From the Diary of a Kitchen Goddess: Enchanting English Muffin Pizzas
Friday, June 8, 2012 ~ A Companion to Cook With
Once Upon a Late Spring Evening
Yesterday evening was another cool one for the month of June. It has been a rainy spring, and the pitter-patter of droplets dancing on my roof have been lulling me to sleep. My dreams have been misty and peaceful, and I have been waking up in good spirits. It is lovely to start the day by looking out my windows and seeing the edible plants in my gardens growing bountifully. Blessed be!
A Toasty Warm Meal
The evening's cool rain and mist inspired me to bake a big batch of mini pizza pies, built from English muffin halves. My grandmother made these small pizza pies for me whenever I spent the night at her house. Fond, loving memories are associated with them.
I use mixed grain muffins to increase the fiber and protein content of my little pies, and I believe that gives them more power to keep me strong. Another way that I add to the beauty of my creations is to garnish them with tasty toppings. Some of my friends love to eat them topped with pepperoni. I like them with ricotta cheese and spinach, or with breaded eggplant. Other savory toppings that have been known to sit on my little pies include mushrooms and peppers. Grilling a rainbow of peppers in olive oil and topping a few of the pies with them is a delicious treat.
One Born of Spirit and Mirth
As I pulled a large pan decked with mini pizza pies out of the oven, I heard a gentle knock at the door. As I opened the door, a swirling column of mist rose up from my sunflower welcome mat, and from the mist emerged a lovely young woman. When she spoke, I heard angels singing in her voice.
"Good evening. Are you the lady of the house? My name is Esperanza Mariposa. I was sent by your friend Grover to help you with your work." She held out her hand, and I took it in mine. It was soft and warm.
"Though you were sent to me and must know my name, it is only proper that I formally introduce myself. My name is Karen, the 'Kitchen Goddess.'"
"It is good to meet you, Karen." She gave my hand a gentle, friendly squeeze and her eyes sparkled with mirth. Then she wrapped her arm around me and gave me a hug and kiss on my cheek.
"It is very good to meet you Esperanza. Thank you for coming. May I offer you a cup of freshly brewed jasmine tea?"
"Yes. It is my favorite flavor of tea."
"I have fresh honey to add to it tonight, too."
"Ooooh, yum, a sweet treat!" We both giggled.
A Quiet Meal shared with my Soul Sister
Esperanza wore an elegant black dress with a pattern of small roses and a curved lace collar at her neck. Over her dress was draped a dark green woolen cloak around her shoulders, clasped with a conch shell covered in abalone. In her hand she held a silken bag covered with the deep indigo night sky populated by millions of gold and silver stars.
When I welcomed her into my home, she smiled and stepped over the threshold.
"I have baked a big batch of small pizza pies with lots of tasty toppings. Would you like a few? I have also made a garden salad teeming with lettuce leaves, fruits, vegetables, and nuts." I stepped aside to let her enter.
As I held out my hand, Esperanza unclasped her cloak and handed it to me, which I hung from my giant wooden bear coat rack in the corner of my hallway. She sat gracefully in a chair at my table and I placed a plate of mini pizzas and salad before her. Beside that, I rested my favorite "Starry Night" mug, filled with steaming jasmine tea. Next to the mug, I placed the jar of honey and a drizzler.
"I have been traveling by foot and am happy to finally arrive at your home, Karen. The pizzas, salad and tea are a delicious and enchanting combination."
The two of us chatted as if we've known each other for years. As fast as lightening, the night grew late and it was time for us both to crawl into our beds for some sweet dreams.
A Pan of warm mini pizza pies from the hearth
Do you say Aye or Nay to this dish?
It takes but a short labor of love to make this meal~
Essential Elements for a Charming Feast~
- 2 - 4 packages English Muffins (mixed grain), cut in half
- 1 jar Tomato Sauce
- 1-2 packages Mozarella cheese, shredded
- 1 container Italian herb mix, sprinkled
- Various Toppings, chopped, spooned, or spread
Assembling the Feast~
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut the English muffins in half and place each half, inside up, on a cookie sheet. The number of halves needed depends on how many people will be at the table to eat them. Allow for 3-4 each, depending on known appetites.
- Spoon a generous amount of tomato sauce onto the middle of the English muffin halves.
- Sprinkle Italian herb mix onto the spools of tomato sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded Mozarella cheese onto each sauced and herbed muffin half.
- Add toppings, such as: Pepperoni circles (4 to a muffin "pie"); Ricotta cheese & spinach or diced tomatoes, or both; Toasted Garlic; Breaded Eggplant; Mushrooms; a rainbow of peppers; Ham and pineapple ("Hawaiian" style)
- Bake for 15 minutes or so, until the edges of the muffins look slightly toasty brown.
1 serving = 3 mini pizza pies without any topping
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 3 mini pizza pies without any topping | |
| Calories | 74 |
| Calories from Fat | 27 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 3 g | 5% |
| Saturated fat 0 g | |
| Unsaturated fat 0 g | |
| Carbohydrates 3 g | 1% |
| Sugar 1 g | |
| Fiber 3 g | 12% |
| Protein 6 g | 12% |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
© 2012 Karen A Szklany
