Thursday, March 11, 2010

Homemade Pizza Night!

Last Saturday night every single member of my little family was in my little kitchen. That includes two adult humans, one tween human, and three canines who think they're humans. It was a feat, let me say. But the smells that were emanating from that one room were enough to keep us all in there for a while, at least.

Kiddo and I go to classes at our church on Tuesdays. I usually go to a Bible study class, and he goes to classes designed for homeschoolers. We really enjoy it and it gives both of us a break from each other. However, this term I am helping with one of the homeschool classes taught by my friend Lisa. Kiddo is, of course, in one of the classes (we split them into 4-5 grades and 6-8 grades). The book we're using, The Science Chef, is really a neat book if you want your kids to get interested in cooking.

Each week Lisa gives the kids experiments and recipes that correspond with that week's lesson. Last week we talked about why bread rises and what role yeast plays in bread, etc, etc. One of the recipes was for pizza dough, and since we already had planned on having homemade pizza Saturday night it was perfect timing for us.

We were each in charge of one element of the meal. Sound Man was in charge of toppings, sauteing onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms as well as cooking sausage; I was in charge of the pizza sauce (recipe coming in a minute); Kiddo was in charge of the crust. Homemade crust at that.He did great, even kneading it the way Lisa had shown the kids, even if it wasn't exactly the way I do it. I kept telling myself "Don't get in the way, don't get in the way...let him do it his way!" He measured, stirred, kneaded, and then pressed the finished product into our stoneware baker. LOVE that thing!Can you tell I love Pampered Chef products? The bowl, the spoon, the baker, the roller, they all came from P.C! (And NO, I wasn't compensated by P.C. I just honestly love their products! Plus, I was a consultant for three years when Kiddo was tee-niney.)

Sorry, random thought. Anyway, after the crust was rolled out, I spooned the sauce on, then Sound Man did his magic with the toppings, finishing it off with pepperoni and Italian blend cheese. Can I tell you this pizza was sooooooooooo good?I'm so glad it turned out well. I think if it hadn't Kiddo's interest in the kitchen would have gone downhill. Hopefully it will just grow as the class goes on.Alrighty, here are the recipes for both the pizza dough and sauce. Super, super easy for both.

Basic Pizza Dough
(Makes enough for one 12 inch pizza or eight slices)

1 cup warm water (between 100 and 110 degrees F)
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp oil
2 to 3 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour

In a large bowl add yeast to water and stir. Add sugar, salt and oil to water and stir well. Add flour to bowl in small amounts and stir after each addition. Add just enough flour so the dough is not sticking in clumps to your hands or the bowl.

Knead dough 2-3 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Let dough rest 5-10 minutes before rolling out on pizza stone or pan, or press into baker for deep dish pizza.

Pizza Sauce

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 tomato, seeded and coarsely pureed (actually what I did was just chop it to smithereens with my Pampered Chef food chopper. It was as good as pureed!)
1 tsp oregano
1 clove garlic, minced (again, I just used my Pampered Chef garlic press...LOVE that thing!)
1/4 tsp paprika
scant 1/4 tsp salt

Blend together and spread over pizza crust. YUMMY!

Hope you like it as much as we did!

Linked up at Jen's Tasty Tuesday post this week!

10 comments:

Dawn said...

oh i love homemade pizza! sounds like it was quite a gathering in that kitchen of yours... sounds perfect to me :)

CarlynB said...

Sister, your #1 nephew was reading this post over my shoulder and he said, "She can't make pizza as good as you." We'll have to have a pizza cook-off one of these days. LOL

You know every Saturday night is homemade pizza night here at the H. of B. Your crust recipe is pretty close to mine BUT I don't add sugar and only use half a tsp. of salt and I use a blend of white and whole wheat - 1 and 1/2 c. white plus 1 c. (more or less) of wh. wheat. What kind of oil did you use? I use olive oil.

One of these days I'll try your sauce. Right now I'm doing the lazy woman's pizza sauce - 1 sm. can tomato sauce, spread it over the crust and then sprinkle basil and oregano all over it.

Your pizza picture is making me hungry!

Love you,

Sister

CarlynB said...

By the way - I love that roller thingy.

Love you,

Sister

Kat said...

Ya knoooooooooow...y'all could just bring pizza on Monday when you come to visitar ;)

Heathahlee said...

Dawn, I didn't even tell about the puppies circling us like sharks in a feeding frenzy! : )

Sister, don't worry...your #1 nephew has already told me you make the best pizza...and fried okra. Poor thing. He's so deprived because I NEVER make fried okra. I should, because I LOOOOOVE it.

Kat, no way. I want Rio Lindo!

CarlynB said...

Poor baby. Make him some fried okra!

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

I missed homemade pizza???? It would have been a perfect addition to studying for finals. It looked like a memorable night for the Kiddo. :)

Cheers~
e

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Your flour covered kiddo is a cutie, and his pizza looks delicious! laurie

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

The Science Chef? i have never heard of it, but it sounds RIGHT up our alley. What fun. :) Love it! And you know I love my stonewear too...lol

The Bearded Lady (Laura) said...

I LOVE families in the kitchen!! Looks yummy!! Thank you for sharing!!

Very curious about this Science Chef!!