Food is nostalgic, is it not? I often think of my food memories when I making meals at home. I think how I got hooked on certain dishes or the funny experiences that happened during that meal. Most of these memories are good and make me enjoy cooking even more.
That’s when it hit me. I need to share this. No, WE need to share this. Memory Food Monday. Can I make that a button? Would you want to hear stories and share recipes? I think it would make for a Marvelous Monday, right Katie?
I’ll start.
This past weekend I made homemade gluten free pizza. I’ve made several kinds of homemade pizza before. Ones with almond meal crust, corn meal crust, cauliflower crust, socca crust, etc. Each time I make pizza at home with the hubs, I’m reminded of our first pizza making date back in Hawaii.
This was probably 6 or 7 years ago. I had just moved to Hawaii and was staying in one of his dad’s friends Ohana (kinda like a garage apartment). Anyway, James had the night off work/training and we decided we’d go over the coffee farm (his dad’s place), make a pizza and watch a movie. Perfect little date night, right?
This is us back in Hawaii 6 years ago.
Well James had never had homemade pizza before and I was in shock. I insisted we go to the store, gather some fun ingredients, some wine, and get cookin! Now, Kona really only has one store and it’s not cheap. I gathered all my ingredients, James paid, and then we hopped back in the car. There’s also really only one road in Kona, and it’s one lane most of the time. Well, as soon as we started back to the house, my bladder hit. I had to pee so bad! I was hoping we wouldn’t get stuck in traffic and that i could wait till we got back but it got to the point where I just couldn’t hold it, I begged James to make a U turn and pull into the gas station back behind us. Being the sweet guy that he is, he went for, and made a U turn, even though it was illegal. Then boom, just like that, a cop pulled him over. I tried to beg the officer to let him off the hook and that my bladder was going to burst. In fact, I told him I was still holding it and that I needed an escort to the nearest potty. LOL. He didn’t like that.
So James got a $200 and I still had to pee. We got back to the house and bolted to the bathroom. Ahh, sweet relief. I then felt horrible for having him buy so many $$ ingredients and then getting a $200 ticket. I told him I would make it up to him with this pizza, and in fact, I did! We still both remember that pizza. Chicken, spinach, eggplant, goat cheese. YUM! James says it was most expensive homemade pizza he ever had. Haha, I agree.
But the night wasn’t over. He still had to take me home (back to my ohana). It was late, dark, and we were tired. And then it happened. Locked out, no key, and no one home. We tried to call Gerry (the owner) but he did not answer. We searched for spares and found nothing. We had one last option. Try to find a window that was open. James hoisted me up the back window, I pushed off the screen, and violently gently nudged it open. Break in Success!
A night of breaking the law, and all for one MEMORABLE homemade pizza!
| Gluten Free Tostada Pizza |
- Gluten Free corn tortillas (white, yellow, or blue corn)
- 2/3 cup tomato paste
- protein of choice (i used chicken sausage but beef, tempeh, tofu, shrimp, etc. all work)
- 1 cup sliced zucchini
- 1 cup sliced bell pepper
- spinach leaves
- 2/3 cup cheese (I use almond cheese, but parmesan, or vegan daiya cheese is also tasty)
- Red pepper chili flakes
- oregano
- oil
- OPTIONAL Vegan topping: I like to use this to make it more savory. Blend 1/2 cup walnuts with nutritional yeast or brewers yeast, add in other seasoning like garlic, etc. Sprinkle on top of pizza when done
- First, sautee your veggies in a skillet with a little olive oil. Add some black pepper and sea salt. Don’t over cook them, you want them just a little soft. Set them aside. Then use that skillet to cook your meat if it’s not already cooked.
- Place your tortillas on a cookie sheet. Add a bit of oil and tomato paste to each. Then place your your veggies and meat evenly on each. Add your cheese and then bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes. Then broil for the last 1-2 minutes to make it extra crispy!
- To finish, add your red pepper flakes and optional walnut/herb topping.
- Enjoy!
What’s your Memory Food this Monday?
Cheers,
LC
{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
Aw- that’s a great story and memory! We’re actually having homemade pizza for dinner tonight, so I’ll think of you guys when I’m enjoying!
Abby @ Change of Pace recently posted..Logic vs insanity – it’s all for fun
oh that makes me happy! Enjoy! taper week, yes?
Yes! That’s why I have time to make homemade pizza
Aww! That is so bad but such an amusing memory… now! heh
Thank you
Amy recently posted..Moods
yes, now it’s amusing. haha.
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
Oh so cute. Loved reading this story. =)
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Be The 1st To Experience Columbia Omni-Freeze ZERO – Giveaway
i’m sure you have many too, and creating more in AZ, yes?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
You know it!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Who Uses Watches Anymore?
