Cold Weather Comfort Food

Here's a recipe that I've been thinking about ever since I woke up to a cold, grey, foggy day.

This recipe originated (in my family, anyway. I don't think he actually invented it.) from my firefighter Grandfather, who either learned it at the station, or at least made it for the guys a lot. After he retired, he made it for us kids even more!

Kids love the concept, and no one can get enough of...

Grandpa's Upside Down Pizza

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can or jar (15 oz) pizza sauce
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp oregano (dried)
8 oz grated mozzarella cheese

2 eggs
1 c. milk
1 tbs oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. flour
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

Assembly:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brown the beef with the onion on the stovetop. Pour off the fat. Blend in the pizza sauce, garlic salt and oregano. Place mixture in a greased 9x13 pan and sprinkle with the mozzarella.

In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT for the parmesan, and pour it over the meat mixture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, and bake 30 minutes.

(You can also add mushrooms, bell pepper strips, sausage, or any of your favorite pizza toppings! But I haven't heard of anyone trying it with anchovies...yet!)

My favorite part of this dish is the Parmesan cheese making that salty, slightly crunchy crust on top. The ACTUAL crust is more cake-y than a regular pizza crust, though.

I haven't made this since Matt and I were first married four years ago, but I think today is the day to un-retire this old favorite. I'll try to post a picture when it's done.

(Of course, making this means I have to go to the store first, since I'm out of ground beef, and today is such a GREAT "sit at home and read with a cup of tea and a blanket" day...wish me luck!)

ETA: I just HAD to come back and tell you guys...I made it to the store. When I got home, I realized I forgot to get the ground beef. This is not an uncommon thing in this household. :)