Is it just me or are people in particularly bad moods this week? Here in Boston it could have something to do with the drab rainy weather we've been experiencing every day. Or maybe it's all the political heat in the air. Or perhaps it's just me and my temporary commute. Since I'm dog-sitting for Mitzi, I'm back to my old Green Line commute. For those of you who don't live in Boston, the Green Line is most definitely known as the worst line when it comes to the MBTA. Always crowded and uncomfortable and always slow, with no explanation of why it takes 15 minutes to get from one stop to the next. Basically my idea of HELL. I took the Green Line for 7 years before moving in July to the Orange Line. While the Orange Line can be sketchy as all get-out, there are a few things it does well, like a) move and b) move quickly. Important when it comes to commuting, you know. Being back on the Green Line for a couple weeks makes me appreciate my new commute so much more. For a little perspective, I used to live 4 miles from work and it took me at least 45 minutes to get there. Now I live 6 miles and it takes me no more than 20 minutes.
Every morning this week I've had to either watch as the first T went by too packed for anyone to fit on or had to squeeze myself on and stand pressed against the door and lots of strangers without an inch of breathing room. One day, a man flipped out at my T driver and called him a "D-Bag" and yelled at him, "You suck at your job!" Another morning, a woman flipped out on the T driver for the MBTA not having enough Ts out during rush hour (true, but not the driver's fault). Oh and yesterday, the girl next to me ate a ketchup sandwich at 7:45 in the morning. Not the best smell when it's 90 degrees on the T and you can't even turn your head away.
When I arrive at work each morning, I already feel riddled with stress and anger toward mankind. No wonder Bostonians are not known for being a friendly bunch. In any event, a dinner like this is just what the doctor ordered. You know you should be healthy and eat a salad, but are really craving pizza. You want a tasty bite to eat, but don't have the energy or mental capacity to follow a recipe step-by-step. It's an easily-solvable predicament. Grab your favorite crust (or mine… Mine is wonderful), throw some toppings on, pop it in the oven, and decompress. After the day you've had, you need it.
I topped my Mini Greek Salad Pizzas with arugula despite the fact that seeing all the green just made me think of the Green Line, which makes my blood start to boil. Yeesh. Maybe it's me who's the grumpy one!
Mini Greek Salad Pizza (makes 6 minis):
Print this recipe!
- ½ recipe for favorite pizza or flatbread dough
- ¼ C olive oil
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- ½ red onion, sautéed
- 1 bunch cherry (or plum) tomatoes, quartered
- ½ C kalamata olives, sliced
- 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 C arugula
- 2 T lemon juice
(pre-heat oven to 450 degrees)
I'm a big fan of this combination because it's basically the opposite of rocket science. You can do whatever you want and add as much or as little of the ingredients. Go with your heart. It won't steer you wrong.
Roll out dough thinly (½ of my flatbread recipe allows for 6 little pizzas) into a little personal pizza size.
Brush olive oil on, sprinkle red pepper flakes on and start layering on toppings. I went with sautéed onions and quartered tomatoes first.
Then layered on the olives and feta cheese.
Put the mini pizzas on a pizza stone or foil-covered pan and pop them a 450 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.
I love the pretty colors of these pizzas. And the fact that you get your own so there's no need to share.
Though the pizzas were almost perfect as is, I wanted to add on a bunch of arugula for good measure. And health and all that. But most importantly for taste and a nice bite. What's a salad without some kind of green, after all?
I also squeezed lemon over the top for an extra little kick. There's no dressing on this Greek salad, but lemon gives it a bit of a more Mediterranean feel!
The personal size is also great to prevent yourself from overeating. But perhaps it could be dangerous if you're home alone and have 6 mini pizzas in front of you. Remember, think of these as pizzas and not slices.
Or whatever. You've had a rough day. And an obnoxious commute. You deserve 6 nice large "slices" of pizza!
I'm not an enabler, I promise. I just want you to be happy. These pizzas will make you happy.
