Cheesy Artichoke French Bread Pizza

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This is a stellar recipe for a simple snack that I like to call “Cheesy artichoke bread”, also known as artichoke French bread pizza.  It tastes just wonderful and it’s full of flavor.  I omitted the red pepper.  My son, who is very picky with foods, ate it without noticing the artichoke and just thought it was cheesy bread.  He was thrilled.  Next time I’ll lightly food process the artichoke so it’s not so obvious.

I doubled the ingredients and used a larger loaf – actually, a ciabatta loaf.  I am glad I did, it was all gone in about two days.  

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  •  1 minced garlic clove
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • small baguette —(I used a dense ciabatta loaf)
  • 1/2 cup ricotta
  • 1/2 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley, for topping

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Combine 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 tsp. each red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and kosher salt; brush on a split small baguette.
  2. Top with 1/2 cup each ricotta, chopped marinated artichoke hearts, and shredded mozzarella.
  3. Broil (on low) until the cheese is browned and bubbling.  (Set the time 5 minutes so you don’t come back to a burnt, smoking mess).
  4. Top with chopped fresh parsley.

 

Homemade White Hot Chocolate *

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I can no longer have amazing hot cocoa, coffee, and all those wonderful things.  With a very irritated I.C. bladder, I have to find another route to the joy of hot chocolate.  So I looked online and found this recipe from www.gimmesomeoven.com, and gave it a try.  I had the 2% milk and homemade vanilla on hand, so all I needed was the white chocolate.  I got a big bag of Ghirardelli white chocolate chips and gave it a whirl!  It’s creamy, whips up in about five minutes, and tastes Starbucks-like to me.

–Makes about four ample servings.  It’s a filling drink that is wonderful.  

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups of milk of your choice (or you can substitute heavy cream or half and half, or do a mixture).
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 8 oz. white chocolate, chopped into small pieces (or white chocolate chips)**
  • whipped cream or marshmallows for topping

NOTE: White chocolate and vanilla can irritate some IC sufferers, tread carefully!

 

TIP: Use real vanilla extract or homemade vanilla extract (click here to see my recipe).
DIRECTIONS:

  1. Stir together milk, vanilla, and chopped white chocolate in a medium saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer.  (Do not let it come to a bowl).  *I just got the mixture very hot, I didn’t simmer it. 
  3. Remove from heat and serve immediately.  Top with whip cream or marshmallows, if desired.