If you’re looking for a fun way to include your kids in the kitchen, look no further than a family pizza night. Most kids (and grown-ups) love pizza, and making pizza from scratch at home is much easier than you might think. Kids will love rolling the dough before unleashing their creative side when it comes to adding toppings.

The benefits of cooking with children are endless. Experimenting and playing with food is a great way for them to learn about food science, where ingredients come from, and how they can be put together to make something both delicious and healthy. It will be fun for everyone, with the reward of a yummy pizza at the end!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTISAN PIZZA

 

courtesy of Wil Wood, owner, Love to Cook

PIZZA DOUGH

  • 3 cups warm water
  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 4 teaspoons salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups flour

You will want a large, clean bowl to make and hold the dough. Measure 3 cups warm water into the bowl; add yeast, salt, and flour. Mix until all the flour is moist. The dough should be firm, but slightly sticky. Let it rise until double, about 1 hour.

At this point, the dough is ready to shape into dough balls or put in the fridge until ready to use. It will last up to three days if stored in the refrigerator. In fact, the dough is much easier to handle after being chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, scrape the dough out of the bowl and shape into six dough balls, each the size of a large orange. Let them rise at room temperature for 30 minutes if not chilled, and about two hours if chilled.

Let’s make things complicated! There are two things that make bread moist and chewy (or, in bread-geek terms, a hydrated and robust gluten formation): time and mixing. Both are easy to overdo. If you have time, mix the water, yeast, and 60 to 70 percent of the flour for 20 minutes. After the 20-minute mix, let it rest for a couple of minutes then mix the salt and the rest of the flour in. Once the dough is mixed follow the directions above.

TOMATO PIZZA SAUCE

  • 1 can crushed tomato (28 oz)
  • 1 can tomato paste (12 oz)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
  • 1 clove of fresh garlic crushed and minced

Combine ingredients and mix well.

Stretch the dough by hand and then finish with a rolling pin. Thin dough makes great artisan pizza. Add your toppings — don’t be afraid to get creative!

Bake on a pizza stone in the oven, or in a Camp Chef Pizza Oven.