There's nothing better than hot dogs, corn on the cob, and watermelon for the Fourth. But if you're in search of an adventure and a more creative way to celebrate, might I suggest scoping out the country's regional food scene? Whether you're in Cincinnati or Central Texas, the United States of America is a veritable chest of gastronomic treasures just waiting to be discovered. A few of my favorite local specialties are right this way.
Next week Barack Obama will make history when he is sworn in as president. Naturally, this momentous occasion deserves a party! The ceremony takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:30 a.m. EST. Since most people will be working, I've decided to host my party the Sunday before. HBO is airing a special live program, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, to kick off the festivities, and I've invited my friends over to watch it with me. While my election night menu featured patriotic dishes, this party will highlight dishes from Barack Obama's old hometown, Chicago.
For appetizers offer guests Garrett Gourmet Popcorn, flown in fresh from the Windy City. Make mini Italian beef sandwiches topped with giardiniera peppers. For the main course, serve two nontraditional (they're square shaped — no special circular pans necessary) deep dish pizzas. A pepperoni, onion, and mushroom pie is perfectly hearty while a spinach-artichoke pizza will satiate the vegetarians in attendance. To check out these tantalizing recipes, read more
I was surprised that several of you have never tasted deep-dish pizza, so I found this shortcut recipe to share. Although it's simple enough to make at the end of the week, it's delicious and filling. The traditional heavy tomato sauce is replaced with a mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, radicchio, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. If you dislike this combination of toppings, get creative: Italian sausage and garlic, or pancetta and mushrooms would be scrumptious.
To learn the technique, read more
You got to hand it to Rachael Ray, she is one clever lady. I would never have thought of stuffing portobello mushrooms with leftover deep dish pizza, but it sure is a great idea. Cubed pizza is tossed with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and cheese. This mixture is then stuffed into the thick caps of mushrooms, making for a scrumptious meal. While it may not be the most FitSugar friendly dinner, it sure is an ingenious way to use leftover pizza! To look at the recipe, read more
Deep dish pizza is an excellent, non-traditional Sunday dinner. It's perfect for filling a crowd, and watching the Oscars. Making pizza is also a great way to get the family together. Rolling out the dough is always more fun when loved ones help. Start to make the pizza in the morning because the dough has to rest for four hours.
To take a look at this delicious deep dish pizza — say that five times fast! — read more
