Memorable Memorial Day

Last week we spent a few minutes deliberating about whether or not we should cook pizzas for Memorial Day or just skip a week and do something more traditional. Several opinions floated around the table and the next thing you know someone says, "People usually cook burgers on Memorial Day" and someone added, "Let's make a burger pizza!" When in doubt, combine some traditions!

Last night we had three pizzas and quite a crowd. Normally we are about five or six, but last night we were nine altogether. I made my usual two balls of dough and, after learning about the additional attendees, picked up a spare ball of dough from Publix.

Pizza One: Cheeseburger Pizza

We used Ragu Pizza Sauce as our base and then mixed in regular yellow mustard, which made all the difference. You simply cannot leave it out! Then, some pre-cooked hamburger meat, fresh tomatoes, cheddar cheese, onions, banana peppers and to top it all off, some mozzarella cheese. When we took a vote for the best pizza of the night many said that they preferred the Burger Pizza, and I believe its success is hugely owed to a simple little ingredient: yellow mustard. Hey, it makes your burger better, why shouldn't it make your Burger Pizza better? In fact, someone mentioned that it tasted exactly like a burger only with pizza dough. Well done Sara!

Pizza Two: Meat Lovers Pizza

The next pizza was a meat lovers pizza with plenty of protein to pack a punch. I know of smoked chicken, ground beef and oodles of cheese. I think Sara said she added pepperoni and salami as well. It was tasty!

Pizza Three: Veggie Pizza

This was our salad as far as we were concerned. Larry said it took twice as long to cook because it was so thickly topped but his patience paid off because the crust was beautifully cooked and the toppings were cooked but still fresh. This pizza tied with the Cheeseburger Pizza for the favorite. But, I've learned by now that Sara makes a killer veggie pizza. I've not had a bad one yet! This one was delicious because she chose to use a white sauce as a base. Toppings included diced mushrooms, sliced red and green pepper, chopped black olives, sliced banana peppers, feta cheese, basil leaves, onion rings, topped with sliced mozzarella and shredded Parmesan cheese.

By the end of the evening - mind you, after some homemade peach cobbler and coffee - we discussed next week. I suggested that we try a dessert pizza. Fearful that any changes might affect the proper rising of my dough, I think we will knead in some cinnamon and sugar after it has risen completely and see what we come up with. Maybe we can do a Cobbler Pizza. I even thought of a Death by Chocolate version where we cook the crust and then spread Nutella on once it's done and, I don't know really, maybe whipped cream and strawberries or even Cherries or something.

Watch this space!