It is hard for working parents to be able to fit in quality time with their children. Next time when you are preparing a meal for your family invite your children to help. Make it an extra fun night by giving your children the opportunity to make and design their own pizzas. That way you can toss together a quick and easy salad with homemade dressing to go on the side. After everyone is done eating, treat your family to a delicious Kool-Aid float.

Homemade Pizza Dough, Pizza Sauce and Toppings, Olive Garden’s House Dressing, Kool-Aid Floats

Homemade Pizza Dough

Ingredients

1 packet active dry yeast

1 Tbs. white sugar

2 1/2 C. warm water (110 degrees)

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 Tbs. salt

1/2 C. whole-wheat flour

5 1/2 C. bread flour

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let sit until creamy; about 10 minutes. Stir the olive oil, whole-wheat flour, salt and 4 C. of the bread flour into the yeast mixture. Mix in the remaining flour, 1/2 C. at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and put in a warm place to rise until doubled in volume; about 1 hour. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and form into rounds. Cover the rounds and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into the desired shape, cover it with your favorite toppings and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the crust and cheese are golden brown.

Yield: 3 pizza crusts

Pizza Sauce and Toppings Ingredients

1 C. or 1 can tomato sauce

1-2 tsp. garlic salt

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. sugar

1 Tbs. olive oil or salad oil

2 tsp. Parmesan cheese

1/2 lb. browned ground beef

1-1 1/2 C. grated mozzarella cheese

1/2 C. green pepper (optional)

1/2 C. chopped onions (optional)

Directions

Mix tomato sauce, garlic salt, oregano and sugar together. Brush crust with oil and spread sauce over dough. Top with Parmesan cheese, browned ground beef, mozzarella cheese, green pepper and chopped onions. Cover and place in freezer overnight. Bake at 425 degrees for 25- 30 minutes or until crisp and brown.

Olive Garden’s House Dressing Ingredients

1/2 C. distilled white vinegar

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 Tbs. beaten egg

1/3 C. water

1/3 C. vegetable oil

1/4 C. corn syrup

3 Tbs. grated Romano cheese

2 Tbs. dry, unflavored pectin

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/4 tsp. dried parsley

1 pinch dried oregano

1 pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

Pour the vinegar, lemon juice, and egg into a blender; Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

Serves 12.

Note: Mixing the raw egg with vinegar and lemon juice will kill any Salmonella present. Serve this dressing over mixed greens or use as a marinade for your favorite meat.

Kool-Aid Floats

Ingredients

3 envelopes unsweetened strawberry Kool-Aid

3 C. sugar

6 qt. cold water

1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 liter ginger ale, chilled

1-2 qt. raspberry or orange sherbet

Directions

In large pitcher, mix Kool-Aid with sugar and water according to package directions. Stir in orange juice concentrate. Just before serving add the ginger ale. Scoop sherbet into glasses. Pour Kool-Aid mixture over sherbet..