Amazing Pizza Sauce

If you're like me, you might have tomatoes coming out your ears right now.  Here is a unique way to use them.

Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• salt to taste

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

Triple Pork Sliders

With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, you'll need some snack for the game.  While they're throwing around the old pigskin, try the triple pork sliders.  With spicy mayo and chorizo, these will definitely kick the game up a notch.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork

• 1/2 pound fresh Mexican chorizo sausage, casings removed

• 1/4 cup finely grated pepper jack cheese

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 8 slices applewood smoked bacon, cooked crisp

• 16 small dinner rolls, sliced in half

• Curly leaf lettuce

• 3 sliced plum tomatoes

• Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise, recipe follows

Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Sriracha)

Directions

1. Preheat a flat top grill pan to medium-high heat.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the ground pork, sausage, cheese, shallot, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Form the meat mixture into small equal-sized patties.

3. Cook the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and serve on split rolls with a half a slice of bacon, lettuce, tomato and Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise.

Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise:

Mix all of the ingredients together in s medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Can be made a day ahead.

Pumpkin Spice

A staple spice of many fall favorites, this fragrant blend is incredibly easy (and economical) to make at home.

To start, you’ll need all of three minutes and the following ingredients: 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves. Mix the spices together in a small bowl and take a little whiff. (Smells like heaven, right?) Store the mixture in a clean small jar or spice container. See? So easy.

Avocado, Tomato and Mango Salsa

Looking for a refreshing salsa for a warm summer evening? This is our favorite. Serve with tortilla chips. This is also fantastic served on white fish.

Ingredients

• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• 4 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the mango, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the salt, lime juice, red onion, and olive oil. To blend the flavors, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.

Garlicky Sun-Dried Tomato-Infused Oil

You can use just the infused oil or the garlic and tomatoes, too! This oil can be used as a salad dressing, bread dip, or even to add flavor to your favorite saute.

Ingredients

• 7 cloves garlic, chopped, or more to taste
• 10 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups olive oil

Directions

Place garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in a 16-ounce dark glass bottle. Pour olive oil into the bottle using a funnel. Close the bottle tightly and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Store the infused oil in the refrigerator.

Fresh Herb Butter

Make this fresh herb butter for great flavor with very little work.  Use it on crusty bread, as a topping for fish, or mixed into gnocchi or ravioli.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons chopped herbs (chives, mints, parsley, sage)
• Garlic (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Spoon into a small serving bowl or chill 15 minutes and shape into a log.