White Sauce Pizza

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This was just a last-minute, throw-it-together type of pizza that happened to rock our world during dinner time last night!  We had everything on-hand and with a quick google of "white pizza sauce" we had an amazing (and amazingly beautiful!) pizza on our hands.  And in our tums.  The white sauce made all the difference for me, but John still wanted regular pizza sauce on his half.

{What you need}

2 boxes Jiffy Pizza Crust mix 

(has anyone else discovered this gem yet????? I'm in LOVE.)

1 cup hot tap water

{white sauce}

2 Tablespoons butter

3 Tablespoons flour

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tablespoons dried basil

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (I get a big bag at Costco and use it all the time)

{from here}

{toppings}

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast, seasoned with salt and steak seasoning

1 cup pre-cooked bacon, diced

1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed enough to sprinkle on pizza

1/3 cup canned mushrooms

1 clove canned artichoke hearts

1-2 cups parmesan cheese

for the sauce:  Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  Add flour and stir until thoroughly mixed.  Gradually whisk in milk and blend, then add the rest of the sauce ingredients.  Will thicken upon standing.

Prepare the pizza crust according directions on the box.  Spread white sauce as liberally as you like over the crust.  Put desired toppings all over the sauced crust, just as you like it.  Sprinkle the cheese on top of all the toppings and bake according to crust box directions.

Oatmeal Cake

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I've posted this recipe before, but I made it again this past weekend and remembered how absolutely incredible it is.  So I decided to re-post it for you all so you don't miss out on it.  This might be my all-time favorite recipe ever. I got it from a dear mission friend, Johna Jarnagin. She got me through some hard times on the mission by feeding my face with delicious food. This was my favorite of all the delicious food that she fed my face with.

{What you need}

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup margarine

1 1/3 cups boiling water

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

Mix oatmeal, margarine, and boiling water. Mix sugars and eggs into mixture. Sift flour and spices. Put in a 9x13" pan. Bake for 30 min at 350.

{topping}

1 cup brown sugar

1 cube margarine

1/2 cup canned milk

--boil these ingredients together--

add:

1 cup chopped nuts {I left these out}

1 cup coconut

1 teaspoon vanilla

--pour hot mixture over baked cake--

Be warned that although this has oatmeal in it, it is not the most figure-friendly cake on the block. But it is sooo moist and rich. It really will change your life. Eat with a huge glass of cold milk.

Taco Soup

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Such an easy recipe.  We had pretty much everything on hand already, and it all came together quite nicely for an impromptu dinner party.  It was a major hit, everyone went back for at least seconds!

{What you need}

2 pounds ground beef, browned with the fat drained

3 cans stewed tomatoes

2 cans kidney beans

2 cans garbanzo beans

1 can pinto beans

2 cans corn, drained

1 can green chilies

1 packet taco seasoning

1 packet ranch dressing mix

1 Tablespoon onion powder

1 cup water

{toppings}

sour cream

shredded cheese

tortilla chips

guacamole

Combine all ingredients {including the juices of the canned beans--don't drain them} and heat on medium-high until heated through.  Add more water if you want it "soupier."  We served it with this cornbread, this honey butter, this fruit dip, and an assortment of fruits for dipping.  It was such a great meal!