Celebrate National Deep-Dish Pizza Day with a decadent slice of Chicago-style scrumptiousness.
Super Simple Deep-Dish Pizza
This is always best with a home-made crust and sauce, but this Super Simple twist on Chicago-style pizza is yummy!!!
Butter, for greasing pan
1½–2 lbs prepared pizza dough balls, thawed, if frozen
½ c yellow cornmeal
1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausage, removed from casings if in links
24 Pepperoni Chips (see below)
14-oz favorite bottled pizza sauce
14-oz can crushed San Marzano tomatoes
1 tsp mixed Italian seasoning
¼ tsp oregano
½ tsp sugar
12-oz low-moisture (NOT fresh) Mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Generously butter bottom and sides of a 12” cast iron skillet. Roll pizza dough in cornmeal, pressing down and kneading to mix in the cornmeal. Transfer dough to prepared pan, pressing evenly across the bottom and 2” up the sides. Cover and let rest 10 minutes before filling. Meanwhile, cook, crumble, and drain the sausage in another skillet; set aside.
Make Pepperoni Chips by placing 24 pre-sliced pieces of pepperoni in a single layer on a triple thickness of paper toweling. Top with a single layer of paper toweling and microwave for 45 – 60 seconds. (This is to remove most of the grease, rather than make the crispy chips to serve independently.) Then prepare sauce in a bowl by combining pizza sauce, tomatoes, seasonings, and sugar.
Fill pizza by sprinkling Mozzarella cheese evenly in the crust. Then sprinkle the cooked sausage over the cheese. Spoon the sauce over the top, using the back of a spoon to press it to the edges. Top with a layer of Pepperoni Chips and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Place in oven that has been preheated to 425°F for 30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife and serving with a spatula.
KISS Tips: Check pizza after 15-20 minutes to be sure crust is not browning too quickly. If it is, tent loosely with foil. You can individually wrap and freeze slices and then reheat for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (never in a microwave).
Ahhh, Mom often says that growing old is not for sissies. As she approaches turning 96 years young in June, we are blessed with her good health and vibrant spirit. A huge fan of lobster, we recently took her to lunch at Dunedin’s Lucky Lobster Company in Florida. Loved the Connecticut-style lobster roll, sans bun. Fully living every day possible is the only way she ever taught me to face Life.
Super Simple Oysters Rockefeller
Melt ¼ c butter over med heat in skillet; sauté shallots for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and let cook 1 minute; stir in the Vermouth and let cook 1 min before stirring in the spinach and seasoning with pepper. Stir in the cream and cheese, along with half the bacon. Remove from heat. Melt remaining butter and stir in the panko. Lay 1 oyster in each of the half shells in rock salt (if desired) or in baking pan, top with a couple T of spinach mixture, sprinkle with buttery crumbs and remaining bacon. Place in preheated 375-400° F oven for 7-8 minutes. Serve hot with lemon wedges. Makes 24.
KISS Tips: For cheese fans, add 6 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded along with the grated Romano. If needed, when not using rock salt, you can also support oysters on bits of crumbled foil on your baking pan. If preparing ahead, simply cover the tray of unbaked, stuffed oysters with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate till just before needed; add 1-22 minutes to baking time. Make this a meal by adding some warmed, crusty French bread and a green salad.
We all have days when we’ve simply “had enough.” No matter how resilient we may seem, regardless of the happy face we may put forward each day, despite how perfect our lives may appear to others, there are times when reality chokes hope in even the most positive thinking among us. The depths of our despair can feel like an Edgar Allen Poe bottomless pit. Our hearts can weigh mercilessly heavy, laden with unspoken burdens and loneliness. Have faith. Believe. Do what we must do. Wipe away the silent tears. Put one foot in front of the other, recognizing this is the way forward. Remember that light will follow the dark. 
“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be.”
I never knew my family’s story could have such a profound impact on so many different people. Ah, especially in these troubled times, perseverance can build immensely impactful foundations. Among the most precious lessons I learned from my Armenian Grandpa, Hrant Gulumian, are those that help me stay calm and rise above the divisiveness, even when slanted or downright nasty expressions from people who seem to have closed their minds to any thoughts or ideas that appear to be outside their comfort zones. He lived lessons he taught, including that promoting distrust and hatred of people who are different is never a good thing.
My Grandmother, Marjorie Gulumian, also taught me to stay strong. I was honored to publish her journal in a 2014 book, and I also quoted some of her journal notes in 
“Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
Super Simple American Street Corn
“The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.”
On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem for the United States of America. I thank God for the brave people of yesterday, today, and tomorrow with the courage to struggle and sacrifice for our freedoms… and for the strength to help others overcome and build or rebuild opportunities for strength and freedom. God bless!
For National Kahlua Day, I share a “partner” recipe from yesterday. Kahlua combines the flavors of coffee liquor and rum.
For National Pistachio Day, I share my Super Simple Cannoli Cups recipe.