Now that it's Thursday, I'm hopeful the general public will have a little more pep in their step and will turn their frowns upside down. Myself included. Please, no yelling at T drivers first thing in the morning because of the horribly flawed MBTA system. I can't take the early-morning stress. Just let me sit in peace with my book (I'm finally reading Outlander and am almost done… though I'm pretty sure the book is contributing to my daily stress instead of helping it… And someone let me know, should I read the sequels?). It's happy thoughts of a giant mug of coffee when I get to my desk that power me through. And the imminent Friday. Hello, long weekend ahead!
Does your commute stress you out or help you prepare for the day ahead?
[Sues]
Michelle Collins says
I just bookmarked your pizza dough recipe - thanks! And my commute is OK...the only bad part is getting out of Somerville (I take 93N). Once I'm on the highway, it's easy!
Ashley says
Greek salad flavors and pizza - that's a brilliant combination! My commute is only 15 minutes of driving on the highway, but I'm constantly amazed by the sheer stupidity of some people when in a car. It definitely makes my blood pressure rise.
Lexi says
I'm late more often than not, so my morning commute isn't nornally very good...but in the evening, I usually just read a bit. It's fairly short, as commutes go, so I can't complain too much!
Nicole says
Looks delicious, as usual! And yes, keep reading!!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
Oh man.. the green line. Ugh. You totally deserve more than one "slice" of this awesome pizza after that commute!
Gia Grossman says
If I had the dough ready I would so be having this for dinner tonight. Pretty!
peachkins says
We're also in sort of a bad mood here with a political issue... great pizza recipe!
Barbara says
I'd be in a bad mood too if I had to go through that every day!!
Love your idea of pizza! A nice healthy one.
Shannon says
these look incredible! and yes, the green line is aweful. so glad to be on the red now 😉 i'm up in your new hood this weekend to dogsit myself, any places i need to try out?
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
These look so good! I love Greek salad flavors...in fact, I have a Greek salad for lunch today!
I take the Path train to Manhattan on my commute - it is always a nightmare. So crowded, people pushing for seats, etc. The highlight is that I then have a nice 12 block walk to the office through Greenwich Village & Soho which definitely gives me a little destress time 🙂
Mary Likes to Cook says
I love these, I make them all the time on an english muffin and add hummus.
Mary says
These look wonderful and they are a very healthy approach to pizza. I love your recipe. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary
Dara @how_to_eat says
These look fantastic! Love the salad on pizza idea! I've done a hummus base with salad on top. And definitely prepping the night before makes the communte less stressfull. This lunch would also make any day much better!
Susan says
Bad days call for comfort food! Pizza would be my choice too. Your version is much more healthy than the usual and a great way to unwind. I've noticed lots of bad mood drivers recently!
Reeni says
Aww I really hope you enjoy your weekend after that! I don't blame you one bit for craving pizza! Love the Greek salad twist! Genius.
Joanne says
When I tutored, most of my clients were on the green line. And yeah...it pretty much sucked. I'd definitely crave pizza on those days that I had to tutor...so these pizzas would have come in handy!
Susan says
I was JUST looking for a pizza recipe! This looks awesome, especially after a week like that - which I can totally relate to.
Kerstin says
The argula on top really freshens up the pizza - great idea! Yeah, people aren't super friendly here, especially while commuting. People always offered me a seat when I was pregnant though, which I didn't expect, but was really nice.
Cherie says
I just cracked up at your T comments - Before I moved to the North End, I used to take the T from Brighton to the Financial District every morning (B line!!!!) so I know your pain like no other (and I don't miss it EVER!). The ketchup sandwich part was my fave! 🙂
Megan says
I'm so with you on the green line. I am so glad I no longer need to take it. I do sit in the car while Jeff drives for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours every morning and evening now, but it's so much better than being on the green line for 45 minutes. (Plus, we get our house next week, so once we've fixed it up a little, we'll be able to move in and only have a 15-minute commute!) Oh, and the pizzas look delicious... I love that you made minis.