PIZZA

Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I was trying to decide what I wanted for dinner. (I know, not the best place to think of food, but oh well!). When I got groceries on Friday, I bought yeast, because I wanted to bake some buns (I haven't done that since I was a kid with my grandma, but I have this new found energy, and want too!). Anyways... I decided that we would make pizzas- like completely from scratch!

After I was done at the gym, I went downstairs into superstore, and picked up pizza sauce, pepperoni and some pizza cheese. Then, when I got home I told the kids! Well, they were excited, but when I looked up the pizza dough recipe, it only needed half an hour to rise. So, we had to wait.

Well, the kids really wanted to make something, so we made carrot/raisin muffins, AND peanut butter cookies- then they were bored with that and done! So, while those were cooking, and we were waiting to make the pizza dough, we cleaned the house- yes, they helped! Who knows why!?

Then, it came time to make the dough! The three of us were in the kitchen getting everything ready. They were really enjoying themselves, smelling the yeast, watching it turn into a ball of dough, and trying to figure out WHY mommy was putting a wet towel over the bowl of dough! LOL!

While it was rising (again, they got bored!), they watched a show (the amount of time the dough needed), and I cut some toppings- mushrooms, and red pepper. When the dough was ready, I went to get them, and Bryce had fallen asleep. (which is actually a blessing in disguise!). So, Danika and I went to work, rolling the dough, adding the sauce, cheese and toppings. Then we tossed it in the oven! About 20 minutes later, we were ready to eat!

We got our family movie ready (Over the Hedge was the pick of the night), and cut the pizza! It was so good (Brett was worried, I don't know why- I can cook!) But, he really enjoyed it! So much that there was almost 3/4 of a pizza leftover and he ate it all for lunch today!

It was a good day, a fun day, and a learning experience for all of us! (next is buns and calzones!)

Here are our pictures and the recipe for the pizza dough (we added cheese, and pepperoni to the kids, and cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and red peppers to ours. One thing, I didn't evenly separate the dough- I had a little more for ours, a little less for theirs- and ours was a "thicker" crust and the kids had thin crust- so they did take different times to cook. If you divide evenly, it will be the same! Check it at 15 minutes!)

Pizza Dough Recipe 

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (we buy it by the jar since we make bread etc but 2 1/4 tsp equals one packet if you get those)

1 cup warm water

2 cups of flour (sometimes I just use white, mostly I do 1 cup white, 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour)

2 TBS olive oil

1 tsp salt

2 tbs sugar

In small bowl dissolve yeast in water, leave for 10 minutes. In large bowl combine flour, olive oil, salt and sugar. Pour in water/yeast mixture and stir it until it forms a ball . The best part is there is no kneading just make sure it is well combined. Then place the ball of dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp kitchen towel. Set the timer for 30 mins.

Preheat oven to 350-375 ( depending on your oven), when the timer goes off. Flour your bread board or counter and roll the dough out. Add toppings of your choice and bake for 15-20 minutes.

This yields enough dough for two small pizzas....or one huge one. You can also use it to make pizza bread or calzones.

I found the recipe here- and I did use her suggestion to add Italian seasoning to the oil!

I have a couple other pictures to share too...

I have been searching for awhile for a place to put keys and bills at the front door. And while searching through IKEA's site, I found this one! It was only $25! And because it was skinnier than the entry way, I bought some of the little mirrors too! AND- I put this together and put it up myself! (so proud!)

This is my 80's girl! When I was doing her hair last week, she told me to put a ponytail WAY on top of her head- like Belle's hair! So, I did- and she was SO happy with it! (Brett and I were laughing a bit inside!)

And here, well, we have Daddy "watching" the kids! They were watching TV on the couch, and he kept falling asleep too! The thing is, when I got up to get the camera, Danika kept saying "cheese" and moving around, so he actually woke up before I took the picture! I just happened to click the camera on a blink! So, it does look like I caught him in the act (which I did, I just have fake proof!)

And my big, crazy kids! Can you see the look on Sugar's face. She is trying to figure out what they are doing! They were running in circles around her singing some random song! They are crazy, and yes, this is a daily occurrence in our house! (you think the dog would have figured it out by now!)