{sausage, tomato and goat cheese pizza}

So, it has been a little over two weeks of doing the locavore challenge. We have really enjoyed taking the steps to eat locally grown foods and have learned a few things in doing so. First of all, forget about meal planning for the week when heading to the market. I am hoping this will change as the harvest comes in and the weather gets warmer, but so far our options have been very limited. What we've had to do is basically take stock of what we have on hand and then while at the market plan our meals. Its been fun and challenging as we are not entirely sure what will be on the menu.

Another thing that has happened as a result of the challenge is that we really have discovered whats been hiding in our freezer and pantry. Everything in there is down to slim pickings as I've used most of it to make or supplement our meals. It will at least make moving a lot simpler!

In doing all of this, we have actually been less tempted to eat out because the meals that we do end up making always sound so delicious. Also by eating locally we've decreased the amount of money we've spent on both groceries and eating out. It will be interesting to see if that continues as more fruits and veggies become available. We have found that the most expensive items to buy are the locally grown, grass fed meat products. It makes complete sense and we are happy to spend the money knowing that the animals have been treated like they are supposed to be and they haven't been pumped full of hormones. It has also caused us to get more creative in how we might stretch the use of that meat. All in all, its been exciting so far and I can't wait to have more options than lettuce and butternut squash...although I do heart the butternut squash.

Pizza recipe and pics after the jump

{sausage, tomato and goat cheese pizza}

ingredients

hot italian sausage
2 large ripe tomatoes
goat cheese
basil
garlic powder
olive oil
5 sheets of phyllo dough or make your own pizza dough (phyllo is what I had on hand)

directions

Preheat the oven to 375ª.

Cook the sausage until done in a frying pan on the stove and crumble into small pieces.

Meanwhile, on large cookie sheet, place your dough and brush with olive oil. Slice the tomatoes and place in rows leaving about an inch or so around the border of your crust. Sprinkle or crumble the goat cheese onto each tomato. Add sausage and top everything with a few dashes of basil and a garlic powder (don't over do it on the garlic powder!).

Place in oven and cook for 15 minutes until dough is crispy and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!