Hey internets -
I know that my presence here is sort of inconsequential right now (which has worked out beautifully this week, what with all the not writing I’ve been doing), but I wanted to tell you three things.
No, four.
1) I have been astonished by your response to Ye Olde Christmas Tour. And y’all totally get the credit for the number of people who participated, because you are the ones who got the word out. You posted the button and told your readers and mentioned the tour on Twitter and who knows what else. Then you showed up and linked to your beautiful pictures and shared all your wonderful ideas. Thank you. I cannot say it enough.
2) Friday morning I’m going to close Mr. Linky to any new links. The list is huge, and once that post rolls over to a new page, it won’t be so easy to check and make sure the links are legitimate. So the current links will remain active, but you won’t be able to add a new link after about 10 AM central time tomorrow.
3) Also, I’m doing a random drawing from the comments on the tour post, and one of the commenters will win a personalized engraved tile from Engraved Euniques. I’ll post the winner sometime after lunch tomorrow.
4) After our unfortunate post-Thanksgiving run-in with Stomach Virus ’08 (I haven’t blogged about it because quite frankly I don’t want to think about it EVER AGAIN IN MY WHOLE LIFE), I’ve decided that there is absolutely no way I can cook cornbread dressing or sweet potato casserole for Christmas dinner. There’s really no good reason to share the specific details that led me to this decision, but suffice it to say that I HAVE MY REASONS.
Anyway, I’ve decided that I’m going to make homemade pizzas for Christmas dinner (it’ll be different! it’ll be fun! it won’t be anything like cornbread dressing!), then use the leftover marinara sauce to cook chicken parmesan the day after Christmas when my sister and her hubby come to town.
So. If you happen to have some good homemade pizza recipes and / or pizza ideas, would you let me know in the comments?
Gracias.
Or gratzi.
And, you know, thanks.
{ 81 comments }
Next Comments →
Yum! Pizza sounds delicious right now!
http://blog.al.com/frugalmom/2008/10/my_new_favorite_pizza.html
Sorry about the stomach virus! Those are the worst! I don’t blame you for having pizza, I would too in that situation!
Thanks for hosting the tour. It was really fun and I loved seeing everyone’s different creative styles.
Merry Christmas
If you make your own crust or use Pillsbury’s pizza crust you can make stuff crust pizza but putting string cheese in the crust and then pinching the crust to ensure that the cheese stays in.
We have five children under the age of 2.5 and they love it. Merry Christmas
Living overseas, I learned to make my own pizza. It’s not incredible, but it’s good. Here’s a couple of hints:
slice onions and green peppers as fine as you can
make your own sauce: saute (finely chopped) onion and garlic in a little olive oil till they’re starting to brown; add tomato paste and water to right consistency; add italian type spices (oregano, basil) and sugar and s & p till it tastes just right
Hey there. We make homemade pizza almost every Friday night and use 2 super easy recipes that we found on Food TV’s website. The first is for pizza sauce and the second is for the dough. Here they are:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cat_cora/recipe/0,1974,FOOD_9790_28877,00.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_28839,00.html
I highly recommend them both.
Just a note about the 2nd link I posted in my previous comment. The recipe is a little confusing. You have to scroll all the way to the bottom for the pizza dough ingredients and then look back up the page for the directions. Seems a little backward to me, but it is a great recipe and well worth the confusing layout.
Merry Christmas and happy pizza making!
I do have to say the holiday tour has been so much fun, but wowers I’m not even half way through the list yet. I should get through it in time for next years tour. LOL
I’m sorry to hear of your stomach virus. We had that last year and I can totally appreciate why you want to go a whole new direction with food now. My best pizza recipe is to call Pizza Hut.
edj’s recipe for pizza sauce is right on the money. They don’t sell it premade here so we always have to make from scratch. If you need to make it quick – some thick tomato sauce mixed with garlic salt, pepper, dried oregano & basil to taste with a dash of red pepper flake works great too.
And – because of you – Switzerland and the UK met yesterday. In the form of myself and Linds. Thank you!
I’d go with edj’s sauce. If you like your sauce a little chunkier you could substitute crushed tomatoes for the tomato paste.
I am too lazy to make my own dough, so I use a premade crust (I am a huge fan of Boboli thin crust wheat).
For toppings, two of my favorite pizzas are: Smoked mozzarella and prosciutto. shred the prosciutto and grate the mozzarella. That’s it.
The other: Prosciutto, mozzarella, and artichokes.
I had already decided that I was going to make pizza this year for Christmas too (it’s just me this year, no trip home)! I’m going with the smoked mozzarella and prosciutto.
