Birthday Lunch - Stuffed Crust Pizza

Yesterday I took off from work for my big boy's actual birthday.  While the big two were at school I raced with my little guy to buy balloons, decorate the house, bake cupcakes.

 

The big boys had a half day at school so I picked them up at noon along with one of my oldest's bff for a playdate.  I also invited another one of his friends who got dropped off a bit later at our house.
Walking out of the school I saw two moms I am friendly with who happened to have off too, so I told them if they wanted to stop by with their kids they could.  They happily agreed, so when all was said and done we had 2 adults and 6 kids over -- it was mayhem with my 3 in the mix.  :)

For lunch I ordered two pizzas and made a homemade one that was recommended to me by a friend.  My friend said the recipe makes "mind blowing pizza".  To be honest I wasn't overly impressed by the recommendation since the recipe didn't sound that exciting and it's just pizza.  However, I figured I would try it and make it for the kids for lunch. 

Well, let me tell you -- the kids didn't have a bite because me and the other two mothers ate the whole thing.  It was to die for.  It was easy to make.  It was a perfect recipe. :)

In fact, I rarely make the same recipe twice, but I would absolutely make this for my family over ordering any day.  Taste is incomparable and I love that I can use organic ingredients.   Recipe at the bottom.

After lunch, it was so gorgeous out the other moms and I sat out back and the kids played.



birthday cupcakes!

After the playdate we went out for dinner. 

Eating me out of house and home and sending me to the poor house at restaurants!  Birthday boy enjoying salmon balsamico at one of his favorite restaurants.

 

When we got home some family stopped by and we had cake, opened presents. 

My house was trashed so lots of cleaning up had to be done, so I am pretty beat today.  At least it's Friday!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

 

Stuffed Crust Pizza

 

Crust Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast (2 teaspoons)

1 cup warm water (105° to 115°, no more)

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little for coating

10 mozzarella string cheese sticks

 

Sauce Ingredients

6 oz tomato paste

1 can of spaghetti sauce

1 pinch of oregano

1 pinch of garlic powder

 

In a mixer: Using a dough hook, combine 2 ½ cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add the liquid ingredients and mix on low until the dough begins to clump around the dough hook. Your pizza dough should be smooth so continue adding flour until smooth. Remove and knead rolling the dough into a ball.

Lightly oil the ball and the inside of a large glass bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour. For better crust, punch down the dough, reshape into a ball and let it rise again.

Place 6 oz of tomato paste in bowl, stir in all of the Oregano and Garlic Powder. Slowly add in Spaghetti Sauce (approx. 1/3^rd jar) stirring till sauce runs slow down glass bowl sides.

 

Roll dough out about 1” larger than the pan. Around the edges of the pan add mozzarella sticks end-to-end. Wrap excess dough around mozzarella sticks. Add your sauce, and toppings (choice cheese’, vegies, and meats).

 

Transfer to a pizza pan or pizza stone. Bake in a 500° pre-heated oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, 15 to 18 minutes. Longer on non-convection ovens.