OMGosh, what a funny story to look back on,( less funny at the time maybe?)! Seriously you got me giggling:). I also sympathised with your toilet situation – when a girls gotta go, a girls gotta go!
The pizza from 6/7 years ago, & this pizza both sound delicious:)!
Xxx
oh totally! but pizza made it all better. LOL!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What a cute story of you and the hubs! I’m sure you both didn’t think so at the time, but I loved reading it.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..The 23 Calorie Workout
it was quite funny. gotta love those stories, eh?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
AW! I love this theme!! Such a fun way to remember seemingly small moments from your history together, you know? A LOT of our own memories as a couple revolve around food too..it IS the quickest way to a guy’s heart, is it not?? One of the main reasons I like making chicken stir fry in the winter with Scott is because it was the FIRST meal he cooked for me when we were dating. (aww) and even tho the flavors and style of stir fry we make today might be different than that day years ago, it still brings me rushing right back to that moment
Jess recently posted..How did we get here?!
oh i love that! maybe you should have stir fry before your big 26!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
memorable pizza, indeed!
one of the fun memories Jason and I have is on our first Valentines date together… we were driving to Seattle for an event up there, and we had to stop for gas. we were hungry and the event wasn’t for a few more hours, so we each got a corn dog! he joked that this was our “Valentines Night Out”…
that guy is still my favorite Valentine. it was a pretty tasty corn dog, too!
Kris recently posted..caperberry cocktail party
oh and now i want a corn dog. double date next valentines day?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
I love this story so much! I actually have a Fun Facts Friday post planned around food memories. Great minds think alike huh
I’ll be linking back to this one for sure. It’s really amazing the memories we can tie back to foods, meals, dinners out.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Fun Facts Friday – Recipes to Try
oh i can’t wait to read it. Let’s get Friday here already!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
Looks SOO good. Yum.
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Lack of Sleep = Poor Food Decisions.
oh trust me, it was!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
that is such a cute picture of you two. i’m having pizza tonight!!
christina recently posted..Healthy Eating Tips For Dining Out
you are? Chick-fila makes pizza? haha jk
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
hahahah!!! that is SO FUNNY you said that. i got pizza and you know where i went for ice cream? chick-fil-a. i am the worst!!!
christina recently posted..Healthy Eating Tips For Dining Out
What a wonderful memory!!! I love it! When Luvy and I first met, I had never eaten anything ethnic at all… not even Mexican! Now, I’m such a foodie. It is so strange how much I have changed!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..MIMM #12
oh man, good thing you met Luvy. Mexican is too good to miss out on. Love you friend, are you doing well?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
I am!! Miss you though.
E-mail coming your way soon!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..MIMM #12
Aww what a great memory! I feel like everyone has a ton of memories surrounding food since humans eat all the time! I know I do, ha ha. Homemade pizza is the best
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile recently posted..Chobani Dinner
oh i want to hear one Britt. Maybe i can post it this month! email me a story.
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What a great idea! I think a weekly installment is brewing in this idea! LOVED the story…what a great memory and thanks for sharing it with us.
If I’m connecting this to your “love” story, my food memory with Mikey is slurpees – what can I say, I’m a cheap date! 
We’d drive in his beat up but amazing VW van and get them after climbing nights or when we just wanted to get off campus and tool around together. Fun memories that we still indulge in the summers together!
But wine and homemade pizza? …the best. Gotta give your recipe a shot this week! I’ve been craving some healthier, homemade pizza and I think this hits all my criteria. Now, if only I carve out the time to make it! …
Bonnie recently posted..Weekend Fun
oh do it bonnie. its super easy and fast! How about i bring over some wine and then we all go get slurpees? hehe. James loves slurpees!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What a great story! I love how food and memories are so intertwined. I was roasting some beets recently and remembering how the only time I ever ate them growing up was at Thanksgiving and I only ate them because I got them mixed up with the cranberry sauce (which I also only had once a year). Strange memory….but that’s what popped into my head when you asked.
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} recently posted..Avocado pineapple salsa
oh holidays, they do bring good food memories. I bet you love beets now though.
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What a lovely story this is Lindsay… a great memory and yes, food definitely brings us back to a certain time in our lives!
Tessa at Amazing Asset recently posted..HLS- A Different Look
and hopefully you make some more good food memories soon, eh?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What an ADORABLE memory, Lindsay! How rude of that officer! I was trying to think of a memorable Monday for the meal we just had…burgers on Hawaiian buns with roasted veggies, but my memories weren’t nearly that memorable! OH! I guess it reminds me of when we were in CO and grabbed burgers at Whole Foods, and we cooked them while watching the sun set over the mountains. Yeeeaaaah
maybe we all need to go back to the mountains and have a burger. Sounds good to me!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
I love this story!! what fun, despite all that huh? And that pizza looks divine and I am sure you have memory after memory every time you make it
jobo recently posted..Lake-a-shun. Lake-ation. Lakation….Part Deux!
what was your food memory with M?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
I’ve had some awesome pizza, but I don’t think any of it came with such a cool story. I can’t believe that cop didn’t let you guys go!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Overachieving Cauliflower Crust Pizza
i know, i almost peed on him too. LOL. Love that cauliflower pizza crust by the way!