We just had homemade pizza last night. I use the Martha White pizza dough mix and Ragu pizza quick sauce. That way I can put all my efforts into the “toppings”. That’s where we like to go crazy. The boys like the standard pepperoni and cheese, but Hubby and I like it little more gourmet. We add sauteed onions, fresh spinach, mushrooms, pineapple, etc. Just let your imagination run wild. I haven’t tried it yet, but I want to try making a “white” pizza with alfredo sauce.
And PS – if you have any of the Pampered Chef baking stones, they make incredible pizzas! Merry Christmas, or as the Italians say “Buon Natale!”
Good for you…changing it up a bit. We usually have sushi for Christmas eve and then a big dinner on Christmas day, but after almost catching my new oven on fire with pies at Thanksgiving we are doing soups and sandwhiches for Christmas day.
BUT… I have some pizza ideas for you.
Check on Roni’s page on Greenbitelites
http://greenlitebites.com/category/food-ideas/by-type/pizza-ideas/
She lost 70ish pounds by cooking light (not much exercise) Anyway, she has a great “The don’t know what is in there” sauce recipe(on page 2) that uses pureed veggies. I do it all the time because my hubby and daughter don’t eat many veggies but will eat pizza, so it gives them some veggies in disguise. It makes pizza healthier! Enjoy and Merry Christmas
i wanted to do something different for Christmas dinner this year too, but then my dad went and ordered a boston butt so now i am not sure how to do different with that!! thanks dad!
got any ideas on some different sides rather than the same old same ole? keep in mind i will be feeding about 20 people here at my house. I know, i know…
Hey BooMama!
We’ve been doing the homemade pizza thing for Christmas for a few years now. I mean everyone is sick of turkey and ham by Christmas morning because it seems like we have them like 50 times between Thanksgiving week and Christmas. Pizza just hits the spot!
A few years ago I started a new tradition with our family — homemade pizzas on Christmas Eve. Our church has a Christmas Eve communion service at 4:30 p.m. After the service, we come home and make our pizzas! I usually prepare the crusts ahead of time (using a mix). I also bake the crust for a few minutes before adding the toppings so that it will not be “doughy.” The kids have fun selecting their toppings and making their own creations. After the pizzas, we watch a Christmas movie together and then read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and then the REAL Christmas Story form Luke.
Alfredo Sauce
Grilled Chicken
Feta Cheese
Thinly Sliced Red Onion
Minced Garlic
Yum!!!!
How about putting the dough on the grill?
Hopefully this link will work, but if not it’s through Food Network/Barefoot Contessa/ grilled california pizza.
We’ve done it a few times, and it’s quite tasty.
Merry Christmas!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/grilled-california-pizzas-recipe/index.html
http://browneyedbasics.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/garlic-basil-pizza-dough/
This recipe is from my old blog, but it’s the best homemade pizza dough I’ve ever tasted!
Pizzas are a great idea! We will occasionally have make-your-own-pizza parties, which are a hit with all ages. I either make the dough (Basic Pizza Dough from Cooking Light, myrecipes.com) or buy it from the Publix Bakery (just ask at the counter; they will sell you dough balls for about $2 each). The dough from Publix is very tasty. We will then roll out the dough into individual sizes and then set out a bunch of toppings and sauces. For the last pizza party we had, the offerings included roasted chicken, bacon, baby spinach, roasted garlic, tomato sauce, pesto, chicken Italian sausage (I bought the sausage at Whole Foods), sliced plum tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced fresh mozzarella, and sliced provolone cheese. In the future, some roasted red peppers and goat cheese would be good to throw in the mix as well.
Hi there BooMama! Here is a link to a blog I regularly read – Mandajuice. Amanada’s recipe for homemade pizza is great!!!
http://mandajuice.typepad.com/mandajuice/2008/06/recipe-for-simp.html
I am hooked on the pizza bites from this year’s Gooseberry Patch Christmas. They’re made with a mini muffin pan and flaky layers biscuits. Just spray your pan, tear the biscuits apart into two or three sections and press into pan. Top with pepperoni, a spoonful of sauce and cheese and bake at 350 for 10 or 15 min.
I’m going to try some more froofy toppings to make an assortment of pizza bites for a party I’m having on Monday. And I think I’m going to try the flaky biscuits on a baking sheet instead of in the muffin pan to give them a more personal pan feel. Wish me luck!
I so enjoyed peeking in on everyone’s homes! This was my first tour – maybe next year I’ll post pictures! Thanks for sharing!
My in-laws have been doing pizza for Christmas for years! So fun! We use pizza crust mix, store-bought sauce and let everyone in on the toppings. (Some years we just break down and order Pizza Hut!) Either way, it’s a fun tradition!
