Monday, May 17, 2010

Weekend & Grilled Pizza

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. The weather in Charleston could not have been more perfect! Signs of Spring/Summer are everywhere! My favorite is the magnolia blossoms next to our house. They are so gorgeous, I wish they lasted longer:


It was so wonderful to have Josh back home after his week away for business. We enjoyed a lot of time together with good food and lots of home projects. I also taught Body Step Saturday morning and Pump Sunday morning. Good eats included roasted veggies from the farmers market:

Brunch at my favorite spot. I switched it up (just a bit) and got the regular fruit parfait with strawberries and bananas. They went a little nutzo on the granola, but it was delicious:


I think I've also converted Josh to the parfait. He got the apple parfait (and why yes, he is wearing a shirt circa 1996 ;)).


Saturday night, we grilled up some pizza! I rocked my new apron from the Hip Hostess that I won from a contest on the fabulous blog We are Not Martha (excuse my wet hair/no make up look ;)).
This apron is adorable! I love how it fits and the pockets are great. I actually carried out my spices in them:
This was one of my first attempts at grilling pizza. Here is the technique that I think works best: Either spray the grates with cooking spray or brush them with olive oil (do this BEFORE you turn the heat on). Turn the grill on medium low. Roll/stretch out dough. Spray both sides with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Place the dough on the grill for a few minutes, flip. Let cook ~ 1 -2 minutes longer. Top. Cook until cheese is melted and pizza is cooked through.
For Josh and his friend, I made a cheese and pepperoni pizza with a red sauce base and garlic and herb seasoning:
I also made an artichoke and pepperoni pizza with mozzarella cheese and an olive oil and garlic base with red pepper sprinkled on top:
For myself, I made a mini pizza with mozzarella, onions and peppers and a red sauce base and garlic and herb seasoning:
SO delicious!
Around the house I got a lot of decorating done this weekend! I am really a terrible decorator but am pretty happy with the outcome. Maybe I'll show you some decor pics later this week. I also decorated a bit outside putting in some new planters that contain flowers and herbs (chives & oregano):

We also finished up our garden! It may not look like much yet, but there is good stuff brewing under that soil including jalapeno peppers, summer squash, tomato plants, and kombucha squash . I also planted a few flowers just to add to the pretty factor. The potted flowering plant is on top of a stump:

And now, here's to Monday! I think Frank is planning on spending his Monday doing a lot of this:
I, on the other hand, taught Pump this morning and am off to work. What are you up to?

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love the apron!

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

Looks like a great weekend! Oh Mondays, it's downpouring here which just adds to the "Monday factor" if you ask me :/ The grilled pizza sounds so good too, we need to get a grill asap!

madeleine said...

I LOVE the grilled pizza idea-- such a great way to cook. And the parfait looks delicious! The apron btw is so cute, you can never have too many pockets:) Hope you are having a great Monday!

Lauren @ Eater not a runner said...

Love the apron! And the pizza looks awesome :-)

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I have never attempted a grilled pizza either. It sounds so delicious!

tam said...

What a cute apron! The parfait looks fab I need to try one defo! x x

Lee said...

I've never grilled pizza before but now I have to try it. (Umm, after I get a grill!) Hope you had a great weekend.

Jessica said...

Erica, the pizza looks awesome! And the apron, I thought it was a skirt! Super cute!
We had a great weekend, worked at the market, had a good visit with my bro and his gf, planted a lot of Saskatoon berries on Sunday, hung out in the barns, played with the dogs, a great warm weekend.
Happy Monday, hope it's a good one!

brandi said...

sounds like a fun weekend! I LOVE grilled pizzas and we have not done that yet this year. Thanks for the reminder!

and that apron is super cute. I'm a sucker for anything with pockets, especially long tops and dresses.

Heather said...

I've always wanted to make grilled pizza - maybe it's easier than I thought? It'll be perfect for when it finally warms up here!!
Hope you had a good class this morning!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

The garden looks fabulous! All of the hard work paid off. I'm lovin that super cute apron too! Can you believe I let my carrots go bad? I never even got to try them. :( Boo...guess I'll have to get more this week! XOXO

Unknown said...

grilled pizza??? totally jealous :) adorable apron, too!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Doesn't wearing a cute apron just make cooking more fun!? I am beginning to accumulate quite a collection of them haha. And I've wanted to try making grilled pizzas forever, but was a little hesitant. Thanks for the good pointers!

I Run for Fun said...

Wonderful weekend! Love the pics! You'll have a lovely garden soon.

Frank's got his priorities straight, that's for sure!

Have a great week.

Erin at The Healthy apron said...

