Mami's Semi Homemade Pizza

My friend Nat and Melissa makes awesome homemade pizza so I was inspired to make my own "semi" home made version.  I say "semi" home-made because I didn't make the dough or crust from scratch.

We are huge fans of the Market Basket frozen supreme pizza and that is a staple in our household.  Recently the price seems to keep going up.  Before it was 3/$10.00 and now its a big deal if its 3/$11.00.  I guess you can say everything is going up but I believe Market Basket's prices are still competitive.

I bought a premade pizza crust that was 2.99 and had a 2.00 coupon and ended up paying only 1.00 at Market Basket.  I also bough the premade garlic Naan indian bread for an additional crust.  Originally, I wanted to grill the pizza but the Mo went golfing and it was too dark out for me to experiment the grilled pizza since it was beyond 8 o clock and I had a few glasses of wine in me.



Pizza 1
Store bought crust
Hunts Spaghetti Sauce
Red Onion
Jalapeno
Spicy Sausage, cooked and slice
Store bought sliced pepperoni
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Sliced Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers

Pizza 2 and 3
Naan Garlic bread

Hunts Spaghetti Sauce
Grilled chicken
canned corn kernels, drained
Grape Tomatos
Feta Cheese (I got the flavored tomato and basil)
Fresh minced garlic
Fresh Mozzarella, sliced


The difference between pizza 2 and 3 is that 3 has jalapenos

** I add a packet of splenda in the tomato sauce for an extra sweetness similiar to Espresso's Pizza sauce in Lowell. That is our favorite pizza shop in the area as they are known for their special sauce.

You really don't have to get the fresh mozzarella or the fresh feta cheese. I just really like the creaminess of the fresh mozzarella.  The feta cheese adds a bit of texture and saltiness to the pizza that adds a nice contrasts with the sweet corn.

Feta cheese, Shredded Mozzarella and Fresh Mozzarella

 Pizza 1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place premade crust on pizza pan and generally pour sauce to cover crust. Try to get as close to the edge as possible.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and add preferred toppings generously.

 After 12 minutes, remove pizza from oven and let it cool for 2 minutes. Slice pizza and serve with crushed red peppers and fresh parm.

Pizza 2 & 3
Place both naan breads on a pizza dish.  The naan bread is available in a few different varieties including plain, garlic and wheat.

Add Sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese and load it up with your favorite toppings or my suggested toppings.

Since the crust is thinner than the store bought pizza crust, check on the naan pizzas in 8 minutes.  I like to broil it on medium for 2 additional minutes to give it a nice crisp.

Enjoy!

You can't have pizza without wings! So I served then with my favorite BBQ wings.

Seasoned with Sazon seasoning

Tossed in a honey bbq sauce and served with blue cheese.

Cambodian Tomato Salad

Growing up, tomato salad was a regular side dish that was served with whole Tilapia or catfish.  It is something so easy to make yet so delicious.  Another similar side dish would be mango salad that is also served with the same foods.  The flavors of the salad pairs well with the bland fish. 

Those who aren't familiar with the potent smell and flavor of fish sauce may take some time to get accustomed.

 These plump colorful tomatoes caught my eye at the local Market Basket.  I bought an assortment of yellow, orange tomatoes along with small red roma tomatoes.

Recipe:
Assortment of Tomatoes (Doesn't have to be colorful, red is fine)
1 clove of garlic
1/4 cup of  "3 Crabs" fish sauce
2 jalapenos
3 chili peppers
2 scallions
1 small red onion
handful of cilantro leaves

First, wash the tomatoes and pour table salt on them.  Leave it in a colander or strainer over a bowl.  I got this idea from a the cooking channel. This helps release excess water from the tomatoes which makes them more tasty.  Set aside for 15 minutes.

Julienne three chili peppers.  I store my chili peppers in the freezer since I can never use them quick enough before they spoil.  Frozen peppers are just as good as fresh peppers.  There is still spice in every bite.    Slice diagonally up 2 fresh jalapenos.  Mince one clove of garlic. Slice up the small red onion into thin strips.

Measure 1/4 cup of fish sauce.  Fish sauce is available in every Asian grocery store and most grocery stores in Lowell.  Please note that there are different flavors with varying pungency.  I prefer using the "three crab" brand since it has the least fishy flavor.

 Combine the fish sauce and the peppers, onions and chilis and mix them in a bowl.  Gently mash the chili peppers and jalapenos to release oil.

Cut up the cilantro and scallions in large sections. Set aside for garnish.

Wash the salt from the tomatoes.  Cut up all the tomatoes in large chunks.  I prefer wedges but you can slice them up in rounds or thin half moon shapes.  This is based on your preference.

 Combine all the ingredients together and add a dash of black pepper and sea salt.

 Gently toss the tomatoes and the mixtures.  Be careful not to squash the tomatoes.

 Serve with fish or chicken.  I grilled up some chicken thighs and white jasmine rice.

Enjoy!!