I like the dough recipe at Crystal’s blog:
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/2007/09/homemade-pizza-in-less-than-30-minutes.html
Very fast and easy. And for the 2 1/2 cups of flour that it calls for, I use 2 cups white and 1/2 cup wheat. The wheat gives it a little extra texture, and I figure the fiber is good for us all!
This recipe makes one huge pizza or two medium ones. I’ll usually go ahead and make a double batch and make two huge ones (I’m blessed with two 17″ pans)and make two different pizzas. I just use jarred spaghetti sauce, like Ragu or something, and don’t bother with “pizza” sauce per se.
Go to the bakery at Publix and purchase as many rounds of pizza dough as you need. It is YUMMY and easy! It’s as good as homemade – just someone else made it!
Rachael Ray’s Chicken Parm Pizza is delicious!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chicken-parm-pizza-recipe/index.html
Ooh, I have a great crust and sauce recipe. At least my husband and kiddos love it!
The crust is
2 T. olive oil
1 t. sugar or honey
1 t. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. warm water
1 T yeast
Put all the ingredients in the order given into a heavy duty mixer and knead for six minutes Then roll out dough on pan. Prebake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Then spread with sauce and toppings and bake again at 400 for 10-15 minutes.
Sauce:
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 t. sugar or honey
1/2 t. basil
1/4 t. oregano
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 T. olive oil for flavoring (optional – I never add this).
That’s it! :)
Your tour of homes has been fantastic. SO many great ideas!
We grill our pizza! I wrote all about it – the method, ingredients, and took some pics. One of our all-time favorite meals! Simply delicious! And, red and green, too. HO HO HO!
http://grshortstop.blogspot.com/2008/08/grilled-pizza.html
Merry Christmas!
I’m not sure if someone has mentioned this, but we love to make alfredo pizza (we call it “white pizza”). Instead of tomato sauce, use alfredo sauce–I suggest making your own because the jarred stuff is just plain wrong. We put grilled chicken and grilled onions and LOTS of mozz cheese. You could also add mushrooms.
The process is all the same, you just don’t use the marinara or tomato sauce.
We love BBQ chicken pizza. It’s super easy and we “cheat” with pizza crust from the store (Pillsbury or a Boboli crust, either work). Regardless of which one you use–pre-cook the crust (even the Boboli).
For 1 pizza:
2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed
3/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 of a red onion sliced
1 cup shredded mozz. cheese
1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
Put the cubed chicken in a bowl, toss with a little bit of the BBQ sauce.
Use rest of the sauce to coat the pre-browned pizza crust (OK to add more if you want too…).
Top with chicken/BBQ mixture
Top with onions
Top with cheeses
Bake at 375 (or whatever you had the oven set at before to pre-brown the crust) until cheese is melted and bubbles. Yum!
Enjoy! :)
I use frozen bread dough from Kroger for the crust- thaw and roll it out with a rolling pin. And I usually make “stromboli” instead of plain old pizza… layer pizza toppings in a strip down the center of the dough (starting with cheese) and stack as many layers as you can, usually about 2 each. Fold the sides up and press the seam closed down the middle and ends. Flip onto a cookie sheet or baking stone, seam side down, and bake until bread is golden. I like it best when I don’t put sauce in the middle, but serve it on the side for dipping.
Merry Christmas!!
Wise choice about the meal and I cannot thank you enough for not going TMI on the reasons against certain foods! We have a tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve and this year will be having ham for “the Day” since got a loverly one from brother and SIL. Your pizzas sound splendid – DIY is a great idea with Howard getting so grown up and all. Maybe even do cookie or fruit pizzas for ‘zerts? The tour – she is a big ‘un – a bit overwhelming but what clever and creative people read your blog!
Yummy… I love homemade pizzas :) I’m not sure if you have a Trader Joe’s around you, but they have excellent fresh pizza dough, and it’s super cheap! There’s a whole wheat one and a regular one, each near the veggies, and I think it’s like $2. A bargain! I tend to use that and make either pizzas or strombolis. If you don’t have a TJs, one lesson I’ve learned is to get some fresh dough from a local pizza place. We have a couple delicious, local pizza restaurants that will sell me their dough for literally… ONE DOLLAR. It’s totally worth a call to ask. Not only is it delicious, fresh dough… but it certainly saves the time it would take to make your own, and it’s better than the mess you buy in a box at the grocery store to make your own :)
Have a Merry Christmas… or however, you might say that in Italy :)
I just recently started following your blog…from the tour, but I had seen so many other bloggers comment on you, I just had to see for myself. Thanks for the tour, it was great.
