Kitchen Challenged

1/2 pound frozen sausage, brown rice, two packages ramen noodles, red pepper, Poblano, red onion, green onion, garlic, ginger, cilantro, lettuce, carrots, buttermilk, sour cream, a variety of cheeses, peanuts, lime, grapefruit, celery, chicken stock

The challenge of creating something unexpected from a nearly empty pantry is one that always leaves me feeling a little smug especially when something wonderful comes out of thin air.  Yesterday I quizzed family and friends about what they would make with the ingredients in my kitchen, and I got several fun answers.  I settled on a Thai-style noodle salad.

The sausage was frying in some sesame oil, the vegetables prepped, and water was boiling.  I grabbed the ramen noodles and saw the expiration date: February 2009.  Oj. 

New plan.  I measured out 2 cups of boiling water and set it back on the burner, found the rice and saw that it also was expired although by only a few months.  Horror and fright do not adequately describe my reaction to the bugs that floated to the top of the pot.  I guess that's what I get for using expired organic rice. Heeby jeebies eeewww eeewww eeewww.

New plan.  A pizza dough (thanks to Ms. Cuisineart) rose quickly on the opened oven door (oven set to warm) and by 7:30 we were enjoying a Thai pizza. 

And yes, I felt a little smug.

Thai Pizza
2-3 generous servings

1 pizza crust
1/2 pound sausage
Sesame oil
3 tablespoons plum sauce
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 inch ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon Penzey's Peppercream seasoning
1/3 cup shaved Parmesan
1/4 cup carrots
1/4 cup red onion
1/2 cup mozzarella
1/2 cup red pepper
1/4 cup Poblano
1/4 cup green onion
Cilantro, chopped peanuts, crushed pepper, lime

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Fry sausage in sesame oil; add ginger and garlic and saute about 30 seconds. Add plum sauce and teriyaki and remove from heat. Chop vegetables.

Combine sour cream, buttermilk, and Peppercream seasoning; spread over crust. Top with Parmesan, carrots, and red onion. Bake 10 minutes.

Top hot pizza with mozzarella and vegetables; return to oven and bake additional 20 minutes or until cheeses are melted and crust is crisp. Serve with cilantro, peanuts, pepper, and lime wedges.