Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
FUNNY FACE PIZZAS Ingredients For the dough: 1/2 cup flour, plus additional as needed 1/2 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp baking soda Oil for brushing 3-4 tbsp pizza sauce, plus additional as desired 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus additional as desired Assorted vegetables, prepared (see Cook's Tip) Directions Preheat the oven to 425°F. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until a dough ball forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured cutting board for 2 minutes. Add more flour as needed. Roll your dough out to the size of the circle using a rolling pin. Brush a pizza pan or stone with oil, then transfer dough to the stone. Press your dough to the edges using your fingers. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip your crust. After flipping the pizza crust, top with sauce, cheese and veggies. Put back in the oven and bake 6-8 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove pizza from the oven and cut into triangles. Ideas for faces: zucchini slices, Brussel sprout slices and shreds, broccoli florets, bell pepper rings and slices, cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives and thinly sliced carrots.
Society has changed our perspective and relationship with food. Convenience sometimes makes our dietary decisions for us as we continue to thrive in this fast-paced world.
"Growing the practice of home baking" is the mission statement of the Home Baking Association, who has designated February as "Bake for Family Fun Month." With only a few days of February left, let's all try to squeeze in at least one more "from scratch" dinner - just for fun, and to fulfill that craving for downhome cookin'.
Sanders County has very few fast food establishments, which means many of us already prepare many meals at home. Taking the time to plan and fabricate meals from scratch is both challenging and rewarding.
Danielle Wood, Pampered Chef consultant, claims that kitchen time can be even more gratifying and enjoyable when shared with loved ones, especially children.
Pampered Chef encourages youth participation in food preparation for many reasons. "Kids who learn at an early age are more likely to make meals from scratch when they grow up," Wood shared. In addition, "cooking teaches kids valuable skills like following directions, reading, math, science and problem-solving."
In general, American families do not sit down as a family and eat dinners together like they used to. Wood feels that by incorporating quality family time through meal preparation, familial bonds will grow. Family members who come together to prepare meals are more likely to sit down and eat together, sharing special moments while building stronger relationships.
Wood revealed many other benefits children gain out of kitchen time. It encourages kids to try healthy and new foods, kids will feel a sense of contribution to the family, healthier diets will transpire and less junk food will be consumed, time spent in front of the TV or computer will be decreased, kids will be more likely to eat healthy as adults, cooking will teach kids about different cultures and food origins, learning to cook is a skill children can use for the rest of their lives and positive cooking experiences can build self-confidence.
A quick 10-point safety checklist, provided by Wood, should be in place when kitchen activities occur.
1. Make sure all appliances are turned off when finished.
2. Avoid shock by keeping electrical appliances away from water.
3. Run cool water over any burns (lavender oil works excellent for burns).
4. Do not put knives or sharp objects into a sink full of water.
5. Adults should do difficult cutting with sharp knives.
6. Put small fires out with baking soda or smothering it with a lid (do not use water – it could make the fire bigger).
7. Do not put cooked food on an unwashed plate or cutting board that held raw food.
8. Never add water to a pan that has hot oil in it (oil can splatter and burn someone).
9. Always turn hot pan handles toward the back of the range top.
10. Keep all towels and pot holders away from the range so they do not catch fire.
Bake for Family Fun Month promotes the way we used to eat many years ago; preparing our own food, all the time. Pampered Chef offers "Kids in the Kitchen" cooking classes. For more information contact Wood at (406) 827-0486.
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