March 4, 2013 by Jenny
I try to get my Little Chefs to eat new things all the time, but when it comes to Celebrations and Parties, they hardly expect to eat Corned Beef or Cabbage, maybe we will try that next year! So, for this Saint Patricks Day, they wanted PIZZA! I had to think, how can we put a St Patricks twist on Pizza? As my Little Chefs pulled out all their favorite toppings to create their own personal pizza, out came the green pepper….and there was my answer – how cute would a green pepper four leaf clover be on top of a Personal Pizza?!
Since we make pizza quite frequently at our house, we have tweeked and created our favorite recipes for the dough and the pizza sauce.
The Little Chefs are pros at making the pizza dough. They first combined the yeast and sugar, and had that dissolve in the warm water. They love to watch the yeast start foaming, they think it is a cool science experiment. Then they added the salt and olive oil and about 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Use Bread Flour for a much crispier crust, and all-purpose flour for a chewier crust. You then gradually kneed in the remaining flour just until the dough is no longer sticky. At this point you can use it right away, or cover it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge, up to a couple days until you are ready to use it. We then placed dough in well oiled bowl and let rise till doubled.
In the meantime, the Little Chefs made the pizza sauce. The sauce recipe is for 2 lbs of pizza dough, so I usually half it, unless I am making a few pizzas. The recipe is so simple, we added all the ingredient together in a sauce pan. You bring to a boil, and be careful for “popping bubbles”, that is what my Little Chefs call the thick sauce when it starts to boil. We turn the heat on low and have it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Once the pizza dough has doubled in size, pound down the dough and let it relax for about 5 mintes. Little Chef B takes the dough pounding serious, with fists and all! Then you roll out the dough and shape it to the size you want. Press your fingertips along the top of the dough to prevent bubbling.
The Little Chefs added their favorite toppings to their personal pizza, with the touch of St Patrick’s Day, a green pepper four leaf clover.
Do you need an idea for a St Patricks Day dessert? Try out our Andes Mint Cupcakes, the yummy green frosting is just perfect to your St Patricks Day fun! And if you would like to take a different spin on your traditional pizza, try our Pizza Rolls recipe! Don’t forget our free printable St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt.
Saint Patrick Day Personal Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 c warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 c flour
Instructions
- In large mixing bowl, dissolve the brown sugar and yeast, and let sit for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in oil and salt, and mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.
- Put dough onto a floured surface, and knead in more flour till no longer sticky.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with cloth, and let rise till double in size.
- Punch down dough, let it sit for a minute before rolling out.
- Top with your favorite pizza toppings and cook at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes.
2.2
Saint Patrick Day Personal Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 x 10 oz cans tomato paste
- 1/2 c water
- 1 T brown sugar
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 T parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- (Make with 2lbs of pizza dough)
- Combine all ingredients in sauce pan on medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
2.2
March 1, 2013 by Jenny
To continue with Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day, we have found another way to interact with the stories and books in a whole different way……board games related to the classic Dr Seuss books that we’ve all grown to love.
Image courtesy of Amazon
Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! Board Game
Can you spin around 4 times with the fish bowl between your knees? Or jump over the trick-a-ma-stick with the cake under your chin? In this game we were challenged to do crazy things with crazy props .
The Little Chefs loved that the game includes the Dr Seuss silliness with an educational and physical aspect as well. So be prepared for lots of laughs from you and the Little Chefs! This game has won over 12 awards, and we can see why!!!
The only negative feedback we have about this game was that the trick-a-ma-stick (the yellow foam stick prop you need to assemble), was very hard to put together for the Little Chefs, and even Chef dad! And once they put it together, it did not STAY put together. We purchased our game for a years ago, and since 2011, they now have a new and improved trick-a-ma-stick! But, if you are one of the unfortunate ones that purchased the game prior to the upgraded, per a comment by the owner of I Can Do That Games on Amazon, all you need to do is send them an email and they will ship you a new and improved trick-a-ma-stick for free!
Image courtesy of Amazon
Horton Hears a Who – You to the Rescue
The Little Chefs ask to play this game over and over. They think it’s so fun to wear the Horton mask, run around the house to find and pick up the clovers with their trunk, and hurry back before the time runs out to save the Whos!
- This game is very easy to set up. So easy, that my 3 yr old Little Chef K will get the game out, set it up for all of the Little Chefs to play.
- One of a few games that will keep all the Little Chefs entertained, a fantastic game for the whole family!
- Includes physical activity that is a huge plus, sometimes the Little Chefs just need to get their wiggles out.
- It is a quick game, just perfect for the short attention spans.
The Little Chefs give these two games another award, the Favorite Little Chefs Game Award!!! We definitely give these two games a big thumbs-up, and a HUGE recommendation to any family with kids!!
And if you are looking for a fun Dr Seuss Craft, let your Little Chefs Create their Own Wocket in their Pocket! Or make some of our Perfect Playdough, and color it green – to look like some Dr Seuss Oobleck!