$138 - 14 Meal Challenge

I love going to the grocery store! I always try and shop very budget-consciously. My bill is usually around $100 for the week and I typically save at least a 1/3. Today I went grocery shopping and spent $138. I was a little mad at myself....then I realized I had 14 plus meals, as well as paper towels, diapers and other bigger ticket items. It inspired me to blog about it. Stay tuned to see how far I can stretch that dollar over the next 2 weeks!

I try and choose healthy, simple recipes. I can guarantee there will be a cheat meal here and there! However, we all need to keep items on hand to feed hungry mouths quickly!

Whenever I see that Publix has their brand pizzas on sale, I will pick up one or two. For $3.99, you have an easy lunch or dinner. A good idea is to keep a plain, cheese pizza in your freezer. Top it with whatever you have in the fridge. I love pears, goat cheese, and prosciutto. Voila! A quick gourmet pizza that does not break the bank!

Meal #1: Plain cheese pizza topped with whatever ingredients that you have on hand to create your own specialty za!

Ode to Columbia!

I urge you to try this yummy pizza! I found it from a restaurant up in Canada called "Gossip!" I love a good pizza and this sounds dee-lish. If you don't feel like making it at home, I am confident that any of the Brick Oven Pizza places around town will serve it. If you ask nicely!

GOSSIP PIZZA

Toppings include:

Gorgonzola

Oven Dried Onions

Crisp Pancetta

Sweet Balsamic Glaze

Dig in Columbians. You know who you are!

http://www.gossiprestaurant.com/

Vote for Pizza, now that's a candidate I really believe in!

WIS's Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson wants people to go to www.bolla.com/taste and vote for her friend Patrick's Southern Peach 'n' Pulled Pork Pizza. She's has taste-tested it and says it's dee-lish!

http://www.bolla.com/taste

Southern Peach ‘n’ Pulled Pork Pizza

Submitted by Patrick S. of Georgia

Ingredients:

•1 12" prepared pizza crust

•1 (3-4 lb.) pork shoulder roast or Boston butt (or store-bought prepared pulled pork)

•1 cup Vidalia (or other sweet onion), thinly sliced

•1 1/2 cups water

•1 tbsp. olive oil

•1 cup Vidalia (or other sweet onion), chopped

•2 tbsp. jalapeño peppers, chopped

•1 lb. frozen peaches, thawed and chopped

•1/4 cup cider vinegar

•1/3 cup bourbon (optional)

•1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes

•2 1/2 tbsp. honey

•2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

•2 tsp. brown sugar

•1 tsp. chili powder

•1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

•1 tsp. dried oregano

•1 tsp. dried basil

•1 tsp. dry mustard

•Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

•1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

•1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

•1/2 cup Vidalia (or other sweet onion), sliced

If making homemade pulled pork, it should be done a day ahead and kept refrigerated. Place half of the onions in the bottom of a slow cooker. Add pork and water, along with remaining onion slices. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Shred pork with a fork and discard fat. Refrigerate if not used immediately.

Add oil to a medium saucepan and sauté onions and peppers over medium heat until softened, 5-8 minutes. Add peaches, reserving a small portion. Add vinegar and bourbon and simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, honey, mustard, brown sugar and spices. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peaches are very tender, about 30 minutes. Let sauce cool and purée in blender. In a medium saucepan, combine pulled pork and 1 cup of sauce. Heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Top pizza crust with half of the mozzarella and cheddar. Evenly spread the sauce and pork. Add onion and reserved peaches. Top with remaining cheese. Bake pizza in preheated 450F oven for 12-15 minutes, until cheese is melted. Slice and enjoy this Italian classic with a good ol’ southern twist!