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
What a wonderful and happy story, I just loved this so much!!! Don’t you love memories like that?
Food can really bring people together!
Alexandra recently posted..Flexin with Dana Linn Bailey
i know, so fun!! Tell me, what’s one you’ve had in college? anything fun?
LCCotter recently posted..Memory Food Monday
Hmmm I guess my favorite one in college so far has been at olive garden with some of my best friends– we all got seafood pasta and when we got back to the dorms, we had a dance party haha
I love that story and the idea! I have soooooo many wonderful food memories…makes me smile just thinking of a few right now
And that pizza looks awesome. I just bought some sprouted tortillas not knowing what I’d do with them… so thank you!
greengirlrunning recently posted..CIM Training Week 3
Oh my gosh best story ever. And probably most expensive pizza ever too
Stories make food and food make stories all the better.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Summer’s last hurrah
Oooh I love food memories! (and great story/memory btw!)
If we’re talking pizza, it would have to be the friday night pizza/movie nights with my family as a kid! Picking up the pizza at our local joint where they had an old school pacman arcade game for us to play while we waited. Also, holding that hot, HOT pizza box on your legs during the drive home anxiously awaiting to get that first piece
Kierston recently posted..Staycation: FUn, Fitness, Food!
oh pacman!! I miss that game. And the hot pizza on the lap is priceless.
haha, what a story, not sure if I have a story to top that.
love that picture of you two from Hawaii! so pretty
purelymichelle recently posted..our fitness motivation quotes lately
i bet you have some fun stories with you niece, right? xxoo
Aw, what a cute story! I totally associate different foods with memories. I think the smell of certain foods cooking is really what I associate with different events and times in my life.
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Book Review: It Starts With Food
yes, like fresh baked cookies, bread, and anything yummy. Childhood.
I love that story! We made pizza tonight, too. But I would never think of it on a corn tortilla. Great idea!
Molly@gfreelifestyle.blogspot.com recently posted..Gluten Free Barbecued Pizza
oh try it out molly! and let me know whatcha think.
what a lovely story! foods do hold memories of times, places, and the people we share it with! i think watermelon has the biggest memory place card for me – summer, grass, cool breezes, and laughter!
Tianna recently posted..MIMM Floating on Clouds
oh yes, watermelon. summertime memories for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this story, Lindsay! What a hilarious date you two had! It’s usually the most crazy and stressful situations in life that make the funniest memories, isn’t it?! I’ve actually had several “desperation pee” moments on dates, so I know the feeling (fortunately they’ve never resulted in tickets! knock on wood
) I LOVE the idea of memory food Monday! If I come up with something to share, should I send it to you, or will there be a linkup here?
Huge hugs! xoxoxo
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish recently posted..Healthy Living, Hugging and Eating in Boston!
oh please do. Email it to me. i want to try and do a link up but i don’t know how. hahaha
That is an awesome story. Despite the expenses, it sounds like it was a really fun date! That picture of you two is adorable. I love that food brings back memories!!!
Jess recently posted..Acne Elimination Diet Update
it was, we always laugh at that one. oh good times!
Oh my heavens!! That is the WORST. I would have told the cop I have to get out and pee on the side of the road.
What a cute story, haha.
I was actually looking around this weekend for a homemade pizza recipe, hadn’t thought about gluten free. Great idea!
i almost did. like i almost wet my pants.
Memories are all we have in life and so many great ones to reflect on! I say it would make a good button and theme
Love you!
katie recently posted..Spiderman Was Here
Your story is so awesome and hilarious! With my luck that would happen to me LOL! Food memories always involve my family especially my Mom. I think about all the Hawaiian food she made growing up for us & all the baked goods and such. Love my family
… Good memories!
did you guys ever make the Brazil donuts? Or the spam and eggs and rice? LOL I remember always seeing the spam on sale at costco there.
What a fantastic memory! Whether good or bad
I agree food/meals usually has a story or memory. Also, smells! I was talking about that this wknd…smells can trigger a memory. Can you please come cook for me!?
klh recently posted..Picture Drop
yes, i know. I smelled the rain last night, reminded me of walking to school early in the morning after the rain. ahh, such fun times. Yes, i will come cook. make me room ready.
LOVE reading about your first date. I think I’ll do a post like that this year on the anniversary of our first date. Coming up on 3 years (officially, but it feels like so much longer).
