Arugula Pizza

Okay, lets face it, every one loves a good pizza and this one is favored by many of my family and friends. Often times I want pizza and then I think to myself...*ugh, but pizza is so fattening* or *ugh I don't feel like picking up a pizza.* Fear not friends because this pizza is not only healthy, but you can make it at home by yourself! By the way...I was never a fan of arugula until I made this pizza and now I even use arugula for my salad instead of lettuce. 

You will need:

1. Pre-made flat bread crust (you can find these at Publix by the bakery)

2. A bag of arugula (I get mine from Costco because I think it tastes more fresh than Publix but everyone is different)

3. 1 cup of sun dried tomatoes drained (Kirkland brand from Costco)

4. 4 cloves of fresh garlic (Kirkland brand garlic from Costco)

5. 2 tablespoon of McCormick Italian seasoning

6. 1 bag of 6 cheese Italian shredded cheese from Publix 

7. Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese from Publix(whichever you prefer)

8. 1 cup of caramelized onions (Grab a red onion from the produce section of Publix)

9. 1 can of artichoke hearts drained (Kirkland brand from Costco)

Directions:

1. Put flat bread on to a baking sheet and brush the flat bread with olive oil

2. Sprinkle the flat bread with 

3. Sprinkle your Parmesan or Romano cheese along with the bag of 6 cheese Italian 

4. Caramelize your onions in a pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper, saute until they are tender, then add them on to the flat bread

5. Layer the arugula evenly on to the flat bread

6. Add the can of sun dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts and evenly spread them throughout the flat bread

7. Sprinkle additional Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top

8. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 18-20 min or until cheese in melted and golden 

9. ENJOY!

Potato Circles

Potatoes have and always will be one of my favorite foods. I love to make lots of things with potatoes but one of my all time favorites are potato skins. In Orlando, FL there is a restaurant called Graffiti Junktion and they serve the best potato skins. For their recipe, they just cut the potato in half and put all of the toppings inside. I decided that I wanted to switch it up and cut the potatoes in to slices and put the ingredients on top. Not only does doing it this way make them easier to eat, but it gives you a bigger portion to serve. 

You will need:

1. A package of Publix Potatoes (they come in a pack of 4) 

2. A bag of Publix brand shredded cheddar cheese (I get the bigger bag because I am a cheese lover)

3. A package of Publix bacon bits (can be found in the salad dressing isle)

4. A package of pre-chopped chives from Publix (can be found in the produce section)

5. A tub of publix sour cream

6. 1 package of hidden valley ranch powder

7. Olive oil, salt, and pepper 

Directions:

1. Take the potatoes out of their packaging and wash each one thoroughly

2. Put the potato circles on to a baking sheet

3. Chop the potatoes in to about 1-2 inch circles

4. Dab each circle with some olive oil

5. Add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese to each potato circle

6. Add a sprinkle of bacon bits to each potato circle

7. Add some of the chopped chives on top off each potato circle

8. Pop the potato skins in to the oven at 350 degrees for about 25 min or until cheese is bubbling

9. Get the sour cream tub out and add the packet of hidden valley ranch dip to the tub and stir it around (this will be the dip you serve them with but adding the ranch packet is completely optional)

10. ENJOY!

Pepperoni Puffs

Pepperoni Puffs are something that my aunt makes religiously for family gatherings and holidays. People of all ages love them and they're an appetizer that is sure to fill your appetite. I've made them myself and served them to my friends and they all absolutely love them. There are are very little ingredients so they are easy to make, and they never disappoint! 

