Oven Roasted Fruit. Summertime Dessert

Whenever i get to go home to Utah it's a treat. Utah honestly has the most beautiful summers. I am probably bias given i grew up there but it's dry, warm in the day, cool at night, and has that really lovely soft grass that you can't wait to just lay in- especially under the stars, it's beautiful. Anyway!! Last week i went home to my lovely family to cook, dance, and eat (we live in the kitchen). 

Every year my mom buys a MASSIVE box of peaches from a local orchard; I make it my duty to eat them all before... uh... they...uh... go bad. You see, I can find complete and utter happiness in a bowl of 5,6,7, 10 peaches. It's why i made them dessert. Dessert typically equals happiness and so do peaches... big time smiles here. 

My cute sisters. They can't wait to each peaches for dessert too. 

 Specifically, this dessert is composed of peaches, strawberries, and plums. Drizzled with citrus and paired with Frozen Honey Sweetened Yogurt, Ice Cream, or by itself. You won't feel guilty for this one. 

Oven Roasted Fruit

Peaches, Strawberries, Plums

Ingredients

• 6 peaches, pitted and cut into quarters or eighths
• 6 plums or Italian prune plums, pitted and quartered or halved
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups fresh Strawberries OR raspberries
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Place the peaches and plums snugly in a single layer, cut side up, in 2 glass or porcelain oven-proof baking dishes. Sprinkle with the sugar, and then top with the raspberries. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender.

Heat the broiler and place the fruit about 5 inches below the heat and broil for 5 to 8 minutes, until the berries release some of their juices.

Remove from the broiler and sprinkle with orange juice. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. You may also serve it with a bit of plain yogurt (with honey or not). 

Whole Wheat Pizza. mmmm

The other night in search of dinner I stumbled on a stellar pizza joint (yelp helps)... i fell in love again. I'd almost forgotten how wonderful and universal pizza is. Admittedly, i reframe from eating Pizza due to the copious amounts of cheese that covers its glorious surface. However, You can actually ask for just a sprinkle of cheese and extra sauce... genius! P.s. This stellar joint is called Zaffiro's if you have never been. The thin crust will blow your mind. 

 I remember my elementary days when we had pizza once a week and it was the BEST day of our week (besides field day)... "Pizza Friday"... sigh. Unfortunately, i cannot turn back the clock and return to "pizza friday". However, fortunately, my mother taught me how to make my own... from scratch. Sigh. 

Thus... Whole Wheat Pizza. It tastes so GOOD. I did half and half... half with lots of cheese for the BF and the other half with just a sprinkle and roasted veggies (I used the roasted veggies from my Basil Quinoa Salad Recipe). Make sure you split the dough in half or you will get a crazy thick pizza crust for just a normal size pizza. 

After you have mixed and kneaded (no more than ten times), cover with wet towel, place in microwave, and let the rising begin. Allow 1 hour. 

 When your dough has doubled in size 

 split it in half and let it rise for another 45 minutes (at least)

 Roll it out... stretch it out with your palms and cover with your favorite toppings. Bake for 15 minutes and enjoy. 

Whole Wheat Pizza

10 servings

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour until dough starts to come together. Tip dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining all-purpose flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Let rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled.
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists, and gently pull the edges outward, while rotating the crust. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan. Top pizza with your favorite toppings, such as sauce, cheese, meats, or vegetables.
5. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top.

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amazing-whole-wheat-pizza-crust/

Banana Bread

I'm playing catch-up. I have been flying all over this lovely country and trying to cram in my own meals as much as possible. Before i left to Miami one morning i really wanted to make some Banana Bread for my friends. I noshed on some cereal to stop myself from eating all of the batter. 

 You can do anything with wheaties. I added almond milk and blueberries. Yes, healthy. 

I mashed up some bananas, added some whole wheat flour, baking soda, vanilla, cinnamon, and a little sugar and bam... Sliced it up and put it in these cute little containers i found at target. Such a cute treat. 

Can you see the heart in the batter? 

This is the best Banana Bread Recipe I have come across. It's called, "Banana Banana Bread" due to it's extreme banana flavor. I have used this recipe from 'All Recipes' plenty of times but this time, I 'healthified' it by using half wheat flour, half white flour, halving the sugar, and adding 1 tsp of cinnamon and vanilla. At the end of the day it's still Banana Bread so if you want to go for the original recipe... i don't fault you. 

Banana Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Find the original recipe and comments at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-banana-bread/