Accidentally Edible

Remind me to share with you my recipe for my World Famous Mini-Pizzas! Almost impossible to mess up, and they kept me alive through four years of college!

Very easy. First, take a Thomas' English Muffin (nooks and crannies are a necessity) and split it. Place on a pizza tray or cookie sheet.

Then, take any quality commercial pizza sauce (Pastene is a favorite) and spread one tablespoon over each muffin half.

Next, apply one slice of mozzarella cheese (I prefer the Boar's Head deli brand for this task, as it is tasty and fresh) to each muffin. You may have to fold the cheese and split it depending upon how wide the slice may be. You don't want too much overlapping the muffin and burning on the tray.

Sprinkle some grated cheese (either parmesan or romano will work) and some crushed oregano over each. Some say to add a little olive oil, but I find that it just makes them greasy.

With your oven pre-heated a little, put the mini-pizzas on the top rack and crank up to "broil." Cook for about 3 or 4 minutes and take a quick look. As long as the cheese is just bubbling and hasn't develeped any brown patches, let the pizzas stay in until you get that slight browning of the cheese ... no more than five minutes.

Remove, let cool a little and enjoy. Quick and easy snack that hits the spot and is great for parties!

Note ... this doesn't work quite as well in a microwave because they heat from the inside and don't produce that tasty slightly-burned flavor.

Dear Future Iron Chef Jessica:
I was troubled to hear a report recently that a surprisingl large proportion of our foods now are genetically altered, or were raised with genetically-engineered grains. What I want to know is this: is there any way I can tell by reading the package if it contains any non-natural foods? If I go to an organic food store, is there any guarantee that those foods will be any more natural than the ones I usually buy?

Hi Jess:
Since you're starting up in a new home, and I don't know what's currently in your new yard, there are some things to consider.
While most people are anxious to make their own mark and beautify their new yard, some suggest that you wait a year before doing so to see what blooms throughout the seasons that might have previously been planted and also to gauge what kind of light different parts of your yard, porches, etc. get in different seasons. That will help you determine what you might want to keep of what you've already got (if anything) and what you might want to add (whether foliage, trees, blooms) to certain quarters of your yard.
That being said, if you're pretty sure your yard is clear of plantings, you might first want to consider it as a clean slate and plan your plantings instead of adding a couple of hydrangeas right away.
While hydrangeas are nice and give an old-fashioned feel, there are different kinds and some can grow pretty big! (That could dwarf or otherwise interfere with other uses in your yard or plants you might have planned.)
I suggest that if you would like to splash some color around the yard in this, your first in the house and yard, perhaps going the container route with annuals (blooms for just one season) and in that way, you can move things around and perhaps get a better idea, as summer and fall progress, what you might like to see long-term in your yard. And you can lay out a yard plan. Too sunny or need privacy? You might want to invest in a small tree. Need a fence? Might want to consider a green hedge (of trees or bushes.)
Also, there's the possibility of raised beds that can add some height to a garden. Since you're interested in cooking, raised beds could be a good way to grow some lucious fresh herbs like basil and dill. Vegetable gardens and the such should be in full sun.
All this in response to just one question about hydrangeas! But hopefully, it plants some seeds for thought about what and where you plant things before immediately investing and planting something in the ground, including hydrangeas.
Besides, I know you can tap your creative Mom about thoughts with regards to containers and your father for his green thumb.
Best of luck,
Sue.

Hi Jessica,

I just wanted to send you this link to my blog post. There were discrepancies, but they were fixed late last night or early, early this morning depending on how you look at it. I do not believe anything contained in the post is false.
http://thesunchronicle.ning.com/profiles/blogs/featured-nfl-felon-randy-moss

Thanks for your time! - Vinnie