paste, combine toughly, cook for another 3 minutes or so, just enough to soften the onions and mushrooms, but not cook thru.  Add the sausage, combine thoroughly.  Add wine and allow to simmer until wine is reduced my half, approx. 5 minutes.  Add diced tomatoes and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, dropping temperature to low.
In-between simmer times prepare your pizza pan by spraying with non-stick spray and sprinkling corn meal over surface. Starting with the first pack of crescent rolls, unroll and  arrange them in a circle on a pizza pan, slightly overlapping each other, wide ends pointing towards the inside of the pan.  2nd pack same as above, but place in-between the others to create a large surface for placing the toppings. 3rd pack, same as above but now placed in the opposite direction so wide ends are pointing out.
Add pepperoni to the bottom spreading evenly over dough in a continuous circle. Then with a slotted spoon add sausage and mushroom filling over pepperoni.  Add cheese and olives.  Bring ends of the dough  up over filling and tuck under dough at center to form a ring.  Create an egg wash and brush over top,  grate Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over top and, bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Let set for 5 minutes before serving.

Weekly Menu for April 19th thru April 24th

Whew, what a week! Do you find yourself seemingly busier now that spring has sprung?  Now that the days are longer I find I that I try not to waste a moment of daylight and cram as much as possible into that day.  This week seemed no different and yet will not stop until late Sunday night.  This is also the reason why this weeks blog will be posted late today, sorry.  Although, I must say that because of the type A personality I seem to possess I'm happy when I have a week where multiple tasks and activities are completed and enjoyed.  Weird, I know, but I really think that staying busy is my drug!
My in-laws are in town this week and we’ve had the opportunity to explore places in our community that we had not yet been able to, we had a wonderful day at the beach that allowed for a great day of peace and relaxation from the never ending to-do list,  filming for my recipe submission for the Real Women of Philadelphia contest ended up being a family affair and the weekend is spoken for with our daughters cheer competition.  Happily I have to say that regardless of the hectic week, it was a week filled with great conversation, much love and good food (thanks to my family for eating all the food I keep making for the contest) and we will be sad when the week is over.  I have also found that I can agree with many when they say sleep can be very overrated when one is having so much fun!  
Speaking of good food, I do have a week full of new recipes for you that I think your going to enjoy; and I’ve also included this weeks video for my Jalapeno Popper Burgers that I entered as my entree submission and I think it will make a great dinner option for you this week.  Next weeks submission will be desert, and the family seems very happy that there will be much cake to eat!  Well, my friends my hope is that whether your week is busy or mellow, it will be filled with great conversation, much love and good food.  As always, have a fabulous week!
A few reminders for the newbies; you can click the title of any recipe to access it and if you are interested in a blank grocery list sheet formatted for Excel, send me an email and I’ll send one off to you.  This sheet saves you time in the grocery store. As always you can email me at mydinnerplaybook@aol.com with any suggestions, recipe ideas or blog tips!  Don’t forget to sign up as a follower, by doing so you will show up in the “really cool people” slot.  Thanks for sending this blog off to family, friends and strangers!  As always, have a fabulous week!
Find this weeks Grocery List here
Quick Meal 1
It looks like Rachael Ray did it once again and created a meal full of flavor without killing the budget.  The combination of all the ingredients come together so well that you don’t feel like your eating a budget friendly meal.

Quick Meal 2
You guessed it, it’s time to have incorporate some fish into the menu.  This recipe has a lot going on in it and since tilapia is fairly mild, those of us that do not automatically choose fish as an option will enjoy this dish.
Got Some Time - Meal 1
As a wise man once said, “You can never go wrong with a burger”; the wise man being my husband loves burgers, in fact we all do and I have to say we ate these burgers twice this week; since the first round of filming didn’t turn out so well and both times were equally delicious.  Yum!  Check out my video here. 
Got Some Time Meal - 2
Fettuccine and Pancetta, need I say more?  I love Fettuccine and when my copy of Bon Appetit showed up in the mail this week the picture automatically made me want to make this dish, agreeing with those who say we eat with our eyes first.
Got Some Time Meal - 3
Now when I saw that this recipe takes 40 minutes I wasn’t sure why since I seem to get my Ham, Apple and Brie Paninis made in 25 or so and then figured out it’s the caramelized onions.  But since I’m a lover of all cheese and caramelized onions this one was worth the extra time.
Pass the Wine; I got all the time - Meal 1
May’s issue of Food Network Magazine had a challenge to create a recipe using potato chips and this recipe seemed to work for a weekend dinner with a twist, plus don’t we all have a bunch of bags of chips that have nothing but crumbs at the bottom?

