like mother like daughter

so, last night we made L's meatballs.....tonight we made a recipe courtesy of her daughter, my niece (thanks E!).  pepperoni bread - i simply can't describe how really good it is.  and how easy it is to make.  even someone as culinarily-challenged (yes, i did just make that word up, shut up giada) as i am, managed just fine.  actually, my daughter did most of the work, i just did the rolling before baking, and the eating after.  add a tossed green salad and it's the perfect meal.

E's pepperoni bread

1 tube ready/to/bake pizza crust
pepperoni slices
shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese (helps to ease the guilt)
italian seasoning

that's it, honestly.  i love making things that don't require lots of ingredients.

anyway, you roll the pizza dough out into a rectangle, then lightly sprinkle it all over with the seasoning.  i've seen a recipe where you spread a layer of butter (!) on the dough before sprinkling the seasoning, but we wanted to eat chocolate chip cookies later so we skipped the butter fat.  i don't think you need it at all, actually.  then spread a layer of the cheese, then a layer of pepperoni, then another light layer of cheese.  you can also sprinkle a little bit of grated parm on top for a nice twist.

then you roll it (like you're making a jelly roll.  not that i've ever done that, but that's what the "other" recipes say to do) and kindof press the edges closed.  it looks like a fat dough meatloaf, or a rectangular calzone.

bake at 375 for between 12-17 minutes (light brown) depending on your oven....

slice and eat.  a very quick and easy meal when you have sports practices, back-to-school night, and homework all at once (my life today).

one note -- we used regular pepperoni, and while it was very good, it was a tad greasy as pepperoni is wont to be.  i think we'll use turkey pepperoni (hormel makes the best and you can buy it in a little resealable bag) next time and see how it changes the texture and taste.  it's probably much better for you too.

sometimes these simple recipes are awesome to have in your hip pocket.  i've GOT to get out of the habit of looking at the clock at 5:50 pm and realizing it's time for dinner and 1) not only do i not have a plan for what we are going to eat, but 2) i don't have anything from which to make a decent dinner.

i think this is going to be one of my Go-To recipes.