leek and potato pizza (with goat cheese)

leek_potato_pizza_goat_cheese_1We are going to keep this short and sweet because there is a dining room full of unfinished costumes and a hot glue gun calling my name.

This pizza, it’s good.  Leeks, need to be in your life.  Goat Cheese,  if you don’t like it try it again.  If you still don’t like it try it one more time.  After that if you are still a hater I am sorry but we can’t be friends…(Okay, I’ll forgive if it’s an allergy thing.)

leek_potato_pizza_goat_cheese_2I watch tv while I nurse.  Hey, at least I don’t “brext”.  (That’s texting and breastfeeding and yes, of course I do that too.)  So basically when I am not staring at my amazing little man forming a bond only he and I can form while breastfeeding, I do indeed watch a little television.  To be specific the Food Network.  One Saturday morning Ree, aka Pioneer Woman, was making leek and potato pizza.  She claimed it to be her absolute favorite and a dish she consumes almost weekly.  I thought “what is so special about leeks and potatoes” and then she put goat cheese on top.  Okay Ree, I am totally with you now.

leek_potato_pizza_goat_cheese_3 leek_potato_pizza_goat_cheese_4We had this for lunch and it was nothing short of amazing.  It’s like leek and potato soup except toastier and with warm tangy goat cheese laced throughout.  Every bite says “thank you ingredients for existing so you can be eaten together.”  Jettie only ate the crust so no promises on the kids liking it but I guaranty you will.

Now where’s my glue gun…

brandyjsig

 

 

leek and potato pizza (with goat cheese)
 
Ingredients
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 2 leeks, rinsed well to remove grit and thinly sliced
  • 1 pizza crust (homemade or store bought - follow baking instructions if store bought)
  • 2 medium red potatoes, sliced paper thin with a mandoline or sharp knife
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil.
  2. Roll pizza dough into a rectangle and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Place potatoes in single layer on top and sprinkle with a little salt. Lay mozzarella in single layer on top of potatoes. Arrange the leeks on top of the cheese. Crumble goat cheese over leeks and finish with grated Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly, 17 minutes for my dough. Cut into squares and serve immediately.

recipe adapted from pioneer woman

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the best snack mixes

T-minus 3 days until our local Trick-or-Treat!  A few years back we started a tradition of celebrating Halloween together with the Rammels and it is truly a tradition we cherish.  It kicks off our holiday season, and rain or shine we have so much fun dressing up and taking part in the festivities.  I won’t spoil the surprise, but like always there is lots of crafting involved so this week involves more spray paint and Elmers glue than usual.

For Locke’s one month birthday I made this sweet and salty puppy chow– and two weeks later I am still munching on the leftovers (I made a double batch and it may have been overkill, but that’s okay!)  The bottom of the bowl is finally visible, so late at night when I am rocking my newborn and not sleeping I am pinning puppy chow and snack mix recipes because I’m slightly addicted.

Here is a roundup of some great finds, perfect for a Halloween bash or just a busy week of crafting!

halloween_snack_mixes_2014

1. Pumpkin Snack Mix   2. Halloween Puppy Chow  3. Sweet and Salty Chex Mix   4. Halloween Chex Mix   5. Halloween Party Popcorn   6. Dressed Up Caramel Corn

Happy snacking (and crafting!),

shansig

 

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do we dare halloween makeup

Yes, another Halloween centered post but this time we are talking makeup.  The past few years our costumes had very little to do with the “made-up” face and more to do with the costume.  In fact this year’s official Rammel/Maxey group costume will follow the same pattern.  But lucky for us our local art center is having a “mad scientist” themed event.  And even luckier for us our trick-or-treat happens the Saturday before Halloween so the 31st is all ours to partake in.  We have decided that our group costumes will more than likely not work for a mad scientist soiree (you will understand once you see them).  Instead we are wearing items we already own and going crazy with the makeup.  Here are a few we can’t take our eyes off of:

halloween_makeup_2014Day of the Dead/Icy Cheshire Cat/Ventriloquist Doll/Villian/Cracked Doll/Made-up Mask

Don’t forget to tag #ppjhalloween – we want to see all of your costume (and makeup) fun!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

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shake it off costumes

taylor_swift_shake_it_off_costumesIt is no secret that we love Halloween with the costume part being our absolute favorite.  Every year we brainstorm over what would make a fantastic group ensemble for our two families.  While this “Shake It Off”  inspired idea (from the Taylor Swift video) did not make the cut, I still just had to share.  The concept is very now and for the most part the looks are easy to pull off.  This would be perfect for  a group of college girls or neighborhood moms (a man version would be hilarious as well).  If you do not have your costume decided yet why not be a Taylor?  All you need are a few key pieces and some other “Taylor” friends:

taylor_swift_ballerina_shake_it_off_costume_1leotard/headband/feathers (pin feathers into hair and/or hot glue on leotard for detail)/ballet slippers

taylor_swift_gangster_shake_it_off_costume_1leopard jacket/acid wash cut offs/hoop earrings/chain necklace/knee pads/chain bracelet/cuff bracelet/high tops

taylor_swift_gold_outfit_shake_it_off_costume_3gold pants/gold jacket/shield shades/gold slip ons

taylor_swift_grey_outfit_shake_it_off_costume_4leotard/shorts/slippers (she is not wearing shoes but I think you may need some)

taylor_swift_cheerleader_shake_it_off_costume_5crop top/skirt/yellow tape/blue tape (use an x acto knife to make details on her uniform)/poms/shoes

taylor_swift_beatbox_shake_it_off_costume_6tee shirt/bomber jacket/white tape (for detailing cap)/faux leather cap/leather pants/leather sneakers (If you create an old bomb box to carry around that would be nothing short of genius.)

taylor_swift_black_outfit_shake_it_off_costume_6microphone/sweater/pants/shoes

Whether you’re a Taylor or not we want to see your Halloween costumes.  Tag #PPJHalloween to be sure we do not miss it!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

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monster munch

monster_munch_1Do you love or hate candy corn?  I always had a “like” relationship with the seasonal candy.  At first I like it but after a couple of pieces my stomach turns and the desire to eat anymore diminishes.  It is pure sugar and food coloring after all – why on earth would that make my insides feel yucky?  Not one to give up so easily I decided to give this mix a whirl. It’s candy corn mixed with salty peanuts, popcorn, Reese’s Pieces and coated in white chocolate.  Sounds fabulous. And much to my delight it is.

monster_munch_2 monster_munch_3This would make a fantastic treat for friends and/or coworkers.  Simply place in cellophane bag and secure with ribbon.

monster_munch_4If you are on the fence about candy corn but love yourself a sweet and salty snack this just may sway you to the “love” side.  I know it did me.  (Peeps on the other hand.  No, never.)

Enjoy something you love this weekend!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

monster munch
 
Ingredients
  • ½ lb almond bark
  • 8 to 10 cups of popped popcorn
  • ½ candy corn
  • ¾ cup dry roasted, salted peanuts
  • ½ cup Reese's Pieces
Instructions
  1. Place popped popcorn, candy corn, peanuts and Reese's Pieces in the largest bowl you own.
  2. Melt almond bark according to package directions.
  3. Pour melted bark over popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated.
  4. Spread mixture on parchment or foil and allow to setup.
  5. Break into pieces and devour.

recipe from Plain Chicken

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