Fennel and Hot Dog Pizza

Chopped! Style Fennel and Hot Dog Pizza

This crazy pizza was something I created for a Chopped! themed party. The "basket ingredients" were fennel bulbs, hot dogs, eggs, and honey. This recipe made 8 pizzas.

• 4 hot dogs
• 1 fennel bulb, greens removed
• 2 tsp sage
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• gouda cheese
• honey
• 8 eggs
• 8 gluten free pizza crusts

Chop hot dogs and fennel bulbs in a food processor. Place mixture in a large skillet and add sage and fennel seeds and heat through. Place 1/3 cup of the mixture on each pizza crust. Drizzle honey over each pizza, then cover them with shredded gouda. Bake each pizza 6-8 minutes until cheese melts. Carefully separate the eggs and place only the yolk, one on each pizza. Bake an additional 5 minutes. Let them rest about 5 minutes, and then cut through each one, spreading the runny yolks.

Gyro Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

Gyro Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1/4 cup Feta cheese
• 1 Tbsp Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 400° and line a rimmed baking dish with foil and coat with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Divide the mixture into four sections and each of the sections into four meatballs. Place the balls on the baking dish and bake for 14-16 minutes. 

For the sauce:

• 2 cups full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large cucumber, seeded and grated (about 1 cup)
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1-2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Stir ingredients together until combined. Adjust seasoning as needed. Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to two days. Be sure to seed the cucumber to keep the moisture content down, straining it if needed.

White Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

White Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

• 1 box Rice Krispies (or generic equivalent)
• 2 bags mini marshmallows
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 bag white chocolate chips, divided

Generously grease a 9x13 pan with additional butter or nonstick spray. Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mini marshmallows and slowly stir with a large spatula. Add 2/3 of the bag of white chocolate chips and continue stirring until marshmallows are melted. Slowly add the cereal and stir until all of it is covered. Pour the mixture into the greased pan. Flatten with spatula. Melt the remaining 1/3 of the chocolate chips by microwaving in 30 second intervals until it's smooth. Pipe or drizzle the chocolate over the top of the treats. Let it harden before cutting the treats into squares.

Pork Carnitas

Pork Carnitas (adapted from this recipe)

• 2 lb pork shoulder blade roast
• 6 cloves garlic, cut into slivers
• cumin
• adobo seasoning
• garlic powder
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

Season pork with salt and pepper. In a medium sauté pan on medium-high heat,brown pork on all sides for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Using a sharp knife, insert blade into pork, cutting small holes and insert garlic slivers. Season pork generously with cumin, adobo and garlic powder all over.

Pour chicken broth in the crockpot, add chipotle peppers. Place pork in crock pot and cover. Cook low for 8 hours. After 8 hours, shred pork using two forks and combine well with the juices that accumulated at the bottom. Adjust salt and cumin (you will probably need to add more). Let it cook another 15-30 minutes.

After pork is shredded, it can be added to tacos. I used corn tortillas and added sour cream, shredded Mexican cheese, salsa, shredded lettuce, and avocado.

Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia and Parmesan Truffle Fries

Baked Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia and Parmesan Truffle Fries

For the fish:

• 4-6 tilapia fillets (about 1 lb)
• 1 cup ground cornmeal
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs

Preheat oven to 425°. Clean and rinse the tilapia. Combine the cornmeal, paprika, and Parmesan in a wide, shallow dish. Whisk the eggs together in a separate bowl. Season each tilapia fillet. Dip each in the eggs, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture. Place fish on a greased, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until fish easily flakes with a fork.

For the fries:

• Frozen shoestring fries
• Truffle oil
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle truffle oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread fries across the sheet, then drizzle oil on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake according to package directions.

Tater Tot Casserole

 Tater Tot Casserole

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 Tbsp light sour cream
• 32 oz bag tater tots

Preheat oven to 350°. Brown ground turkey with onions and garlic. In a large bowl, mix together soup, 1 cup cheese, milk, and sour cream. Add meat mixture and mix well. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, cover with a layer of tater tots, then the remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

Harvest Salad with Pumpkin Vinaigrette

Harvest Salad

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 2 large eggs, boiled and chopped
• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 pear, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup feta cheese

Toss salad together and serve with pumpkin vinaigrette.

Pumpkin Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup thick balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• salt and pepper to taste

Mix in a blender or food processor.