Champion league final, homemade pizza and blueberry cheesecake

Yesterday was the final of the champions league, we invited some friends over to our place and had a nice evening with some healthy snack, homemade pizza and delicious desert.

My husband is a big fan of FC Barcelona, by age of four he got his first Barca shirt and yesterday it was Pablo wearing the same shirt for the finals.
We had a very lovely evening, with nice company, delicious food and Barca winning the final (of course!!). Pizza seemed to be the best choice for such occasion, the blueberry cheesecake was rather a spontaneous inspiration, as I had some fresh berries at my hand and a package of mascarpone cheese...

Healthy finger food starters

• carrots
• bell paprika
• cucumber

Cut them all in sticks

Yogurt dip

• Greek natural yogurt
• salt, pepper, olive oil
• fresh mint leaves
• fresh coriander leaves

In a bowl mix together yogurt, salt, pepper and olive oil. Chop fine the coriander and mint leaves and add to the yogurt. 

Pizza dough

• 1 package dry yeast
• 400 ml warm water
• 600 g flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 salt
• olive oil

Put some of the warm water in a big bowl, add the yeast and the sugar, mix briefly and let it stand for 5-10 minutes, till the mixture becomes foamy and smells like yeast. Add the remaining water, salt, olive oil and about 400 g flour, knead and add the remaining flour as you go. The dough shall still soft, but not too sticky. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let is raise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or double in size

Pizza tomato sauce

• 1 package (cane) tomato sauce
• 1-2 garlic gloves crashed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• salt, pepper and olive oil

Mix all ingredients together, season well with salt and pepper.

Pizza topping

• cheese grated
• red onions cut in half rings
• sliced champions
• ham or salami
• bell paprika cut in cubes
• cherry tomatoes cut in half
• fresh basilica leaves 

Preheat your oven to 200-220 C. Spread some tomato sauce on a circle of a dough. Top it with cheese, ham or salami, champions, bell paprika, onions and cherry tomatoes. Bake for 15-20 minutes. 

No bake blueberry cheesecake

(for 15 cm baking form)

• 5-6 digestive cookies
• 20 g butter
• 250 g mascarpone cheese
• 200 ml double cream
• 80 g powdered sugar
• half vanilla pod
• 2-3 gelatin sheets
• 125 g blueberries

Crash the cookies into fine crumbs, melt the butter and mix everything together. Put the cookie crumbs into the baking dish, press it in firmly and put it into the refrigerator.

Meanwhile mix together mascarpone cheese, 50 g powdered sugar and vanilla seeds, till light a fluffy. In a small bowl whisk together remaining powder sugar and double cream till soft peaks starts to form. Put the gelatin sheets in cold water and let them soak. Take a handful of the berries and blitz them quickly in a food processor. Now add the whipped cream to the mascarpone mixture, mix gently till everything is well combined (no clumps). Take the soaked gelatin and melt it quickly in a microwaves (for couple of seconds) add it to the mascarpone-cream mixture, mix well. Finally add the crashed berries and mix briefly. Pour the mixture on the top of the cookie crumbs and put it back into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Short before serving, decorate it with the remaining berries and powdered sugar.

Enjoy!