Grocery List: 4/19 thru 4/24

Produce
Onions, 6 small
Green Onions, 1 bunch
Meyer Lemons, 2 small
Lemon, 3
Garlic Bulb, 2
Flat-Leaf Parsley
Basil
Thyme
Marjoram
Small Head of Cabbage or Shredded Slaw Mix
Jalapenos, 3 Fresh
Lettuce
Tomato, 2
Guacamole pre-made or (2 Avocados, Salsa, S&P, garlic, lime juice combined)
Asparagus
Green Peas (or frozen)
Green Apple
Pantry
Thin Spaghetti
Fettuccine or Penne, 12 oz.
Rice
Pimento-Stuffed Green Olives
Sliced Almonds
Split Rolls or White Bread, 8 slices + additional white bread 8 slices
Hamburger Buns
Potato Chips
Spices/Staples
Salt and Pepper
Bay Leaves
Thyme
Smoked Sweet Paprika
Lemon and Pepper Seasoning
Paprika
Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Flour
Chicken Stock
Dijon Mustard
Mayo
Pickle Relish
Honey
Breadcrumbs
Meats/Deli/Seafood
Cured Chorizo, 1/3 lb
Chicken Thighs, 8
Tilapia, 4 filets
Ground Beef, 2 lbs.
Pork Loin Roast, bone in, center cut, 2 lbs.
Bacon
Pancetta (or you can use bacon)
Ham
Dairy
Butter
Eggs
Heavy Whipping Cream
Cream Cheese
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
Parmesan Cheese
Taleggio Cheese
Sour Cream
Store Bought Pesto
Frozen
Misc.
Dry White Wine or Dry Sherry

Weekly Menu for April 12th thru April 17th






TGIF!  I’m not sure how your week was but mine was busy, and in all honesty I can’t believe it is Friday already; I feel like I have been running at a frantic pace all week.  If you read last weeks blog you know that I decided to enter the Real Women of Philadelphia Challenge and while I came up with an amazing appetizer the work required to get it submitted was a lot of work!  I have to say creating the recipe was by far the easiest part,  having to film my recipe, edit it and then upload it was crazy!  After submitting my recipe I came to the conclusion that:

One - I see the importance of a great space when filming, my kitchen was not exactly the ideal place.
Two - It would have been so much easier if there was an actual camera person filming.
Three - Editing takes forever!
Four - I so need some acting classes!!!!

Now I’m going to post my video for your amusement, perhaps it will make you laugh, actually I’m sure it will and hopefully it will make your Friday go by a lot quicker!  Bottom line, I encourage you to make my Heavenly Little Puffs of Flavor you are going to love them!  The family has already asked for them twice!
Looking at so many submissions for appetizers at the Real Women of Philadelphia Challenge website I was so impressed with all the good cooks out there and it got me thinking; I want to feature others in this weeks recipes.  Now the submissions for entrees will not start posting until Monday so to have meals for you this week I searched blogs from The Foodie BlogRoll.  I think you’ll not only enjoy their recipes but I think you will be impressed with their blogs I know I was.  
I chose four recipes from the blogs at The Foodie BlogRoll, one from Ms. Paula Deen to honor her for roll in the Real Women of Philadelphia Challenge and one of my originals.  I hope you enjoy each of them, and as always, have a fabulous week!
A few reminders for the newbies; you can click the title of any recipe to access it and if you are interested in a blank grocery list sheet formatted for Excel, send me an email and I’ll send one off to you.  This sheet saves you lots of time in the grocery store. As always you can email me at mydinnerplaybook@aol.com with any suggestions, recipe ideas or blog tips!  Don’t forget to sign up as a follower, by doing so you will show up in the “really cool people” slot.  Thanks for sending this blog off to family, friends and strangers!  As always, have a fabulous week!

Quick Meal 1

As you know, I love Panini’s and it has been a while since I made these ones. Spring is in full bloom here and this sandwich along with a fresh salad seems like a perfect dinner to enjoy outside in the lanai.
Quick Meal 2

Speaking of spring, when you take a look at this recipe from the blog My Kitchen Cafe, you are going to agree.  I love tuna and while I make a Tuna Noodle Casserole that I’m fairly fond of when I’m in the mood for Tuna, my dish screams more fall and winter and this version looks fresh, light and spring like.