Calee recently posted..Tuesday Tutes + Loot #2: 4 Years, 4 Days of Giveaways
i would LOVE to hear this. let me know you are gonna post it. What meal did you eat?
A Dong. Sorry I had to be dirty. That’s the restaurant name. It’s vietnamese. It depends what you count as our first date actually.
(first date in my head — Oct. 29, 2008) British pub. He had fish and chips, I had the beet, goat cheese and arugula salad (that he picked out for me). Went to a wine bar afterwards and shared a glass of port. (did I mention i wasn’t single then? … we were just friends … in a Pacey and Joey sort of way)
First date in his head — Oct. 29, 2009 (no joke): A Dong’s Vietnamese. He drove to Des Moines from Ames (30 mins south) and came to meet me at my apartment to watch a movie. We ordered dinner and by the end of the night we decided to be an “official” couple.
First offical official date — Oct. 30, 2009: Fong’s Pizza and The Lift (chinese pizza and martinis) in Des Moines.
Calee recently posted..Tuesday Tutes + Loot #2: 4 Years, 4 Days of Giveaways
This was so fun to read! cute story
sorry bout that dang ticket..cops suck. I tried to cry my way out of one once and it so did not work. I absolutely love thin crust pizza so this tostada version is PERFECT. Happy Tuesday 
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition recently posted..Marvelous Monday – Weekend Style
i tried to cry too! but i think i was crying cause i had to pee so bad. LOL
What a great story! Although sorry James got a ticket! My all time favorite food memory revolves around spaghetti. When I was growing up my Dad would about once a month throw for my brother and me a “rock n roll” dinner. He would make a big pot of spaghetti and would blast rock music. We would eat and dance and sing into hair brushes for hours! It was so much fun!!!
oh man, i bet that was a blast! we used to have spaghetti wars at our house. who could slurp the loudest. lOL
What a great idea for a post! Love hearing random fun stories
fabulous looking pizza too, I’m sure it was somewhat worth it all! That was some crazy night…
I am extremely jealous you lived in Hawaii! I’m counting down the days until we go for our vacation at the end of September to Maui… we’ve been to the islands every year for the last 4 years
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted..I May Not Be Fast, But I AM a Runner – Confessions of a Runner’s Wife
oh enjoy Maui!! it’s so different from Kona, but still, just peaceful!
I know I will… we’ve been many times, it’s like a second home
we vacationed on the Big Island about a year and a half ago, so completely different! That’s what I love about the islands, so unique to each other. James must have been training a lot there, it seems like the triathletes haven!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted..I May Not Be Fast, But I AM a Runner – Confessions of a Runner’s Wife
Wow, he sure must have been head over heels for you : ) What a memory!!
I have so many memories associated with food, some good, some not so much. Oh, eating disorders…
Anyhoo, I have a delicious grain-free pizza crust recipe. I’ll e-mail it to you!
Nicole
Nicole recently posted..And the Winner Is…..
i am hoping this helps bring back all the good, yes?
LC. I LOVE THIS. This is the sweetest story and memory. Its so true I have so many memories associated with food. The first that popped in my head was tapioca and dr. pepper. So simple but the 2 things I would ALWAYS look forward to at my sweet grandmother’s house when I was little! Have a good day!
ok, now i need a story with this!!
i love this story! and you are so right food links us with so many memories. i love this picture of you too. you look so young
i have a pic of Bill and I that reminds me of this……i would love to do these posts on monday 
kalli recently posted..Boot Camp at Home
i know, i felt like we were babies here. Email me a story and recipe! i would love to feature it!
I love this idea! It’s funny … so many memories I have are things I would not eat today….perhaps I need to look into that….
Ps- You know the “go around the room and introduce yourself and say one interesting thing….” deal?
Well this could be one of you interesting things….”I once broke the law for pizza.”
i know, i think we need to look back at food memories and embrace them. It would be our challenge. LIke cereal for me. LOL. but really, i’d eat ice cream before cereal. Is that odd? It’s a fear thing, cause it made me sick before. Oh the things that hold us back. Argh.
and i am so using that icebreaker line.
Hahaha! Most expensive pizza ever! I love it! Pizza is a huge thing for us too. We make it homemade every Friday for date night in. I remember the first time we made it together just after we were married… such special and sweet memories.
Rach recently posted..Some days life isn’t so rosy…
it’s such a young couples dish, yes? love it!
this was such a cute story!!!! haha pizza always reminds me of when i was younger and my parents would go out on friday nights – it was ALWAYS pizza from this specific place! so cute that you guys made your own pizza – obvi it worked
julie recently posted..the goleans take over gettysburg.
it did work, like a charm. that or the wine.
This is my most favorite post of yours. I just love it! Food memories are the best!!
Allie recently posted..Aquathlon
oh i can’t wait to hear about one of yours with jimmy!