Home made pizza night (yes scratch dough)

I purchased a big bag of fresh spinach from Sprouts on Sunday.

I tossed it in Olive oil and some Italian seasoning and steamed it for a few minutes... Just to soften it.

My 6 year old sang Popeye The Sailor man with me as we ate it. 3 year old wouldn't even taste it. 

While the boys played in their room, I threw pizza yeast, just under 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 1/2 tsp sugar 4 tbsp canola oil, and quite a few seasonings (Pensky Italian, oregano, garlic and herb...) whisked that all together and poured 2/3 cup water that I'd microwaved 1 minute.

Kneaded the dough for 4 minutes (ok, I didn't time it, but it seemed like 3 minutes minimum)

Then stretched the dough out pretty thin. Used my pizza cutter, divided it into 3 parts. I reshaped the boys pizzas into circles.. God forbid they aren't round, then it isn't pizza, of course.

They put the sauce and toppings onto theirs and I did for mine (meanwhile the ovens getting to 425’)

11 minutes, bam - dinner is ready

Maybe 30 minutes in all to have a completely fresh, homemade, everyone is happy - meal.

 Mine is a combo of yellow peppers, fresh spinach, cheese, olive oil and sauce.

Perhaps less corn meal on the pans or more olive oil on the crust... Other than that.. Tasty!!

1/2 of my pizza is left over, bet my husband eats it before I can get to it.

Peanut butter & bacon sandwich

My six year old asked me to post his latest creation.

It's Sarah lee whole wheat 45 calorie bread

Trader joes crunchy natural peanut butter

And Oscar Meyer turkey bacon.

Surprisingly tasty.

Any time I can add any source of protein into their lives, the better.

Best chicken nuggets

Home made chicken nuggets using what you have. (I call them "who needs McDonald's")

This batch we tried Doritos, Cheerios, and gold fish (military style red, white & blue)

First slice your chicken into 1x1" squares, dredge in flour (we use kings)

After dredge in a milk/egg mix (about 1 cup skim & 2 eggs, I also added about 2tbsp honey)

I filled 3 sandwich zip top bags about 3/4 full with each flavor and crushed with back of large spoon.

About 4 pieces of the chicken fit into each bag at a time, shake (like shake and bake) then put in medium heat pan with canola (or your favorite oil) oil 1/2" deep

Tonight they cooked about 2 1/2 minutes per side, check temp or slice one open for doneness.

Top row is goldfish cracker, center is Cheerios and bottom is Doritos.

We've used honey nut Cheerios in the past and they are super delish, tonight was plain Cheerios and it came out sort of bland. These are the results of only 2 chicken breasts!! Seriously cheap meal, and everyone is happy because they choose their own flavor.

Here is what you'll need:

1 deep pan

1 cup skim milk

2 eggs

(Optional) honey 

1/2-1 cup dry cereal, chips, or other crushable food. *per bag* the more daring the choice, the more exciting the outcome.

1 1/2 cups flour (white, whole wheat etc)

2 large shallow bowls

3 sandwich sized zip top bags.

Serving fork for turning chicken in pan

Whisk for blending wet ingredients

Turn the pan on to warm it while you crush the dry ingredients in the bags. Then add oil just before you're ready to place chicken in.

Total prep / cook time for me was 1/2 hour, add 10-15 minutes your first try.

Kids will LOVE & even ask to help crush, be aware it may cause a huge mess. Supervise to ensure bags don't break, but do let them help!