PIZZA PARTY

May 15th is National Pizza Party Day, so get ready to host a “Make Your Own” Pizza Party.

Pizza is America’s favorite fun food and everyone loves getting together and getting their hands in dough and making their own personal creation. Gather enough aluminum pie plates and make enough dough for all your guests, then provide a bevy of toppings, including of course some fresh herbs, plus several sauces and let the fun begin. Add antipasti, salad and beverages to complete the evening.

Here is a dough recipe and a list of our favorite toppings and herbs to get you started:

PIZZA DOUGH
1 pkg dry yeast
1 c hot water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2Tbs olive oil
2 1/2 c flour
Optional – 1 tsp Garlic Herb Blend
          Dissolve yeast in water with sugar. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Allow dough to rest 5 minutes. Grease pan and hands with butter, then shape dough and pinch edges. Brush the crust with garlic-olive oil before adding other ingredients to prevent sogginess and add flavor or a to make a great sauce for a white pizza. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

TOPPINGS

• Sauces such as tomato, barbeque, ranch dressing or pesto
• 2-4 cheeses such as mozzarella, Parmesan, Monterey Jack and cheddar – sliced or grated
• A variety of vegetables: tomatoes, sweet onions, peppers (roasted and fresh), mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, etc plus fruits like pineapple.
• Pepperoni, prosciutto or ham, sausage, ground beef, grilled chicken and bacon
• For garnishes choose any of these fresh herbs: oregano (know as “the pizza herb” for seasoning and sauces), marjoram, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary and chives (plain & garlic)

And for dessert . . .

DESSERT PIZZA: Press 1 pkg (20oz) refrigerated cookie dough evenly on a 12” pizza pan or stone. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins or until golden brown. Cool. Place on serving plate and top with 2 c whipped topping mixed with 4oz softened cream cheese and 1/4 c powdered sugar.  Garnish with assorted fruit such as bananas, kiwi, sliced strawberries, halved grapes or cherries. Serve or refrigerate until serving time.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing
some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
I Corinthians 10:31