Monday, December 9, 2013

The Friday Friends and Mexican Pizza

I know that my blog has an interesting name.  A name/title that no one gets, because there are no 'friends' writing posts every week. There is only me. 

Long before I knew what a blog was, I had a group e-mail forum that included my friends from near and far...and originally I would ask them a question on Fridays, cut and paste their answers and  share with all.

So there is the history of my name.  Well, not MY name, (that would be 1950's Debbie Reynolds popularity) but rather my blog's name.  It started as a joke, when I thought that only they would be reading this blog.  Now, over 800 posts later, a few other people do read my blog.
It's nice to have made other friends thru this.  But too late to change my name (my blog's name ) to something catchy like " Debbie's Dishes"  or  "Dining with Debbie" or even "Debbie is a hot dish".   Okay, we can leave the last one out, but you know what I mean....you are stuck with the Friday Friends.

I have about 50 of my closest friends on the e-mail forum.  At first, most of them didn't know each other, (they knew me) but over the past 15 years, we've answered and shared silly--and serious---questions,  exchanged Secret Santa Christmas gifts,  had a dieting contest in which we paid a $1 a week and that money went to a scholarship fund for a Friday Friends son's memorial scholarship, and we went on a great vacation for my 52 birthday.
AND,  we contributed recipes for a cookbook.

I was looking at the cookbook the other night and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog."
The Handyman--who knows me better than I know myself (this happened to be a question on the Friday Friend forum once---does your spouse/partner know you better than you know yourself?)--said,  "you'll never, EVER do that."

WELL---maybe I'll show him!  Maybe I will.
Maybe I'll start with these little Mexican Pizzas!




They are wonderful and very tasty little Mexican Pizzas and they were submitted by my friend in California, Traci Marques.
I met Traci the first day of my job as an aide at the elementary school where I had just gotten a job.  We had just moved to CA from NV and I didn't know anybody, they sent Traci and I to get a TB test, and I had no money. (I didn't realize I was being sent a the time) so she loaned me the $10.
It was a great way to begin a friendship!  (I hope I paid her back)
That was over 20 years ago and I have since moved back to NV, but Traci and I email each other every day...sometimes all day long, as we both are alone in our offices in front of the computer.  

Thanks Traci for these Mexican pizzas.  We really enjoyed them a lot.
The Handyman still doesn't think I'll make every recipe in the Friday Friend Cookbook.  We'll see.

Now you dear reader.....should make these if you are looking for something tasty, quick and really easy.   Everyone at my table  (Handyman, son, daughter-in-law) said they were a keeper.






Mexican Pizza
My friend Traci Marques via the Friday Friend Cookbook

1 lb chorizo or pork sausage (I used pork sausage)
3/4 cup salsa
4 ready made mini-pizza crusts (like Boboli)
1 can refried beans 
2 cups shredded cheese
2 chopped tomatoes
shredded lettuce
broken tortilla chips
ranch dressing

Brown chorizo or sausage. Add salsa and simmer 5 minutes.  Put crusts on foiled pan (I just sprayed my pans with Pam) Spread the beans on pizza crust, add meat mixture on top, then cheese (about  1/2 cup on each). 
Bake at 350 for  10-12 minutes.
Top with the last 4 ingredients.

** while we did do this exactly as written, my family will exchange the ranch for hot sauce next time, but that is the only substitution this recipe should have, and then, only if you like things real spicy.  
It was good just as it was.





If you are still reading....would you say that your  spouse or partner knows you better than you know yourself?

and

how long did you think about and how much effort did you put into giving your blog a name/title?


an update:  (I decided I should put a picture with a name.)
Traci Marques--a Friday Friends  and her husband, Larry.




6 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I'd use hot sauce too. Those do look easy and delicious!

My blog name doesn't suit either but I figure I'm stuck with it.

Karen said...

Although I like hot sauce, I think the Ranch sounds good with this. As to the questions, I don't know who knows me best. Ha! And I created my blog one day from first thought to finish in about 10 minutes, so I came up with the very original Karen Cooks. I wish I'd have thought more about it to come up with something different.

Tina said...

Wow – what a post! I like your posts because it’s like talking to someone, having a conversation. We have never met but I know what you look like (from your photos here) and I know we like the same books and food. ( OK, except spicy, I can’t abide that, my tummy rebels!) This is a very cool goal for the new year to cook everything out of your Friday Friends cookbook. Go for it!!!

Ok, to answer your question: my husband definitely knows me better than I know myself. We have been together over 30 years and it seems like a fleeting moment since we met and became a couple. It also feels like we have been together forever (but in a good way) so that is a time conundrum for sure. He’s my heart and soul and he knows my thoughts, inclinations and whether I will finish a goal I tackle before I know what will happen. It’s amazing. It’s all good.

My blog name came up from the gifts our now deceased cat used to bring. He was a mighty hunter and we would have more squirrel heads littering the porch than I had patience to bag and dispose. With surgical precision he’s slice the face from a squirrel and gift us. I never thought anyone would even read my blog so, the name was a whim.

Susan Lindquist said...

These DO look like keepers! I am a huge fan of fast and tasty! Ranch dressing atop sounds perfect too!

Michelle B said...

Oh, I'm making these! They look fantastic, Ms. Hot Dish.

My husband does know me better than I know myself. But I still don't listen to him. I didn't think very long or put in much effort into the name of my blog. My husband came up with it. (ok...maybe I listened to him on that one.)

Tina-I have always wondered about the origin of your blog's name!

Unknown said...

This is awesome , Looks wonderful. I've seen so many delicious versions of this cauliflower crust, I really do need to try it eventually! This looks just perfect - a wonderful twist on a classic pizza...Visit More

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