You will need:

1. A package of Pillsbury crescent rolls (depending on the crowd, you may need more than one pack because only 8 come in a pack)
2. Publix large pepperoni (which you can get in the deli section)
3. Sliced provolone sandwich cheese either packaged Publix brand or from the deli (you can replace the provolone with another cheese if you wish)
4. A can of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, whichever you prefer (Publix brand)
5. Italian seasoning and garlic powder (McCormick brand)
6. Olive oil to dab the crescent rolls with

Directions:

1. Open the package of crescent rolls and lay them on to a baking sheet or oven safe dish
2. Dab the bottom of each roll with some olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder (spice to your liking)
3. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on them
4. Add 2 pieces of pepperoni (or however many slices you want) to each roll
5. Cut the provolone slices in to halves and add a half of a piece of provolone to each roll (a whole piece won't fit in a roll)
6. Roll them all up so they resemble that of a crescent roll
7. Sprinkle some Italian seasoning over the top of them all
8. Bake them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 12-13 min or until you see the cheese bubbling and the crescent rolls browning on top
9. ENJOY!

Bacon (Crack) Dip

Pictured above is my version of bacon dip or what my family likes to call "crack" dip because once you have one bite, you're addicted! This recipe was discovered while having a wine night with my girlfriends one night. I was scrolling through Pinterest and came across this not only easy, but delicious recipe. As I’ve said before, I enjoy making appetizers for gatherings, and this one was a hit! 

You will need:

1. One 16 oz tub of sour cream (Publix brand) 

2. One 8 oz package of cream cheese (I prefer Philadelphia brand)

3. One cup of grated Parmesan cheese (Publix brand)

4. 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion (they have onion pre-chopped in the produce section of Publix)

5. 2 cups of cooked bacon pieces (Publix brand)

6. 2 cups of cheddar, Asiago, or any cheese of choice 

7. 2 tablespoons of garlic pepper (McCormick brand)

Directions: 

1. Mix the sour cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, Asiago, cheddar, or any other cheese you pick in to a bowl

2. Add the garlic powder, chopped onions, and a cup and a half of the bacon bits. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly spread out in the mixture.

3. Move everything in to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining half cup of bacon bits on top. (I like to put a little extra cheese and some Italian seasoning on top as well) 

4. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10-15 min or if you are in a hurry, microwave the dish on power level 7 for about 8 min. 

5. ENJOY!

Antonio's Antipasto Skewers

What I have pictured above are antipasto skewers which happen to be a crowd favorite in my family! For my 19^th birthday we went to a restaurant in my home town, Maitland, FL called Antonio’s. Antonio’s is one of the best Italian restaurants you can go to in Maitland and the best part is that it’s also a market. At Antonio’s you can purchase fresh meats, cheeses, herbs, spices, and more. While we were there, we decided to order the antipasto skewers as an appetizer and my family raved over them, especially my aunt! Shortly after, we decided to ask the waiter what was on the antipasto skewers and where we could get all of the ingredients. He told us that most of the ingredients were fresh from the Antonio’s market, but that we could get many of the things that come on them at Publix or any other grocery store. My family and I were thrilled and ever since then, these skewers have been made by my mom, my aunt and I for every holiday and family gathering known to man. They are super easy to make and the best part is that you can add whatever you want to them!

You will need:
1. One bag of wooden skewers that are about 4 inches long (I myself just go to Publix and get the big bag of them)
2. About 2-3 cans of black olives (whatever brand you prefer, I use Publix)
3. About 2 cans of green olives stuffed with garlic cloves (you can purchase these at Costco)
4. A mixture of Italian meats (I like to use Boar’s Head pepperoni, chorizo, ham, cappicolla, salami, and prosciutto from Publix)
5. 1 tub of Mozzarella balls from Costco (the tub is huge so you will only need one most likely)  

Note: You may put these ingredients in any order you want when you are placing them on the skewers

Special Dressing: My family has a special dressing we like to drizzle over the top of our skewers but this is completely optional!

You will need:

1. About half a cup of olive oil (I use Kirkland brand from Costco)
2. 8 or so cloves of crushed garlic (Costco brand as well)
3. About 1-2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning (I use Publix brand)
4. A tablespoon of Montreal steak seasoning (Publix brand)
5. Last but not least, a dash of red pepper flakes (Publix brand: I use a teaspoon but some people prefer larger or smaller amounts to due to the spiciness)

     *Wisk all of this around in a bowl and then drizzle it evenly over the top of the skewers
6. ENJOY!