Since we’re a few days into all this self quarantine and social distancing business, it feels like the right time for another DIY recipe to add to our #HGTryThisAtHomeSeries. Instead of dreading this time at home, use it to your advantage and become the chef you always knew you could be. Or just try this recipe — it’s amazing, trust us.
{Photo credit: Casey2Cook.com}
About the Dish
{Photo credit: Casey2Cook.com}
If you’re still reeling from those decadent Reese’s Puff Pancakes we posted last week, we’ve got something more savory for you, but just as delicious.
Created with love and a little nostalgia by local chef Casey 2 Cook, these perfect mini pizzas were inspired by her mother’s recipe. She says her mom’s English muffin pizzas were her favorite growing up, so we’re excited to get a taste.
What You’ll Need
Casey’s Mini English Muffin Pizza Pies {original recipe}
- – 1 6 pack Thomas’ English Muffins {Casey used multigrain light, you can use whichever you like}
- – 1 8oz can of tomato sauce
- – 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese {Casey used 2%}
- – 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- – Olive oil cooking spray
- -1 tablespoon of dried oregano {make sure to crush with fingers to reactivate flavor}
- – Salt + pepper to taste
- – Any other toppings or spices you would like to add
Directions
{Photo credit: Casey2Cook.com}
Before you begin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with foil.
- Using a serrated knife, slice each English muffin in half and place them cut side up on your prepared baking sheet.
- Place about a tablespoon of sauce on each and use your spoon to cover the entire area of the English muffin. Reserve leftover sauce.
- Next, put a pinch {a little over a tablespoon} of mozzarella cheese on each one.
- Mix the olive oil with remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle remaining sauce evenly over the English muffins, spray lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle oregano evenly over each one and place into the oven. {Before you put into the oven, add any extra toppings you want}.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and muffins are crisp. Salt and pepper them fresh out of the oven to taste. Also add any other seasonings you desire {like garlic powder, crushed red pepper, etc}. And finally, enjoy!
So give it a try, our quarantined friends, it’s the perfect {second} lunch you’ve been waiting for.
In the coming days, our site will be sharing more recipes from local chefs, and since we’re all indoors and are slowly becoming kitchen experts, if you have a recipe you’d like to share, please email [email protected] for submissions — with photos and a google doc of the recipe and descriptions.
We love sharing what our readers have been cooking and baking in the kitchen!
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Mexican-Inspired Coffee Shop, Cafexico, to Open in Hoboken on January 4th
A new coffee contender has joined Hoboken’s slew of coffee shops, making it one of almost a dozen new Mile Square-based java spots that announced their arrivals in 2024 or early 2025. Cafexico was slated to open this past summer at 515 4th Street in Hoboken — but after much delay, its owners have shared exclusively that the new java shop is finally ready to open its doors on January 4, 2025. A source close to the shop confirmed the news to The Hoboken Girl earlier this spring, and shared the updated opening date this week. Read on for more about what we know about Cafexico, and the other coffee shops opening or have opened in Hoboken this spring + summer.
Cafexico
Cafexico is located at 515 4th Street, next door to Gotham Nails. Willie Romero, the owner of Cafexico, shared with The Hoboken Girl earlier this spring that the shop will be serving coffee drinks in a cafe-style setting. Cafexico was looking to open up this spring, but was delayed till January 2025.
"We are creating a Mexican-themed coffee shop that will feature a variety of pastry options alongside a few specialty Mexican drinks — with more coming soon," Willie shared with The Hoboken Girl team. "Our goal is to make the experience as authentic as possible, with a relaxed atmosphere." The shop will be decorated with images and decorations highlighting different villages and regions throughout Mexico. The renderings previously shared of the interior space give a light and airy vibe, with lots of natural light.
Read More: 5 New Restaurants Coming to Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette Neighborhood
Hoboken Coffee Scene Expands
Several other new coffee shops have opened in Hoboken this past spring + summer 2024, with Cafexico pushing its opening to early 2025.
Cafe Cartel opened in 2024 at 1100 Adams Street. Specializing in “curated Colombian coffee,” the cafe serves light bites including empanadas, cookies, bakery items, as well as a range of coffee options made with Medellin beans and treats. Originally scheduled for a November 2023 launch, Cafe Cartel has shifted its opening date to 2024.
Cafe Tati is a new project from the team behind local favorites Barbes and La Boheme. It's an express version of Barbes, featuring coffee drinks and more. The space opened in early May 2024 and is located at 401 Bloomfield Street.
Gotan Cafe, an NYC-based local chain and sister spot to Yuki's Bakery, opened at the end of April at 770 Jackson Street inside 7 Seventy House. Gotan Cafe serves up high-quality Counter Culture coffee and Mediterranean cuisine. A Jersey City location opened in 2023.
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Modcup Coffee opened this May at 211 4th Street in Hoboken. The company that started with just one cart ten years ago opened yet another brick-and-mortar shop, joining its sister shop in Jersey City at 25 Senate Place.
Paris Baguette opened up in Hoboken in late 2024 and is located at 1000 Maxwell Place. Paris Baguette is a bakery + cafe chain known for its breads, cakes, pastries, and coffee options. There are also sandwiches and salads, akin to the likes of another popular bakery chain, Panera Bread. It's also opening two new Jersey City locations sometime in 2025.
See More: A Guide to Montclair’s Best Coffee Shops
City of Saints, located at 1320 Bloomfield Street, announced its closure in February 2024 after weeks of speculation. In its place is now Kooche Kafe, which took over the uptown Hoboken space and opened up this past week.
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