The dough recipe I’ve been using lately takes a little advance planning, but it’s so good.
I know you’ve gotten many responses for homemade pizza recipes, but I had to send this to you. I have used this recipe a few times now and it always turns out great: http://tinyurl.com/2mxayc
It’s from Simply Recipes. I think pizza and chicken parmesan are great ideas for Christmas dinners!
We always have homemade pizza on Christmas Day in my family! It it so much fun for everyone to be in the kitchen building their own “perfect” pizza. We make lots and eat it for days. We started this tradition because by the time Christmas came around everyone was tired of traditional meat/potato/veggie. Hope ya’ll have as much fun in your family!
Homemade pizzas are such fun for parties – you can let everyone make their own.
I think you’ll start a great tradition.
The dough recipe I use most is in Martha Stewart’s Hors d’oeuvres Cookbook. It really is easy AND can be made ahead, even frozen.
Here’s my favorite: http://whatwouldmarthacook.blogspot.com/2008/05/vegetarian-gourmet-toppings-for-pizza.html
It links to the dough recipe, too.
Praying you have a wonderful Christmas, friend-with No visits to sickness!
Here is our “make your own pizza” recipe.
And we have the Holiday Stomach Bug of Aught Six story that we like to recall. Or shudder over. Ah, the memories.
I make a mozzarella (hope I spelled that right) pizza with pepperonni,bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers and bananna peppers. I also make cheese sticks with garlic seasoning and sharp cheddar cheese. My hubby loves it! Have a Merry Christmas and hopefully no more stomach bugs.
~ Molly P
Very wise maneuver! Here’s how we do pizza at our place: http://www.lifeasmom.com/2008/07/tgif-make-homemade-pizza.html
I love the homemade pizza idea! We have friends (just another couple) coming over on Christmas eve and I’m already stressed about what to make. How easy that homemade pizzas would be!! I’m gonna steal your idea BooMama.
I don’t know about for the grownups, but for the kiddos at my house, we make biscuit pizza. All you need is whop-em biscuits (you know, the ones in the can that POP when you hit the on the counter because you are physically incapable of opening them), the sauce, and whatever toppings. I just set everything out for my girls, and they make their own individual pizzas. A very popular idea!
Good Morning!
Pizza sound GREAT for Christmas eve! Here’s a super SIMPLE idea, and everyone can choose their own topping! http://sherrissouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2008/10/individual-french-bread-pizzas.html
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!!
No pizza recipes here, but I wanted to tell you this:
I made your cornbread last night (for the second time) and man-oh-man, I think I’m in love. :) And now I can dazzle guests with my delicious cornbread! …because I’ll never tell it’s yours. Call me the credit bandit. :)
Oh how I’m knowing the reason you’re not able to make the dressing and sweet potato casserole. It’s probably the same reason I won’t be able to eat at Chili’s again for a VERY LONG time! The Hubby suggested it for lunch, day before yesterday, and I do believe I started gagging!
Why oh why did the Stomach Virus have to go and ruin such a good thing??!
And I, too, want to NEVER again think about it or re-live it! THE WORST!!
Hope your Christmas pizzas turn out well!
We’ll be having some Italian for dinner that day, too. In the form of frozen lasagna! I’m sure yours’ will be much better. ;)
Here’s to a Stomach Virus Free 2009!!!
I have to echo the grilled pizza and the bbq chicken pizza. Grilled pizza is really yummy if you grill bacon and veggies and put them on top, too. I make 4 homemade pizzas every Saturday for our pizza and movie night, so we do all sorts of different things… ham & pineapple, spinach & feta cheese. It’s so much fun to come up with different toppings and combinations.
Oh no…. I was planning to do my Christmas Tour post this weekend (so busy didn’t get a chance to do it this week). Sorry to hear Mr. Linky will close today :(
Liza
Liza’s Eyeview
A Maui Blog
Unfortunately I don’t have any good pizza recipes. But I did want to thank you again for doing this…and for your generosity. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
I’ll say it again. Nothing worse than ruining good dressing. I hope you recover from the trauma before next year.
I don’t have a specific recipe, but you could also make a fun dessert pizza that Alex could help with.
I’m trying this recipe tomorrow:
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/RecipeDisplay?RID=20
It looks quite tasty! I’m just planning on doing pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. But at a fancy pizza place, I had a pizza with red onions, bacon, a blend of cheeses, and dollops of ricotta cheese, and it was DELECTABLE! MMMMMMMMMMM!
Next Comments →
Comments on this entry are closed.