Family Pizza Night: Build-Your-Own Pizzas with Infused Olive Oils

Pizza night becomes more than dinner when everyone gets a place at the counter and a chance to create. Individual pizzas are easy to customize, fun for children and adults, and perfect for exploring different olive-oil flavors.

Set Up a Simple Pizza Station

Arrange the ingredients in small bowls before inviting everyone into the kitchen. Keep the choices colorful but manageable: sauce, cheese, two proteins, four or five vegetables, herbs and a few olive oils are plenty. Place raw meat on a separate tray and use dedicated utensils to avoid cross-contamination.

Ingredients for Four Individual Pizzas

•  1 pound prepared pizza dough, divided into four portions
•  1/2 cup pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes
•  2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
•  1 cup sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes or onions
•  1/2 cup sliced olives
•  Cooked chicken, sausage or pepperoni, optional
•  Fresh basil, arugula or oregano
•  Verde Valley Garlic Olive Oil, Fresh Basil Olive Oil, Tuscan Herb Olive Oil or Spicy Calabrian Pesto Olive Oil
•  Cornmeal or flour for the work surface

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 475°F. If using a pizza stone or steel, place it in the oven while it heats.
2. Stretch each portion of dough into a 7- to 8-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Transfer the rounds to parchment or a cornmeal-dusted baking sheet.
3. Brush each crust lightly with olive oil, leaving a small border. Add sauce, cheese and selected toppings without overloading the dough.
4. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on thickness, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
5. Let the pizzas rest for 2 minutes. Finish each one with a small drizzle of the olive oil that best matches its toppings, then add fresh herbs.

Four Flavor Combinations to Try

•  Margherita: tomato, mozzarella, basil and Fresh Basil Olive Oil.
•  Garden pizza: peppers, mushrooms, red onion, olives and Tuscan Herb Olive Oil.
•  Garlic chicken: cooked chicken, spinach, mozzarella and Garlic Olive Oil.
•  Spicy vegetable: peppers, onion, tomato and a restrained drizzle of Spicy Calabrian Pesto or Harissa Hot Olive Oil.

Make the Experience the Main Event

Give each cook a small piece of parchment with their name on it, then place the finished pizza on that sheet for serving. Add a salad and an olive oil-balsamic dipping dish for the crusts. The meal stays relaxed, everyone gets what they like, and children gain confidence helping in the kitchen. Choose the oils for your next family pizza night: Shop Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders