Pizza

Most kids love pizza. Most adults do too but we often do not consider pizza to be dinner. You don't need to order a pie from your local pizzeria or pizza chain. Make it at home and you can make it into a family effort.

Here are some quick and easy ideas that are sure to please any picky eater!

What is a pizza?

A pizza usually has a crust, some kind of sauce and toppings that usually involve cheese. Here are some ways to change it up and give you healthier choices also.


The crust.
You can make your own. This can be time-consuming. It isn't impossible but if you are coming home after a long day at work, making pizza dough from scratch is not really an ideal choice.

Option #1- Store made pizza dough.  You can find it in the dairy section of your supermarket. Another option is frozen pizza dough. Just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Option #2- Instead of the traditional pizza dough, try one of these options.

Flatbread (comes in flavors which can give your pizza a more gourmet taste)
Italian or french bread  (again, you can choose traditional or even whole wheat or garlic)
Frozen garlic bread  (make it a white pizza or a combo white and veggie mix)
Pocketless pitas  (these will be individual pizzas which are much easier in a house full of picky eaters)

Pizza Sauce or Not?

Option #1 - Homemade marinara sauce or even a jar of spaghetti sauce is fine to use as a pizza sauce. Season it as desired with garlic, Italian seasoning or fresh basil

Option#2- Tomato paste. You can purchase organic, already seasoned or season it yourself.

Option #3- Crushed tomatoes. Many come seasoned or you can buy it plain and season to taste.

Option #4- Sliced plum tomatoes instead of a pizza sauce. Makes for a fresh tasting pizza.

Option #5- White pizza. Use ricotta cheese spread on your choice of crust and then top with whatever you choose.

Cheese or no cheese?

Option #1- Shredded or sliced mozzarella is delicious.

Option#2- Mix it up! A blend of Italian cheeses or mix in Cheddar with Mozzarella. Low-fat, non-fat or cheese substitute. Add as much or as little as you like.

Toppings

Options are endless. Vegetables include spinach, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, peppers, artichoke hearts (chopped) and olives. Meats of your choosing- ground meats seasoned your way, pepperoni (don't forget turkey pepperoni is a tasty option) bacon (again try turkey) sausage, chicken (grilled, seasoned, barbecued) and really anything you like you can top your pizza with.

You can make pizza into a delicious and satisfying meal. Use your imagination and let your taste buds guide you.

What's for dinner? How about homemade Stromboli??

Cooking is a stress releaser for me. When I need a pick-me-up for my mood, I head to the kitchen. I do have to push myself sometimes but once I get started, it usually boosts my mood. Today was food shopping morning and I decided to do something fun for dinner. Strombolis and popcorn chicken. Since I did go shopping, I had plenty to keep me busy in the kitchen.

Prep produce and meat when you get home from the supermarket and it will save tons of time when it is time to cook dinner.

Here are pictures of how I made stromboli for dinner tonight.

Ingredients used:
1 package frozen pizza dough (contains 2 separate doughs) defrosted overnight
1 lb. sausage meat
1- 6oz package of pepperoni
2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 cups shredded mozzarella and provolone
olive oil
flour
1 teaspoon fresh garlic



First dust your countertop (cleaned beforehand) with flour and then using a rolling pin, roll out the dough. You can leave it a little thicker and your stromboli with be doughier. I rolled it out pretty thin.

 This stromboli will be sausage. I took the cooled sausage meat that I added garlic to and crumbled in with my hands. I spread it evenly around the dough. Notice I leave an edge all the way around.

 This stromboli will be pepperoni. Did the same as above (oops-obviously, I taste tested the pepperoni!)

 Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese. In this case I used 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup mozzarella/provolone combination. At this time you could use Italian seasoning on top or add onions, peppers or mushrooms.

 Rolling is the fun part. As you gently roll it, tuck the ends over the top of the roll. When you get to the end, you can use water to seal or olive oil or egg wash.

Rolling and tucking in the sides as you go
After you are done rolling, place it on a cookie sheet that has been wiped with olive oil. Brush olive oil on the top also.

Bake this is a preheated 425 degree oven. It takes about 25 minutes. Allow it to cool slightly and remember, the fillings will be hot!!!

Ignore the family size thin crust pizza- that was made a few Sundays ago. The strombolis are on the left. I couldn't take a picture of these because they are just going in the oven.

This is an easy to make dinner. The kids can help and you can fill it with any combinations. Tomorrow- more ideas on what to do with frozen pizza dough. enjoy!!!!