What a cute apron! Sounds like you had a fun weekend! Once we get a grill (and a house for that matter) we will have to try grilling pizza! my favorite!!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

I told jason we MUST grill pizza soon! it is SUCH a good idea! I love thin crust and I feel like grilling it all thin will make it SO crisopy with that grilled flavor!

your apron that you won is SO SO SO cute!! you are ROCKIN it girl!! :)

nutzo on teh granola...nothing wrong with that ;)

xox

Holly said...

All of the plants and the garden look great! I totally have a black thumb. :/ One of these days I would LOVE to have a garden, though.

mmmm - I've never attempted pizza on the grill, and actually never even had it! Yours looks SO wonderful. Green pepper + onion is one of my favorite pizza combos!

Chels said...

TIMEOUT... You look ADORABLE in your apron! :) Yay for giveaways! :) Have a great week!

[Chels]

fittingbackin said...

Loving the grilled pizza - and the cute apron!! hehe Overboard on the granola - love it! sounds like a great weekend, girl!

Jessica said...

The apron is super cute!

I love grilling, it is one of my favorite parts of summer : ) The pizzas look fabulous!

Angharad said...

That apron is adorable! And that pizza looks super good! I'm actually hoping my man brings home some pizza dough tonight so that we can make homemade pizza soon, you've inspired me!

hbobier said...

Those roasted veggies look gorgeous. And delicious. And every other adjective that expresses how much I'd like to recreate that plate of veggies. Nom.

Anonymous said...

That apron is so cute! At first I thought it was a really cute skirt!

Anonymous said...

That apron is so cute!

Looks like a great weekend- isn't the start os spring amazing? So cool that you are growing kabocha squash! Your parfait has my heart...bananas and granola = perfect. Grilled pizza sounds great! You make me wish I had a garden!!!!

Jessie (Vegan-minded) said...

Magnolias are so beautiful and fragrant, I just love them! That grilled pizza looks amazing, and you looked super cute in your apron too. Love it! :)

Anonymous said...

Your pictures of Frank always make me smile!

Love the apron and the grilled pizza - its so weird, I can use my same dough that I normally would, but grilling pizza somehow makes for a more delicate crust!

Happy Monday Chica!

Maria said...

We love grilled pizza! It was finally nice weather in Utah so we did a lot of yard work. We will plant our garden this week. The apron is super cute! Glad you had a nice weekend!

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

super cute apron!!! and oh, a different parfait! living on the edge! you can never have too much granola, right? ;) love me some frank!

Julie said...

girl you are work.in. that apron! haha i love it. that's some serious housewife material right there.

is it wrong if i say i'm so jealous of your veggie garden..

i want one. should a 24yr old want a veggie garden? hahaha whatev right!

i'm pretty sure you should start charging josh's friends for the food you make them because that pizza is ridiiiic!

Jenna said...

Your pizza looks to die for, girl! I am absolutely loving all of the grilled food we've been having over at our house. There is nothing better in the summertime. :)

Krista said...

My Mom does pizza on the BBQ and we all love it that way! Such a treat. I'm hoping to plant my veggie garden this weekend. I like that you put some pretty flowers in for some pop. You'll have to do progress photos as the plants grow!

Pining for Pinterest said...

The pizza looks amazing!!! I hope you had a great class today :)

Pining for Pinterest said...

The pizza looks amazing!!! I hope you had a great class today :)

Kelsey Ann said...

LOVE THE APRON! oh how i wish i was there at that bbq! woulve had a blast with ya. looks like such an amazing feast all prepared. love it <3

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

Grilled pizza is such a great idea! We don't actually have a grill but if we did I'd be all over this! Glad you guys had a nice weekend :).

Juliana said...

Erica, what a great idea...grilled pizza, have to try this one :-) Love the flowers!

teresa said...

aw, the apron is so cute! the pizzas look wonderful, i never think to grill pizza, but i bet it's awesome!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've always wanted to try grilled pizza!

Julie said...

I just told my husband we should make pizza on the grill, and he looked at me like I'm insane. Guess I'll just have to drool over yours.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

thansk for the weekend recap. and you have wet, freshly showered hair and THEN you grill...haha! I hate the smell of grill in my hair so I would have done reverse order to you :)

the roasted veggies look stellar and the pizzas...artichokes. And if you put pineapple on it, i would be in heaven!

Have a great week, Erica!!
xo

Stacey said...

Love the homemade pizza looks yummy. Those parfaits gave me some great ideas.

vanillasugarblog said...

grilled pizza isn't that just the best? love it.
and yes, that is the cutest pic of frank by far....he is so chill.

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

Oh my goodness! All your food photos are amazing- esp. the roasted veggies! What a gorgeous magnolia blossom as well.
I am glad you had a nice weekend!

