Amy's Tomatoe & Basil Pizza

· 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal

· 2 (8-ounce) pieces of homemade or purchased pizza dough, recipe follows

· 6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

· 1 1/3 cups, grated pasteurized mozzarella

· 2 Roma tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

· 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

· 1 large garlic clove, minced, optional

· 6 fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and divide into 2 equal balls. (The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.)

Position 1 oven rack in the center and the second rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Sprinkle the cornmeal over 2 rimless baking sheets. Roll out each piece of pizza dough into a 10 to 11-inch-diameter round. Transfer 1 dough to each prepared baking sheet.

Drizzle 2 teaspoons of oil over each pizza dough. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the pizza dough, dividing equaling and leaving a 1-inch border around each pizza. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer over the cheese. Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Arrange basil leaves on top, drizzle with a little more olive oil and sprinkle garlic all over. Bake the pizzas until the crusts are crisp and brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted on top, about 15 minutes. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil over each pizza. Sprinkle with basil for garnish and salt. Cut the pizza into wedges and serve immediately.

Pizza Dough:

· 1/2 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)

· 2 teaspoons dry yeast

· 2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 3 tablespoons olive oil

Delicious Strawberry Cake From Scratch

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BIG BROTHER

Derald and me with his delicious cake I made! (see recipe below)

Happy Birthday D!! I love you!!

mmmmmmmm......

Homemade

Strawberry Cake

Ingredients:

Nonstick vegetable spray

3 cups flour

2 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cup smashed strawberries

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon zest

4 large eggs, beaten

red food coloring**

Directions for cake:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray and flour three round cake pans, tapping out excess flour; set aside.

Prepare the cake batter; in a large bowl, stir to combine flour, sugar, oil, pureed strawberries, vanilla, lemon zest, and eggs.

Divide between the three pans, Bake, rotating the pans halfway through. Bake 26-28 min.

Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Invert cakes, then re-invert cakes and let them cool completely, top sides up.

Make cream cheese frosting (recipe below)

Cream Cheese Frosting

(This frosting is the best part I think!)

1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softenened

1 tsp. vanilla

~ 3 cups powdered sugar

1 TBL milk (if needed)

Directions for Frosting:

Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Slowly add the sugar in 1 cup batches until desired sweetness is achieved. You may need less than 3 cups if you like your frosting less sweet. Stir in vanilla. Add milk if you feel like you need it...I don't like it runny so I don't use it Add red food coloring to make it a pretty pink color! Once the cakes are cool, frost in between each layer, and stack them. Then frost the outside all over.

The TASTY finished product! I was actually surprised how much everyone liked it! It was sweet enough, but not too sweet to enjoy a nice big piece. I love it because I hate making things not from scratch, and this was completely from scratch! It is definitely a recipe I will find any occasion to make again!

The Los Hermanos dinner party crew

A b-day tribute in pics, to my big brother...

DERALD MARTIN'