One of the things you learn after almost 36 years of marriage is the delicate ballet of who-does-what. The dance has changed with Charlotte and me over the years, but the one thing that's been a constant is that Friday and Sunday night dinners are my territory.
That doesn't mean I channel my inner Bobby Flay (couldn't even if I tried) but it does mean I'm responsible for the meal. Charlotte's OK with me calling our favorite neighborhood pizza guys iFratelli or taking her out to a neighborhood restaurant. But, when I don't choose either of those options, I fall back on the handful of tried-and-true recipes that we love.
We love pizza, so I came up with this recipe during the early days of our marriage. We liked it back then because all you really need to pull it off is English muffins, pizza sauce and provolone cheese.
Over the years I've tweaked it, spiced it up and perfected it into the recipe below. Yes, it is spicy, but it doesn't have to be. If you don't want it "Texas style" then pardner, just omit the jalapenos and green chilies. We'll keep it our little secret, OK?
Easy English Muffin Pizza
Ingredients
1 package plain English muffins (6 in package)
1, 14 oz. jar of Pizza Sauce (Ragu or Bertolli)
1, 4.5 oz. can diced green chilies
1, 6 oz. package of sliced pepperoni
1, 8 oz. package of sliced provolone cheese
1 dozen cherry tomatoes
1 jalapeno pepper
Wish Bone Salad Spritzers - Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
Garlic bread seasoning
Italian seasoning
Shredded parmesan cheese
Preparation
Split the English muffins in half and place open-side-up on a greased cookie sheet.
Spray each English muffin with 2-3 squirts from the Wish Bone Salad Spritzers Italian Dressing.
Sprinkle each English muffin with garlic bread seasoning and Italian seasoning, then top with shredded parmesan cheese.
Bake English muffins at 450 degrees for 10 minutes; Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Put 2 tbs. of pizza sauce on each English muffin.
Put a half-tsp. of chopped green chilies on each English muffin. Note: Delete this ingredient if you don't like spicy food.
Cover each English muffin with provolone cheese and top with pepperoni, sliced jalapenos and sliced cherry tomatoes to taste. Note: If you don't want the HEAT, delete the jalapenos.
Place uncovered English muffins in oven; Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until cheese begins to bubble and turn brown.
Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve.
Yield: 1 dozen mini pizzas (each pizza is one-half of an English muffin)
Related
Super Satisfying Chicken Spaghetti
Comforting Chicken & Rice Casserole
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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