November 11, 2011

Pizza: A Staple for Busy Families

Pizza: A Staple for Busy Families
A guest post by Lexi Rodrigo from MyQuickDinnerRecipes.com.

Pizza isn’t often top of mind when a busy Mom thinks of a quick and easy dinner to prepare. However, for our family of five, this flat bread has become a weekly staple.

Dough Matters

Most home cooks would balk at the thought of preparing pizza dough. An easy solution is to buy refrigerated or even frozen dough at the grocery. I used to buy whole wheat pizza dough… until it became more and more difficult to find.

And then I learned to be organized enough to make my own. With a little planning, you can prepare pizza dough ahead of time and keep it in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Pizza is much easier to make than other breads, because it doesn’t require a lot of kneading, rising or resting.

Toppings Are Tops

Topping a pizza is lots of fun. You can put almost anything on top of a pizza. But first, the basics: try some tomato paste, dried or fresh oregano, chopped garlic, and shredded cheese.

For additional toppings, raid your refrigerator for leftover pieces of meat and vegetables. My family’s favorites include shredded chicken, bacon bits, shrimp, mushrooms, and bell pepper.

If your refrigerator is empty, simply saute sliced onions in olive oil until caramelized, and spread over your pizza. Top with some Parmesan cheese. Or take some pesto sauce, either homemade or store-bought, and use that as pizza topping. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Keep some pizza dough in your refrigerator or freezer, and you’ll always be a few minutes away from a good meal.

Lexi Rodrigo is a wife and mother of 3, who loves to cook and bake. Check out Lexi’s cooking site at http//www.MyQuickDinnerRecipes.com.

***Image courtesy of Haseo on Flickr.com.***