Salami Snack Loaf

This one is really easy to put together when you have guests, and comes out soooo gooood... (keep in mind that when i say "good", i usually mean "salty":)


I used a ciabatta loaf, but you could use any relatively soft bread.  you don't want it to be too crusty.


Slice loaf lengthwise.


Spread both halves with garlic herb cheese spread.  I use Alouette spreadable cheese, but you could make it yourself by blending softened cream cheese with garlic powder and black pepper.

Layer one side with salami, then layer of shredded mozzarella, another layer of salami, a layer of drained sliced olives, and the final layer of salami.
You can mix it up a bit by using different kinds of salami for each layer, as I did here, or even try hot capicola or ham.

Top with second half of bread.


Place stack on a piece of foil, then pull the sides of the foil up to hold it together.  You want the whole thing to get warmed through and melt the cheese without making the crust too crunchy.  I leave the top open to let the heat in.

Place on baking sheet in 350F oven for 20 minutes.


Slice and serve hot.

I like to serve with condiments: diced pickles, ranch dressing, and marinara sauce.

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Calzone

Calzones are fast and easy to make!



2 Pillsbury Pizza Crust dough (not thin crust)
1 pkg Perdue Short Cuts - original roasted
1/2 c diced ham
1 pkg microwave bacon, cooked crispy
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 c. blue cheese crumbles
16oz shredded mozzarella
Buffalo Chicken Sauce (I use Franks)


Spread one dough on cookie sheet or baking stone.

Layer with chicken, celery and ham.

Splash with sauce, then top with bacon and cheeses.


Stretch second dough over top and crimp edges.

Sprinkle with parsley.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes - it will take a little longer than the package directions because it is thick with cold ingredients.


I use Franks Buffalo sauce because it tastes the way I think buffalo sauce should, but you should use your favorite if you have one...

Even with the cheese and bacon, this version has lower calories than a similar calzone from a restaurant, and lower cost too :)

Antipasto is Awesome!

From wikipedia: Antipasto (plural antipasti) , often spelled and/or pronounced as antipasta (antipasta salad), means "before the meal" and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats and vegetables (both in oil or in vinegar).



It is really just marinated bite-sized meats, cheeses, and veggies, so you could use any that you prefer.  This is what I used:

Stick pepperoni, sliced
Salami, cut into cubes
Smoked gouda, cubed
German butter cheese, cubed
Fresh mozzarella balls
Olives, green and black greek, drained
Marinated mushrooms in oil
Marinated slices of cherry pepper
1 bottle italian dressing

Mix all ingredients.  Allow to marinade at least overnight; two days if possible. Shake container occasionally to distribute marinade.

Seriously, you just buy all these goodies and throw together in a container for a day or so.  Then enjoy the awesomeness!



Serve with toothpicks or on lettuce with fresh veggies.  You could also use ham cubes, proscuitto pieces, artichoke hearts, three-bean salad; anything goes!

Savory Burger & Blue Cheese Roll!

Yet another use for Pillsbury dough! They should be paying me or something... :)


1. Cook 1# of ground beef, or moose, or whatever you have 150 lbs of in your freezer.



2. Unroll pizza crust dough on greased cookie sheet, spread with barbecue sauce, then spread layer of cooked meat.  Don't spread all the way to the far end - you want a little flap for closing the roll.


3. Top with crumbled blue cheese and shredded mozzarella.


4. Roll from near short end like a big jelly roll with closing flap last; this keeps it from unrolling while it cooks.  It will look like some kind of big white larvae from a sci-fi movie, but trust me that it will look better when it is cooked!

5.  Bake according to dough package directions.  Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella for last 5 minutes.



6. Slice to serve with bbq sauce.

mozzarella rice balls

In honor of the upcoming holiday feasting, I wanted to share a family favorite recipe.  No, we don't eat this for Thanksgiving, but it has been contributing to our collective weight gain for many years.



1. Cook 2 c white rice. Cool slightly.

2. Fold in 4 beaten egg yolks and 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese.  Mix thoroughly.

3. cut one 8oz package of mozzarella cheese into about two dozen cubes.

4. shape about 1/4 cup rice into a ball around each cheese cube.  Squeeze balls to make sure rice completely covers cheese.

5.  beat egg whites in shallow dish.  gently roll each ball in egg white and then in italian breadcrumbs.

6. place on baking sheet so they are not touching.

7. Refrigerate one hour.  Firmness matters!

8.  bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Watch for blowouts! If cheese leaks out, they are done.

9. White Sauce:  Melt 1/4 c. butter or margarine over low heat in medium saucepan.

10. Stir in 1/4 c. flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper.

11. Cook on medium high, stirring constantly, until it bubbles.  Lumps will disappear when at the right temperature.

12. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 c. parmesan cheese. 

13. serve while hot.

14. don't blame me for the number you will see on your scale