About a year ago, I gave up buying frozen pizza. This was hard to do, simply because they are so cheap and easy. But let's face it - the traditional ones are loaded with fat, calories, salt, and preservatives, and the newer, healthier ones are way overpriced for what you get. So, I started buying my own ingredients for pizza... and fell in love. Here are 5 reasons why:
- Your crust options are almost unlimited. You can make your own, semi-make your own, buy a fresh crust (white or whole wheat, round or square, thick or thin), buy a refrigerated crust, or be creative with pita or other flat bread. You can make the crust as quick and easy, as inexpensive, or as wholesome as you want. I am not personally loyal to any one of the many available options, but I'm open to suggestions for any "must try" crusts!
- Your sauce options are almost unlimited. I'm betting at any point and time you have something that you can make into a pizza sauce. Of course there are always the pizza and marinara sauces you can buy at the store. But what if you don't have any in your pantry? Try making a homemade alfredo or pesto. Or use some barbeque sauce. Or grab some canned tomato sauce and add some italian spices. Heck, if all else fails you can even just use some garlic and olive oil.
- Your topping options are almost unlimited. What do you have in the house today? I bet it goes on pizza! Last night I opened our fridge and said "Hmmm... we have half a package of mushrooms and about a 1/4 can of black olives. Those are going on a pizza." Then I went to the garden and said "Hmmm... we have some red onion, some tomatoes (yellow pear and regular) and some fresh basil. Those are going on the pizza." Then I went to the freezer and said "Hmm... we have half a package of sundried tomato and herb turkey sausages. Those are going on the pizza." Maybe not all combinations of all ingredients will work, but almost anything can go on a pizza! Your only limit is your imagination!
- You can suit individual tastes without extra effort. My husband doesn't care for black olives, so I only sprinkled them on part of the pizza. He likes pepperoni, so sometimes I put pepperoni on half and leave half without. Even super picky eaters will be happy with a plain cheese pizza - how easy is that?
- No matter what is on there, now matter how much time or effort I put into it, I always get the same reaction from my husband: "Pizza? Yum!!"
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I agree!!! We have been making homeade pizza more often around here! and they have been better received as I have scoped out better tasting options. Although I must admit, when I want pizza, I like traditional pizza. However, I use times when I "clean out the fridge" to make variations like pizza casserole, calzones, or crescent roll pizza bake (YUMMY!) but that's just me... and it allows the family to enjoy a more healthy version of pizza.
ReplyDeleteI've probably told you this before but a must try is Trader Joe's whole wheat pizza crust in the refrigerated section. Can't go wrong for $.99 and it does freeze well, I have tried many times! I will try to bring you some! They also have really good sauce that's very natural. I will also share with you a sauce I have made and really like, it's simple and delish.
I wish I could ban frozen pizza around here but I think 3 members of my family would move out :) so cutting back is a good first step and so far it's working!!
Never, never, never, never, never!!! I actually tried to cut out the frozen pizza many years ago. It was tolerated during Lent when I made plain cheese or margherita pizza, but I was politely asked to buy frozen pizzas for other days. We don't eat pizza all that often anyway, so I'll keep buying it for what it is - convenient junk food!
ReplyDeleteUgh friend. but they are so yummy. My college tendencies are going to stay with the frozen pizza for now.. but maybe I will re-think it soon :)
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