One of the cornerstones of American culture has become – for better or for worse – being busy. We work hard, we play hard. We move fast, we talk fast, we eat fast. Sit down meals and family time have become things of the past, novelties that have been obliterated by various commitments of different household members, or at best replaced by shared television watching time. We have sacrificed the rituals of cooking, dining, talking and cleaning together in order to make space in our lives for screens, sports practice or late-night meetings. We choose to eat meals that are quick and convenient to make, or easy to pick up from the friendly fast food joint around the corner. We have made it a habit to eat alone and quickly, sometimes standing, often in front of a computer or TV.
But according to an article published in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, “frequent family meals are associated with a lower risk of smoking, drinking and using drugs, with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, and with better grades in 11 to 18 year olds” (2004). By spending time with people we love, making space in our schedules to truly connect and share information, and focusing our attention on meaningful personal interactions, we inherently promote healthier lifestyles.
Moreover, when we can pay attention to the amount and quality of food we are consuming, we encourage better diet and nutrition. One study conducted by researchers at Harvard found that “families who reported eating together everyday or almost everyday took in more healthy nutrients,” and ate fewer snack foods than families that did not. Simply by taking time to eat together around a table, these families’ risk of obesity and related complications were reduced significantly.
Fine – you are saying – we get it! Regular, healthy, happy, shared meals are important and extremely beneficial. But what can we make that will still be cost-effective and time-appropriate for the demands of my home? And, what can we make that everyone will want to eat?
Don’t worry – I have just the thing. Homemade pizza is a dish that is perfect for sharing, moldable to all different tastes, cheap, fun and easy to make, and far healthier for you than anything you can find in a carry-out restaurant. I highly recommend exploring the world of family dinners with this tasty recipe up your sleeve. Corralling the people you love in a kitchen for an evening of flour fights, topping tastes and conversation that exceeds “pass the remote,” will definitely be worth your time.
Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (you can replace 1 cup with wheat flour if you prefer)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
Desired toppings (example: tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, cooked meats, pineapple)
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let mixture rest for 5 minutes.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pan.
5. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.
One of the greatest things about pizza-making is that even with picky eaters in the house, you have room to satisfy all taste-buds. For best results/the least amount of leftovers, let each pizza participant create their own potpourri of tastes. My favorite topping combination is spinach, onion, mushrooms and feta cheese with tomato sauce. Report back with your own delicious concoctions!