Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Half-Baked

Along with all the other other exciting changes going on in our lives right now - moving back to New Orleans, building our first home and a new job for Forrest - I am ready to announce the most exciting change of all. We are expecting our first child and today I am officially half-baked! I am 20 weeks pregnant and find out the sex tomorrow. It has been a very smooth journey so far and I am hoping for a similar 20 weeks on the back end of this pregnancy. Both Forrest and I are elated with the pending arrival of our future foodie and we can't wait to meet our new little one. Stay tuned for updates on gender and in the meantime enjoy this perfectly fitting dessert that is only "half baked" just likes its maker.

Strawberry-Kiwifruit Pizza in a Cookie Crust
Adapted from Cooking Light March 2006

Pizza Ingredients
  • 1 (18-ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 (8-ounce) block fat-free cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup Pineapple Curd (Recipe Below)
  • 8 large strawberries, sliced
  • 3 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
Prepare Pinapple Curd:

Curd Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Curd Preparation

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium, heavy saucepan, stirring with a whisk.

Stir in juices and eggs;

bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add butter, stirring gently until butter melts.

Spoon mixture into a medium bowl; cool. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight (the mixture will thicken as it cools).

Pizza Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place cookie dough in a large bowl; knead in coconut until well combined.

Pat dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350° for 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Combine cream cheese and juice in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Spread evenly over prepared crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Spread Pineapple Curd over cream cheese mixture.

Cut into squares. Arrange sliced strawberries and kiwifruit on top of the curd on each square.

Serve immediately.

My Adapted Printable Recipe

21 comments:

Kelsey said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful announcement and a very tasty dessert to go with it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to both of you!

ashley said...

Congrats!!

Page said...

Congrats!!!

Unknown said...

Congrats!! Thats such exciting news...can't wait to hear more details!

Jen said...

Congratulations! Lots of exciting things going on in your life right now!

Suzy Q said...

Congratulations on the exciting news! (Long time lurker, btw.)

Woody said...

You’re pregnant? When were you going to tell me?!?



Just kidding. I found out a few weeks ago.



Joking again. We are so excited about tomorrow and we can't wait to meet our new little baby.

Thanks to everyone for congratulations.

The husband.

Sush said...

Yay! Congratulations, love and happiness to you both and your little beignet to be!
Sush/A New Orleans/Ex=Pat

Tienne said...

Congratulations! What wonderful, wonderful news!

Ange said...

Congratulations! I loved the way you announced the big news!

Jade said...

Congraulations!!! So excited for you! This pizza looks great.

Natalie said...

Congrats, what a fun surprise! :)

Definitely making this sometime--I love fruit pizza and this pineapple curd sounds awesome!

kimberly said...

You are going to be an amazing Mom! Congrats on your upcoming addition.

I highly recommend Motherhood, it's the best job I've ever had (and pays in kisses).

Caroline said...

Congratulations - great announcement! So glad the first half has been good. Need pics of your progress! Miss you.
C

Kerstin said...

Congrats, how exciting!!

MaryBeth said...

YUMM-o...these sound so good and of course look even better. They are picture perfect Elizabeth.

Tiffany said...

Congratulations on your little baba! Blessings always to you and the lil one and the hubbie!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your life is full of change and excitement now. You seem to be thriving on it. I really love this recipe. It convinced me to look through the others on your blog and I really love what I found. You have terrific recipes and the tone of your blog is very inviting. I'll be back. I hope you are having a terrific day. Blessings...Mary

Spryte said...

Congratulations!!!

I love the cute way you announced it!!

Krista said...

How exciting! Congratulations!

This fruit pizza looks SO good!

Here's to a healthy and happy remaining 20 weeks!