Sunday, March 30, 2008

Perfect Pepperoni Pizza, Sensational Salad with Amazing Artichoke Croutons, and InCredible Carrot Cookies

Chase’s birthday is Wednesday, so he gets to celebrate the weekend before, the day of, and the weekend after! Even though he’s hardly a child, he’s a kid at heart and asked for a pizza party.

I made a whole wheat and oat crust in the food pro and let it hang out in the fridge until we were ready to roll it. I made Julie’s famous Italian Sausages to use for pepperoni.





I made a tomato sauce the day before and bought Chase’s favorite topping ingredients – spinach, sundried and fresh tomatoes, fresh green and roasted yellow peppers, and green onions. I had some leftover cheez sauce to use on top, and I whipped up a quick parmesan of raw almonds and nooch to sprinkle on individual slices. It was soooo delicious. A completely homemade pizza baked on a pizza stone is pie perfection!





Austin’s own Kitchen Diva had a recipe on her website for a spinach salad with Artichoke Croutons. Wha??? Marinated artichoke hearts are breaded in seasoned panko, baked until crispy, and then used as croutons – genius! And completely delicious.


I made a mixed green salad and added in leftover pizza toppings and toasted walnuts. A store bought Italian dressing was just fine, quite nice actually with the artichokes.



Anna, another Austinite and fellow blogger – oh yeah, and a Pillsbury Bakeoff Grand Prize Millionaire! - posted a recipe for Carrot Breakfast Cookies awhile back. I’ve been promising to make them ever since and I’m proud to say I finally made her low fat version. They are for Chase to have for snacks, but I did have a test taste of one and they are so delicious! Not too sweet, just like Chase likes, and a perfect snack or breakfast. I used one flax egg (1 T. ground flaxseeds + 3 T. water) and whipped it in the mixer in place of the egg whites, and I used ¼ t. orange oil instead of zest; otherwise, I followed Anna’s recipe exactly. The orange flavor is the best part! Check out Anna’s blog for DAILY cookie recipes at cookiemadness.net.



And now for Chase’s pre-birthday cake. Okay it’s actually a rice cake. I spread on some peanut butter, added blueberry eyes, an almond nose, apple mouth, and toasted coconut hair. It fit in well with the kid’s pizza party theme. Meet Mr. Happy Treat. It looks just like Chase!



On Wednesday we’ll have a real birthday cake.


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, there are lots and lots of goodies as always! your pizza looks fantastic! i keep forgetting to make some vegan sausages...

Anonymous said...

That rice cake is so cute!

Amey said...

oh fun!
those artichoke croutons sound very cool. I love the pizza and the sweet rice cake you made. Chase seems like such a neat young man. have fun celebrating his birthday!

:) Amey

Anonymous said...

Woo Hoo! I'm glad you (and Chase) liked the cookies. I bought some flaxseed and have been meaning to try the low fat version with flax.

Lindsay (Happy Herbivore) said...

love the rice cake!!!!

Vegan_Noodle said...

YOu had me fooled completely with that rice cake! Too cute.
I love the idea of artichoke croutons! John will love that idea (the Italian in him I suppose).
And I totally agree with Chase's birthday celebration philosophy. Wish him a happy birthday from all of us and can't wait to see the REAL cake.

Rose said...

What a fun birthday party you made for your son! I'll definitely have to make the carrot breakfast cookies, they look so good!

elizadoohicky said...

love your blog! I'm a new vegan in Houston, and looking for practical ways to do this thing!

I did find http://hezbollahtofu.blogspot.com/

which is a collective effort by vegan cooks to compile vegan recipes for charity. be sure to read the first post addressed to Anthony Bourdain.

Your stuff should go in there!

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

mmmmm, pizza! you read my mind cos i am gonna make pizza at some point this week.

Anonymous said...

that pizza looks super hearty and yummy. and, i think i have a crush on the rice cake "cake". i am excited for the real cake! yay for birthdays that last at least a week!

Sheree' said...

Happy Birthday Chase! I love your rice cake birthday cake! Diann, you are one very special momma and Chase you are so lucky!.

We love the sausages! I made some more yesterday. Vegan dad made some breakfast sausages, which I have also made and even my omni hubby loves them. I bet Chase would enjoy them too!

Carrie™ said...

Can never go wrong with pizza! Sun-dried tomatoes are one of my choice pizza toppings as well. The finished product looks delicious!!
Cute "cake" :o)

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

I Love the alliteration, I Love the Mr. Happy Treat, and I Love the fact that Chase channeled his inner-child and asked for a pizza party. Happy birthday, Chase!

Unknown said...

ohh God! How cud i stop myself after watching such greats recipes. Sure you recipes are too gud & after watching their snaps i cud imagine how delicious they are......
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Judy said...

What a great looking pizza, and I love the 'rice' cake! Too cute!