Busy Diva's Dinner Menu: 09/01/2011

Diva Cooking 101

Divas cook gorgeous things that are fabulous enough to share with friends and family. They just don't cook much. Every diva needs a few, easy signature dishes to get by. Are you a diva cook?

Divas cook while listening to Billie Holiday, Muddy Waters, or the Rolling Stones.

Divas cook while sipping Champagne, Chardonnay, or a martini.

Divas cook with a feather boa draped around their shoulders.

While cooking, divas nibble gin-soaked olives or Champagne-saturated strawberries.

Divas cook while wearing an apron that says, "Tomorrow is another Chardonnay."

A diva's favorite breakfast is last night's appetizers.

Divas don't stress over particular amounts in any recipe. Glugs, plops, and handfuls are accurate enough.

Divas can cook with boas because diva recipes do not require many steps. Still, the food is fabulous.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Easy Pear Cobbler

Dieters beware! This recipe contains real sugar and an entire stick of butter. My friend, Diana (see Super Fast Potatoes), dropped off about a dozen pears from her family's fruit trees. What to do? My first thought was to eat them as is, but a dozen? I'm just not that healthy.

Easy Pear Cobbler

2-2 ½ cups pears, chopped

2 cups sugar, divided

1 stick butter

¾ cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk

1 egg

Mix pears with 1 cup sugar in a pretty bowl and set aside.
Put butter in 2-quart casserole and place in 325° oven until melted.
Combine all dry ingredients, (don't forget the remaining 1 cup of sugar), and mix well.
Whisk the milk and egg; slowly combine with dry ingredients to make a batter.
Pour over melted butter; DO NOT STIR.
Spoon pears over the batter; DO NOT STIR.
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until nicely browned and pears are tender.
Serve hot or cold.

Options: Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Make it a meal: Serve after a light lunch of Antipasto (see recipe)

Wine: Riesling

Breakfast Pizza

This smells so good cooking. It is all the food groups in the right amounts. If you don't overload with cheese (I do) and meats (I don't) this is a perfectly healthy breakfast. Divas love pizza for breakfast. It is almost as good as cake for breakfast. Almost.

Breakfast Pizza

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

1 tomato, diced

1 large prepared pizza crust or 2 individuals

1/2 low fat cream cheese brick

1 egg

1 cup diced ham or crumbled bacon

1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar is nice, Fontina is better)

Sauté the vegetables until tender.
In a pretty bowl, mix cream cheese and egg until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto pizza crust; add vegetables and meat.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes until cream cheese layer sets.
Add cheddar cheese and bake another 3 minutes until cheese has melted.

Options: Play with vegetables! Spinach and feta would be great! Try goat cheese or add some hot peppers for zip.

Make it a meal: Serve with coffee or mimosas. I, of course, prefer the latter.

Wine: See above.