Pizza Made Two New Ways

Making a good crust can be one of the most daunting aspects of a good pizza. While most students probably call up Pizza Pipeline or Woodstocks when they crave pizza, there are also easy alternatives that are healthier and can be made at home without having to touch flour or a rolling pin.


The first pizza crust is simply made with pita bread. By choosing either a whole wheat or hearty pocket bread as the base of the pizza, the nutritional value is much greater and it is also really easy to top with your favorite cheese, meats and vegetables and pop under the broiler. For a more sophisticated pita pizza, try Cooking Cache’s recipe with shallots, broccoli, goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

According to an article in The Telegraph, puff pastry can be used “in a recipe in place of any other pastry or even pizza dough. A disc of puff pastry can turn leftover slow-cooked meat into a pie.” Puff pastry comes frozen at the grocery store and can be thawed, cut into four squares and topped with a layer of pesto or red sauce and your favorite pizza toppings. Generally thought of as dessert dough, puff pastry makes pizza more sophisticated and delicious.

Recently, I made a puff pastry pizza with a layer of pesto topped with gruyere cheese, sauted shallots and mushrooms with dill, grilled chicken and more cheese on top. Baking for only 25 minutes at 375 degrees, they came out of the oven bubbly and delicious. They are a simple, easy to eat recipe that can be made in so many different ways.


I know my roommates enjoyed these simple puff pastry pizzas, so next time you and your friends think about getting pizza delivered, stop and think if you have anything in the fridge that would make great pizza toppings on either pita bread or puff pastry.

Brussels Sprouts: Most Hated to Most Delicious

An important component to every college student’s diet that is often neglected is vegetables. How to incorporate them into meals, how to make them taste good or when to find time to cook or chop them are all common reasons why the lack of greens can be a problem. Eating vegetables can become easier if you are willing to branch out and try new methods of cooking classics like Brussels sprouts.

Most people think of those overcooked, mushy and overall unflavorful side dishes that their mom used to make them eat as a child at dinner. Recently, Brussels sprouts have become something much more than this, which make them tastier and more appealing to everyone. According to World’s Healthiest Foods, a balanced diet should “include cruciferous vegetables 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups.” Common cruciferous vegetables include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and kale.

Why are Brussels sprouts beneficial to your health? According to World’s Healthiest foods, there are a number of reasons, including: cholesterol lowering benefits, DNA protection, cancer protection and a higher level of glucosinolate than most other cruciferous vegetables.


An easy and delicious way to cook Brussels sprouts is by simply sautéing them in a pan with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. An even easier method, but takes longer, is roasting the vegetable after halving or quartering (make sure to also remove the outer leaves). If you are looking for a way to spice up these classic cooking methods, add some lemon and almonds for a tasty side dish alongside your favorite grain or protein.

My favorite use of this healthful vegetable is Brussels sprouts gratin. With just a little heavy cream, white cheddar and bread crumbs, this dish is both tasty and easy to make. If you are skeptical about whether or not you will like Brussels sprouts, I would try this recipe first because it is sure to get you hooked.

Finding time to incorporate vegetables into your diet may be challenging, but after you have tried these Brussels sprouts recipes, it will be well worth it.

Valentine's Day to Remember

A day that brings a lot of stress and anxiety to most men and women can now be seen as a fun day to relax, make some fun treats and be with friends. Whether you are planning to spend the day with that special someone or just have a sweet tooth and can’t resist a heart shaped goodie, Valentine’s Day is sure to put a smile on your face this year.



If you plan on hosting a Valentine’s Day party or baking some treats to give to all of your friends, the 14th will definitely be a day of hearts. If you are a big DIY kind of person, try these delicious recipes from Martha Stewart. If you like to keep things simple, try the versatile sugar cookie dough recipe from Food Network that can be decorated and made five different ways.

Not wanting to spend the afternoon in the kitchen? You might not have as much fun, but there are great treats out there for purchasing. Real Simple made a list of 5 Sweet Gift Idea’s for Valentine’s Day, including everything from Prince Charming cookies to Heart S’Mores.

Even though Valentine’s Day is still 5 days away, I decided to utilize my new heart shaped cookie cutter and sprinkles to create some cookies to give to my friends. Using basic cookie dough from the store, I added flare to these cookies by making my own frosting and decorating them with multi colored, heart shaped sprinkles. Want the secret to a delicious frosting? All you need is: ¼ stick butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, splash of vanilla extract, pinch of salt and milk to get the consistency you desire. This will make any cookie taste delicious, even if you forgot and leave them in the oven for too long. Here is how mine turned out: