Homemade Birthday Pizza

I made a homemade pizza for my daughter, Callie's 13th birthday last week and it was so good I had to share the recipe with you. I even remembered to take photos of the all the steps. I even got to try out the new pizza stone that hubby bought me for Christmas.

The World's Best Bread Machine Pizza Dough
Recipe Makes 2 Pizza Crusts
· 1 1/3 cups water (Or 1 Cup Water and 1/3 Cup Flat Beer for better flavor)
·2 tablespoons olive oil· 1 teaspoon sugar

· 1 teaspoon honey
· 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
· 2 tablespoons cornmeal
· 3 1/2 cups flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
· 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
· 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
Add ingredients to machine in order listed.Set to “Dough” mode.Once completed, place in greased pan (2 - 9x13 inch or round pizza pans).Let dough rest on pans for 10-15 minutesSpread dough out in pan.
Add light layer of sauce and pre-bake at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes.Remove from oven and add toppings of your choice.Bake in oven at 400 degrees until done (approx 17 - 20 min, depending upon topping thickness).

PIZZA SAUCE

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

2/3 cup water

2 tablespoons red wine

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

salt

pepper

Preparation
1. Prep all the ingredients first and have them sitting ready to go. The recipe cooks fast, so this step is important.
2. In a medium saucepan, sauté garlic in oil until golden. Watch it closely as the garlic can go from golden to burned in a nanosecond.
3. Add tomato paste, water, wine, sugar, oregano, basil, and cheese.
4. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add mozzerella cheese, cheddar cheese or just buy one of those prepackaged/grated Pizza Blend cheese packages.


Add whatever toppings you want...we added pepperoni



Then we had cheesecake for dessert with strawberries & chocolate chips...just what Callie requested for her 13th birthday...yummy! I decided to just buy this at Sam's Club instead of making it from scratch. It was made by Cheesecake Factory. It was heaven in a box!







And here is Callie and her sister playing jer new keyboard that we got her for her birthday.

Gobble Gobble Gobble...It's Almost Turkey Day!

I found a new recipe compliments of Cristina Ferrare for a great marinade for your Turkey.



Roasted Herb Turkey:

1 turkey (10 lbs)
6 lemons
A poultry mix of fresh herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano work well

Marinade for one turkey:
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup juice from fresh lemon (don't discard lemon rinds)
To make marinade: Place all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Whisk with a wire whisk until ingredients are incorporated well—the marinade should have a smooth and creamy consistency.

To make roasted turkey: Preheat oven to 425°.

Clean turkey well and pat dry. Place each turkey in a baking pan.

Stuff cavity with lemon rinds and fresh herbs. A poultry mix is fine, usually consisting of rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano.

Pour marinade over turkey. Add cracked pepper and remaining herbs to the top of each turkey.

Place an oven thermometer in each turkey and cover with aluminum foil. Place on the lower rack of the oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours, then remove the aluminum foil. Baste with a basting bulb. Keep basting often, ever 15 minutes until the thermometer reads 185°.


(this recipe is also awesome on chickens)
Do you have your Thanksgiving menu already planned?

Bon Appetit!