i am a food blog

When an email popped into my inbox proclaiming “OMG! It’s How Sweet’s Invisible Internet Friends Baby Shower!” it was hard not to get excited. I’m incredibly happy for Jessica (a dear friend and sweetheart), who has had a whirlwind of a year with her new book and soon, her new baby. A ton of people are on board to celebrate the best way we know how, so I hope you wore your stretchy pants! Settle in and get ready to look at some awesomely sparkly, trashed-up, oh-so-sweet Jessica inspired food.

When I think about Jessica I definitely think about pizza, grilled cheese, and bacon. So, I came up with a bacon, grilled cheese pizza with crispy bacon bits and a gooey grilled cheese sandwich cut up into tiny squares.

It’s actually one of my favourite things to do for people – crafting their perfect meal. I have one of those weird memories that ALWAYS remembers your food likes and dislikes (even if I’ve only met you for a moment or two). I’ve been told that it’s a little freaky, so I keep the observations to myself. If I ever meet you, this is kind of what goes on in my head: ooh, she ate a second olive. She must like olives. But, huh, she’s not going for a third. She just likes olives, but she doesn’t love them. Based on that, if this imaginary person ever came over, I definitely wouldn’t serve them something olive centric, but I might have olives with drinks before dinner.

Jessica is a fan of olives, by the way. But, there aren’t any olives on this pizza. Instead, it’s what I think of as a kid’s dream: gooey grilled cheese squares, crispy bacon bits, and tomato slices for a hint of the classic combo of tomato soup and grilled cheese. I know Jessica LOVES white pizzas, but the tomato added just the right amount of oomph. Sliced green onions were tossed on for a bit of color and added brightness. I was really happy with how this came out. So happy I made it twice!

I wish we all could be eating this giant baby shower feast together, but since we can’t, I hope you guys get a chance to try out all of the recipes. Happiest of baby showers to Jessica!

Grilled Cheese Pizza Recipe
makes 1 pizza

• 1 ball no-knead pizza dough
• drizzle of olive oil
• 1 small tomato, sliced
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese, divided
• 3-4 slices bacon, chopped and cooked until crisp
• 1 grilled cheese, cut into small squares
• sliced green onions, to garnish

Arrange a rack in middle of oven and preheat to its hottest setting, 500°F–550°F.

Gently shape dough on an oiled baking sheet. Top the pizza with a slight sprinkling of cheese, the sliced tomatoes and a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground pepper. Place in the oven to bake for 8-10 minutes, or until puffy and slightly brown. Remove from the oven and immediately top with the bacon bits, grilled cheese squares and remaining cheese.

Put the pizza back in the oven and bake until the cheese melts and the bottom of the crust is crisp and top is blistered. Remove from the oven, top with sliced green onions, slice and enjoy immediately.

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