Pizza is one of my kids' favorite foods, and honestly, its many people's favorite foods, for good reasons. However, once you factor in the price of ordering multiple pies of pizza, especially for those with larger families, it can be quite pricey. However, no reason not to make it at home! Here's some reasons why making pizza at home is a great idea, from a reader.
Pizza is one of the ultimate family foods. It's great for sharing, and the options for toppings are almost limitless (though some people take this much, much too far). Also, it's just so easy. You can order it as a takeaway or you can help yourself straight from the freezer after a long day, and it's always a crowd-pleaser with the kids.
Even though it's temping to order from the place down the street, it can be even more enjoyable to make pizza at home. It's worth that little extra effort for 5 reasons.
1) It's Surprisingly Cheap
The ingredients for dough are so cheap (flour, yeast, salt, water and a little olive oil), and the toppings don't have to be costly. Tinned tomatoes are a great base, and while cheese can cost a little more, basic toppings like mushrooms and peppers are inexpensive and delicious. And remember, you're barely using any on each pizza!
2) Simple as (Pizza) Pie
Making your own pizza doesn't take much time or effort at all. Once you've prepared the dough, all you have to do is spread your toppings out and you're ready to cook. There are so many great videos on making pizzas available online, as well as step-by-step recipes, and it can be fun to try out different styles as you grow in confidence.
As you get used to preparing the dough, it'll become a faster, more natural-feeling process, until you can do it with your eyes shut. It's true that throwing flour around can get a bit messy, but it's quick to wipe down the counters and you only need to get one tray dirty per pizza, so washing up is pretty minimal. And this brings us onto the best part...
3) Kids in the Kitchen
Making pizza is a family-friendly activity. Play-Doh exists for a reason, and that's because dough is something that kids love to play with!
Give your child a ball of floury dough to knead on a counter and see how much they enjoy it. The advantage of real dough is that everybody gets a meal out of it at the end, and also they can learn how to make pizzas for themselves. It's a skill that people will love for their entire lives!
Home cooking is always something worth involving your children in, and pizza is a wonderful place to start. Arranging toppings to look pretty is its own kind of craft project, and being able to select their favorites and try new flavors means more options for even fussy eaters.
4) Pizza Party
Pizza is a social food, and that goes beyond just immediate family. Inviting neighbors, friends and relatives over for a barbecue in summer is traditional; why not make it a pizza party?
5) Slice of a Good Life
Cooking pizza in the garden doesn't have to be something you save for social occasions, either. What better way to spend a summer evening with your family than to sit outdoors sharing your own home-made pizzas and enjoying cold drinks as the light fades? Especially as there's barely any washing up to deal with afterwards!
It can seem a little daunting at first, but preparing fresh pizzas with your children is such an inexpensive and rewarding way to put great food on the table. Just remember to get an apron or some old clothes on before letting them loose with the flour!