Craving The Crispy

Comfort food alert...I've just witnessed the demolition of my beloved.....church, that is. Even though I'd avoided the more emotional onlookers, I was surprised to feel slightly ill, discontented with the reality that was long overdue.

Why, just this morning at home my thoughts about the whole "new church thing"were somewhat negative. I wondered if it was really necessary or was it a case of " keeping up with the Jones's", so to speak. This idea was affirmed by a fellow member just following the steeple's demise. I was astonished to see a nearby neighbour to my church tearing up at the sight; considering she had no affiliation with it. A little piece of Smithville history. Sorry, no photos to prove it ; my camera wasn't in my purse, because I had no idea today was the "big day".

Well, its too late for regrets; so moving forward. I have no doubt , it will be a sight for sore eyes once the new foundation is laid.

As a Gr. 7 class Mom, I marked the usual spelling and vocab, then helped roll some change for Mission and ended up at home with an appetite for something crispy. Chips are not my thing but

I do love... what I like to call a "Pizza Tortilla". Don't ask me how many calories because frankly, I don't care . I do have a preference for hot , crispy right from the pan-tortillas, but they taste decently good cold, too. It makes a great lunch alternative to bread for the kids, too.

I've been making these for so long, I'm sad to say the original source escapes me, but thanks to whoever you are. One of my favourite lunches; easy, tasty, crispy and yummy.

Recipe follows:

Flour tortillas (2 -20+)

Pasta sauce or salsa

Shredded cheese(mozzarella,parmesan,cheddar...)

Toppings (opt.)e.g. chicken,basil,tomatoes,olives...

Sour cream

Take one tortilla and spread with about 2 tbsp sauce or salsa, no need to measure just eyeball it; careful not to go right to the edges. Then top with cheese of any kind and anything else that appeals to your "comfort zone."( cheese + sauce alone is good)

Lay this in a non-stick pan and heat at medium till the cheese starts to melt. Top with another tortilla (undressed) and flip, being careful not to spill the filling. Brown about 2 more minutes till nice and crispy, not burnt. Yes I've done that before! Stay with it, it only takes 2-5 minutes per pizza tortilla. Repeat , if you like.

Use a pizza cutter to divide into 2 or 4 pieces and eat right away to get that crispy goodness.You can serve with sour cream if desired.

Refrigerate uneaten tortillas and stash them in the kids lunches.

It seems silly to pass on this simple lunch idea.... but hopefully there's someone out there who's never heard of the "pizza tortilla". I used to be just that person, may moons ago.

Bon appetit!

Comfort food

Creamy garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, mushroom risotto, chicken soup, hot milk with honey,vanilla & cinnamon, rice pudding , warm homemade bread slathered with butter, chocolate cake, and the list goes on...
I'm a definite comfort craving, scent seeking, taste savouring, self proclaimed food critic; my own worst enemy at times. Take an average Saturday night for example; I spent the bulk of my day shopping with my three favourite girls only to return home to a rushed dinner hour. Pressure usually produces good results and the thai inspired dish proves itself. That was until after dinner...
I decide to bake a coffee cake for possible Sunday company, a traditional thing to do. I read the recipe through and assemble all the ingredients.
I proceed to combine the flour and sugar, cutting in the butter, still fully confident in my abilities until I realize I'd just created streusel not the cake batter intended. The usual; why am i baking at this hour,i love cooking and other unmentionables come to mind. Problem solving

prevails....and i turn to the internet for inspiration. Could I make a pie or some lemony square? I really,really want chocolate cake, though. My inner frugal solution:I salvage some of the butter to create a new streusel. I cream new "unmeasured" butter with sugar, eggs and vanilla.( who cares at this point) I add cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt to my flour mistake willing the magic in baking powder to do its thing.Next the recipe reads to stir dry ingredients into butter mixture alternating with sour cream. I don't remember reading that! Why did i pick this recipe?...idea of comforting chocolate cake overriding all rational thought . I proceed to blending, sort of alternating, but not really. Where are my guinea pig kids when i need a taste tester? Okay, so its in the pan and the streusel concoction is sprinkled. Lets hope the cake is edible!

The real recipe:

• 1/2 cup butter,softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup sour cream

Streusel:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup pecans,toasted

Stir together sugar and flour; cut in butter till crumbly. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Set aside.

Batter: Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.Blend in vanilla.
Stir flour, baking powder,soda and salt together in a new bowl. add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream ending with dry ingredients. Spread batter in a 9" springform pan. sprinkle with streusel and bake at 350' for 1 hr +10 min.

(original recipe found at Allrecipes.com)