Got Some Time - Meal 1

I haven’t really experimented with Thai food all that much but was looking for another way to use an inexpensive cut of beef.  I came across this recipe at the For the Love of Cooking Blog and I think the author nailed it.  

Got Some Time Meal - 2

Okay, I have to admit that when I stumbled upon this blog the picture of the lady shopping in high heals got my attention, one, because I’m such a girly girl and two I have had to run to the store after being dressed up and in 5 inch heels and people look at you like they are wondering if you truly do your grocery shopping in heels!  The expressions on their faces are priceless and I look at them with a look that says - yes I do and I keep them on when I vacuum too!  Ha ha! The author of the Picky-Palate blog created this recipe and it ended up being a hit despite it’s name.
Got Some Time Meal - 3

I love this blog!  Poor Girl Eats Well shows us that we can always have flavorful food without breaking the pocket book.  This dish got my attention once I saw the words feta and stuffed!  Yum! 

Pass the Wine; I got all the time - Meal 1

I love Paula Deen and you know that when it comes to seafood you can turn to her to make a great dish.  Since we haven’t had seafood in a while salmon burgers seemed like the perfect dish to enjoy a great spring day!

Weekly Menu for April 5th thru April 10th



Happy Friday!  How was your week?  In this household it was a whirlwind and I for one am a bit tired but also filled with excitement.  The reason I’m tired; as you may recall this week happens to be spring break for the kids and we have packed our week with many activities. Because of the busy week I have to say I wasn’t able to dedicate the time I usually do to bringing you a week of new recipes, I’m sorry.  Don’t get me wrong I did create a few new recipes that I’m sure you will enjoy; I just didn’t get around to having them blog ready.  I assure you that I will have a new round available next week.  But since your here anyway, I’d like to share with you what my original intentions for this blog was and to issue you a challenge.
My goal for each day regardless of the huge to-do list and the never-ending places we all seem to need to be; is to have dinner together as a family every evening.  This is a time where we are unplugged from the world around us and are focused on just the five of us.  Over the years I’ve been able to make this happen despite our schedules and have eliminated the need for the drive thru and the take-out menus to feed my family some great meals that are good for us.  We have a saying in our household; “McDonalds is for emergencies only.” I’ve talked to so many families that have wanted to accomplish this goal also, but because of a lack of ideas, and that overwhelming feeling of where to even start, I decided that since I was organizing my week for my family I could easily share it with others.  Thus, Your Dinner Playbook was created.
Just as a coach has a playbook full of ideas and strategies to reach the ultimate goal of a winning outcome for their sport, I hand you my playbook for a victorious week filled with good food.  While working on my book submission my goal for the playbook was to have three full months of menus available, and I’m happy to say that this has been accomplished within this blog.  There are over 80 recipes available now and organized so that you have the choice to follow the week to a T and know that everyday you can eat a different protein and a different type of food for three full months.  By doing this you only repeat the recipe 4 times a year.  It’s also for those of you who may need a full week of Quick Meals one week and then know that the following week you’re able to make 6 days worth of Got Some Time Meals.  It’s yet another tool to make your life easier and enjoy a meal with those you love.
Now the challenge…this week I received an email from Paula Dean who is part of the Real Women of Philadelphia challenge.  The competition is to create recipes using Philadelphia cream cheese and if you’ve enjoyed any of my recipes you know that I’m fond of cream cheese!  So once I heard about it my excitement (mentioned above) level shot thru the roof.  It is a great opportunity and I’m excited to participate, although I am a bit nervous about the video submission portion of it, but working thru it!  So while I’m challenging myself to create some new recipes I challenge you to plan the following week of menus by mixing and matching the recipes within my blog to fit into your upcoming week.  The sky’s the limit, maybe there was a week you didn’t get around to preparing one of the posted recipes and you still want to try it, or you can let your kids decide what your eating and let them pick a full week of their favorites, pasta may be on the menu the entire week but imagine the pride they’ll feel knowing that they were in charge of the menu.  Let me know how your week goes and I’ll make sure and update you on mine, wish me luck!  Lights, camera, action!  Yikes!