Mom on the Run said...

You are so cute in your Apron!It is so you :)

I have not attempted to to grill pizza. I am always afraid to burn it. Yours looks so good :)

Nicci said...

I love the new apron, too cute. I'd kill for a parfait right now, yum.

Lauren said...

Awww, so glad your boy is home! Mine is away on business this week and I am definitely missing him. :(

The pizza looks great and that apron is so cute, but you are even more adorable wearing it! :)

Britt said...

Love magnolias!!

I was just reading an article on grilling pizza, I'm so inspired now!

LOVE the apron, very cute!!!

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

LOVE the apron!
I've been wanted to grill pizza--I'll have to give it a try soon! Looks delicious!
And yay for your garden!

Anonymous said...

love the apron! and of course frank too.. omg- i think he had a rough weekend based on that photo! hahaha! tooo cute!

love your pizzas as always!

Im heading to hilton head saturday morning with Jeff and his sis!!!

Ana said...

I have never heard of grilling a pizza!! How long do you leave it on the grill for?? Rusty is going to love this idea!! lol

This weekend I did some decorating myself! I finally painted my room :) Can't wait to see your decorations!

Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com said...

Gah! I love Frank!

Looks like a positively wonderful weekend!! I'm craving a grilled pizza! I made one once before and it had such a lovely charred, smoky flavor. I'll be sure to do it again, but now with your tips! Thanks for the notes on how to make it perfect!
Josh is so lucky to have such a gourmet chef around!

Have a great day, my dear!!

Susan said...

Aww I love your little garden! My mom has been working in hers nonstop. She just bought some tomato plants from the farmers market this weekend. Yay for fresh food and flowers in your backyard!

Hope you are having a good week!

Susan said...

Aww I love your little garden! My mom has been working in hers nonstop. She just bought some tomato plants from the farmers market this weekend. Yay for fresh food and flowers in your backyard!

Hope you are having a good week!

Bridget said...

ahhh we just built a garden box almost exactly like yours!!! Just havent planted yet!
I am planning to make grilled pizzas soon...I've been dying to have another go at it. The first time I tried at my old apt was on a charcoal grill that was WAY too hot. We basically put the dough on and it charred instantly on one side haha. Not so much :)

Anonymous said...

you had me at brussel sprouts.

I don't care about any good food ideas, the flower in the middle of the garden is genius! (not to put off any of your cooking; I'm sure it is tasty too)

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

Yay for pizza grilling! That is something I've been wanting to try but never get around to... it always seems like so much more effort. Frank is such a cutie!

Esi said...

That apron is sooo cute. Glad you had a good weekend!

BroccoliHut said...

Such a cute apron--it would match my red-themed kitchen:)

lynn @ the actors diet said...

what a cute apron! love the pockets...

the twins said...

everything looks so good! i made grilled pizza with eggplant once, it was delicious.

Anonymous said...

you are too cute! love that apron - i have never grilled pizza, i bet it makes the crust nice and crispy?

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

Sounds like a great weekend, girlie! Love the apron. You are adorable :)
I'm jealous of your pizza! The crust/dough looks fabulous. Is the recipe on your blog?

The Purple Carrot said...

Glad you and the hubby had a great weekend together with lots of good food and house projects!

Grilled anything + roasted veggies = double yum!!! : )

Katie said...

Yay for Josh being home! Ari just got back and it is so nice to have him here. That brunch parfait looks amazing! And you're right, there's something about grilled pizza that's so delicious (and addictive). Thanks for the Frank pic!

We Are Not Martha said...

Ahhh I love the apron! It seriously looks adorableee. And, of course, all that pizza looks delicious!

Sues

Kirstin said...

We love grilling chicken too. I tried it for the first time a few summers ago.

RunToTheFinish said...

ok so i'm trying to find the cauliflower pizza you mentioned on No Meat Athlete..

Sarah said...

Grilled pizza is one of my favorite summer dinners. Our backyard is getting a massive makeover right now so I can't use the grill until it's done. Hopefully soon because it is such a treat!

I have a pizza stone in my inside oven which I move to the grill when making pizza out there. You don't get the grill marks, but the crust gets crusty and browned. I turn off the fire right underneath when I put the dough on, then turn it back on in a minute to maintain the high temperature. I think grills are so different though, so what works for me might not work as well for you.

Your pizza looks delish! It never ceases to amaze me how much more boys can eat sometimes! It doesn't seem like Ray eats much more than me at the table, but he is a marathon snacker and has usually had a full meal before we sit down. :) I envy how much extra they get to eat, although realistically I think I could eat Josh's dinner but probably not without being seriously uncomfortable after!