$70/Week Challenge - Day Three: Homemade Spinach Ham Pizza

Ingredients:

• 3 C bread flour
• 1 C  warm water
• 3 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/4 oz package of active dry yeast
• 1 t sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1 C tomato sauce click here for recipe
• 2 C mozzarella cheese
• 2 T Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 C fresh baby spinach
• 2 slices of Parmesan Pesto Ham, cubed

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, water, olive oil, yeast, sugar and salt.  
2. Using your very clean hands, stir the ingredients until they form a solid ball (this will take a few minutes, and you will have to scrape down your hands several times).  You can use a dough hook on a food processor, but I don't think it comes out the same.
3. Place the dough on a clean smooth surface.  Gently kneed the dough for 8-10 minutes making sure to rotate the dough with each punch (the dough should be smooth and shiny, and have elasticity).  
4. Return the dough to mixing bowl and cover with a warm, damp dish towel.  
5. Allow the dough to rise for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
7. "Punch" the dough down and remove from bowl.  Kneed the dough for an additional minute, on a well floured surface (also dust your hands with flour as well).  
8. This is the part, if you are fancy, where you toss and spin the dough.  If you can do this, form it into an 18" circle.  If  you are not fancy (I am not), take a floured rolling pin and roll it to form. 
9. Top with sauce, spinach, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and ham pieces. 
10. Drizzle top with olive oil and sprinkle with dried basil. 
11. Place on a pizza stone, or pizza pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until crust is brown and cheese is bubbling. 

$70/Week Challenge - Day One: Mushroom Gouda Salisbury Steaks with "Potatoes Au Gratin" and Sauteed Spinach

Well, $10 for a dinner for five is a much bigger challenge than I anticipated.  I did go over budget, but am way under budget for tomorrow, so I am hoping that I will still keep to $70 for the week.  These "steaks" were a huge hit at my house, but the processed potatoes?  Never again.  I can come up with something not processed for $1.  Look for that recipe later this week.  This would pair perfectly with a 2009 Betz Family Clos de Betz Columbia Valley Red.  But since we are on a budget, it paired great with water and lemon.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey                                      $3.99
• 1 packet of Mushroom/Onion soup mix                      $0.50
• 1 egg                                                                                 $0.17
• 1 14.5 oz can Beef Broth                                                 $0.89
• 1 package box of processed potatoes au gratin           $1.00
• 3 T butter                                                                        $0.25
• 1/2 C milk                                                                       $0.16
• 2 C water                                                                         freeish
• 1 package pre washed baby spinach                            $1.50 (bogo)
• 1 lemon                                                                            $0.50
• 1 8 oz package sliced mushrooms                                 $1.99
• 6 slices Gouda Cheese                                                    $1.20
• 2 garlic cloves                                                                 $0.10
• 2 T flour                                                                           N/A
• 2 T olive oil                                                                      N/A                                                                   

1. Prepare sodium laden, processed potato product per box directions. (seriously, this is the last time I will ever make this, $1 or not!  I can get the ingredients and make it fresh for around $1)
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef or turkey, soup mix, and egg.  Mix well.
4. Shape meat mixture into six, equal sized oval shapes. Tip  half the meat mixture and then divide each half into thirds for a universal size
5. Place steaks relatively spread out on a sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning over after 5 minutes.
6. In a small saucepan over medium high heat, melt 2 T butter and whisk in 2 T flour.
7. Slowly add beef broth and whisk until well combined.  Reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 10 minutes.
8. In a small saute pan, add 1 T olive oil and lightly saute garlic that has been finely minced and add spinach and salt and pepper to taste.
9. Add the juice of one small lemon to spinach.
10. Remove spinach.  Add 1 T olive oil to the same pan and saute mushrooms until they have sweat and become soft (about five minutes).  Add salt and pepper (to taste).
11. Top each "steak" with mushrooms and a slice of Gouda cheese.
12. Return to oven for 2 minutes.  
13. Enjoy! :) 

CAHD tip:  line your sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray for easy clean up!  It is the only dish that got done tonight.