Thursday, July 10, 2014

Make Your Own Pizza Night and BBQ Chicken Pizza


Homemade pizza is one of my kiddos favorite dinners, but I don't always have time to make the crust and sauce and everything that goes into it. Plus everyone has their own favorite toppings and such.  So this is my fast and easy personal sized pizza recipe!

A few years ago my friend, Melissa, gave me the tip to use Rhodes rolls dough for the crust and I've never looked back.  If you haven't used their dough before it comes pre-portioned, frozen, and delicious.  You just let it rise and bake it.  The texas sized rolls also happen to be the perfect size to make a personal pizza! I just let the dough rise in a 9x13 pans according to the package instructions and then roll it out into a pizza crust and let my kids top it however they want.  When they are in charge of making their own food they seem to eat it a lot better. Plus we've done this for several birthday parties, late nighters, etc.  Everyone gets exactly what they want and it provides both an activity and a meal for all your guests :)  Below are a few of our favorite toppings to mix and match.  As well as a recipe for my favorite...BBQ chicken pizza!
 
Hawaiian Pizza
Personal Pizzas (makes 12 personal pizzas)

1 dozen texas size Rhodes Rolls dough
nonstick spray
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 cups pizza sauce (you can buy it at the store or make your own)
4 cups mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
Toppings of your choice (our favorites are listed below)


Let dough thaw and rise according to package directions. Spray two large baking sheets with non-stick spray and dust with cornmeal. Roll and flatten dough into small pizza crusts (apx. 1/2 in. thick and 6-8 inches in diameter) and place on prepared baking sheets.

 Top with sauce and a handful of cheese.  Choose your toppings and pile those on too.  Sprinkle with a little more mozzarella and a bit of the grated parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown.  I like to broil mine on high for an additional 3-4 minutes to make the cheese nice and toasty! Enjoy!

Topping Ideas:
pepperoni
sausage
ham
pineapple
tomatoes
onions
mushrooms
bell pepper
olives
etc.

BBQ Chicken
BBQ Chicken Pizza (Makes 12 personal pizzas)
1 dozen Rhodes Texas dinner rolls dough
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 cups Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce
1/4 cup red onion (sliced paper thin)
4 cups mozzarella cheese
1 can pineapple tidbits
2 cups shredded chicken (I use a rotisserie chicken)
4 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
1/2 cup grated parmesan

Let dough thaw and rise according to package directions. Spray two large baking sheets with non-stick spray and dust with cornmeal. Roll and flatten dough into small pizza crusts (apx. 1/2 in. thick and 6-8 inches in diameter) and place on prepared baking sheets.

Top with BBQ sauce and red onion.  Cover completely with mozzarella cheese.  Top with pineapple, chicken and bacon.  Sprinkle with a little more mozzarella and a bit of the grated parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown.  I like to broil mine on high for an additional 3-4 minutes to make the cheese nice and toasty! Enjoy!

Note: This recipe would work with any pizza crust you choose to  make.  The instructions above are for personal sized pizzas but the proportions of toppings would also work to make a large pizza as well.













Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Blondies



So this recipe settled a big debate between my husband and I! A few weeks ago my husband had a hankering for some blondie bars.  I told him I'd make some chocolate chip cookie bars since they were pretty much the same. "Not so" declared my husband and from there the debate began.  Finally we decided there was no to truly settle it without doing a taste test. And, the result was conclusive that blondies and chocolate cookie bars are not at all the same! I was wrong...I was so wrong! I guess there is a first time for everything.  But at least as a consolation prize I got to partake of these delicious, chewy, buttery blondies before they were devoured by my kiddos and husband. You can see my 5 year old couldn't even wait for me to finish taking the picture before she grabbed one above!

I tweaked an old recipe I had a little and also doubled it because, trust me, you're going to want a big pan of these! Give them a try :)

Blondie Bars (9x13 in. pan)
1 cup butter (melted)
2 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
2 eggs
3-4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix melted butter and brown sugar together until completely dissolved.  Add egg, vanilla and salt.  Slowly add flour, stirring constantly.  Mix in chocolate chips. Spread in 9x13 in. baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes. Inserted toothpick should come out clean.  Let cool 15-20 minutes and enjoy!