Easy Homemade Pizza

Having a friend spend the night is a memorable moment of childhood. Sleeping bags, popcorn, chattering past bedtime. Yet a highlight of youth can be a headache for some. Ease the evening and create a little fun by having the kids make their own pizza, from scratch!

It’s simple with this “no yeast” pizza crust recipe, and the best part is the kids can mix it themselves. Engaging children to make their own dinner encourages them to try tastes they usually refuse. Plus, pressing out pizza dough and sprinkling their own toppings fosters a sense of freedom and autonomy that younger kids crave. Made with whole wheat flour and added ground flaxseed, the crust is an opportunity to deliver that crucial fiber and omega 3 fatty acids so often missing from our children’s daily diets. Cake pans (especially the Wilton aluminum variety) transform into excellent personalized pizza pans for each child. It’s also helpful to line the pans with parchment paper, which creates a crispy crust and quickens clean-up time. An assortment of toppings can be placed in cereal-sized bowls for swift spreading by small fingers.

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

DAIRY, EGG, NUT FREE

serves 4

Preheat oven to 400º

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2/3 cup warm water

Pizza Toppings

pasta sauce from a jar

(I recommend organic Muir Glen Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce)

mild Italian ground turkey sausage (cooked)

organic baby spinach (finely chopped minimizes its distinct flavor)

shredded organic mozzarella cheese OR

Daiya dairy free mozzarella style shred*

In a medium size mixing bowl mix dry ingredients together with a whisk. Add agave (or honey), olive oil and water a combine with a fork until a ball of dough appears. For personalized pizzas divide the dough into quarters and distribute among the pizza pans. Spread tomato basil pasta sauce using the back of a spoon. Sprinkle your choice of toppings, finishing with cheese (or dairy free option). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is slightly brown.

* Daiya dairy free mozzarella style shred is the BEST 100% dairy free cheese I’ve ever tried. It actually melts and stretches like real mozzarella and has a delicious buttery flavor. Daiya is FREE of many of the common allergens including; Soy, Dairy (Casein or Lactose) Gluten, Egg, Wheat, Barley, Whey, and Nuts. It is also free of artificial ingredients, preservatives, hormones & antibiotics.

2010 © tricia barry biagi