Anyone use the TimeHop app?  It shows you what you were doing the same day in years past.  Every morning I love to check it.  It's funny because usually I'm doing the same thing--the last 4 years we've been sick on the same days and I find I even serve the same meals on the same days!

Today's TimeHop showed pictures of this recipe from 5 years ago--it's my favorite go-to flatbread.  You can make your own crust or buy one from the store.  I love Aldi's thin pizza crust or flatbread from the grocery store.  They are usually pretty inexpensive!

Pizza Friday is a new tradition we've started since the twins started school.  We like to spend Friday nights unwinding and just spending quality time together.  During pizza night, we like to pick out  a new movie from the library or play some new games.  Usually the girls are super tired from the week and end up crashing by 8:00, so Ricky and I have a date night at home, too!  Win-win!

While it's easy to order pizza delivery for convenience, if you keep a few pizza staples in your pantry, you can make one at home much faster!  We get thin crust 2-packs at Aldi (around $3!) and keep our favorite toppings on hand.  Usually, the girls want pepperoni + sausage or Hawaiian and then we like to experiment for ours.  (Somehow the three girls polish off a pizza of their own! Where they put this food is beyond me!)

I usually make a pizza that's heavy on veggies with a sprinkle of meat, while Ricky puts ONLY meat on his.  It's fun to come up with crazy combinations or use up leftovers!  A few weeks ago I used fajita veggies and pulled pork.  Ricky made a chorizo and pesto one with an egg on top.

This spinach + artichoke pizza is my go-to.  I like that there's no greasy meat and it's super simple to throw together. If you're hosting a party, this slices up well for an appetizer, too!  You can add grilled chicken for extra protein, too!  This recipe originated from Rachael Ray Magazine, but I've changed it a bit over the years to make it my own.  

Spinach + Artichoke Flatbread

Here's what you need:

• Favorite pizza crust or flatbread
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half if large
• 1 small jar of artichokes, drained and sliced
• 3 handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1 drizzle of EVOO (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1 teaspoon favorite Italian seasoning
• 2-3 tablespoons pesto sauce (we love the Kirkland one at Costco)
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (Separated)
• 2 cups Italian blend cheese 

1. Preheat oven to 425. 
2. In a small bowl, combine spinach, artichokes and tomatoes.  Add drizzle of EVOO and Italian seasoning.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Set aside.
3. On the flatbread or pizza crust, spread Pesto sauce.  Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. 
4. Evenly spread the spinach mixture on top of the crust and top with cheese.  I usually use less than 2 cups of cheese.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Are you ready to join the #PizzaFriday Challenge?  

I would love to see what pizza creations you come up with on Instagram or Facebook!

Best pizza crust EVER!

Sunday nights are one of the only nights that Ricky has off of work, so we always make a big dinner.  Ricky loves to cook, but it just turns out that I am the main chef in the family because of this schedule. 

Last Sunday I was catching up on my magazines and I saw a recipe for an olive oil pizza crust in Family Fun magazine.  I really wanted to try it, since we planned on making pizza, but I knew it was going be hard to convince Ricky.  He is half Italian and originally from Chicago.  When he makes pizza, he uses a family recipe that you don't mess with.  It's amazing, but I like to switch things up.

After much coaxing, we decided to try this out.  I will say, this is the BEST CRUST EVER!  Of course, Ricky is still up in the air about it ...but I would have to say his clean plate said it all. 

Yes, making your own crust takes some time.  But it will be worth it!  The next day, I made a double batch using the Kitchen Aid and now we have 4 crusts waiting for us in the freezer.  I would recommend doing the same!

Olive Oil Crust (aka BEST CRUST EVER!)

From: September 2012 Family Fun magazine

Ingredients: (Makes 2 large crusts or 4 mini)

• 1 1/3 cups warm water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for the bowl
• 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

Let's make some dough (prepare to get messy!)

1. In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), stir together water, yeast and sugar.  Set aside until foamy and bubbling (5-6 minutes).  Stir in olive oil.
2. Here's where it gets fun.  Choose which way you're going: mixer or muscle (aka hands).
• In a MIXER: add 3 1/4 cups of flour and salt to the bowl.  Using the hook attachment, mix everything at medium speed.  Knead for 5 minutes
• With your hands (use those muscles!):  Stir in 3 1/4 cups of flour and salt and mix with a wooden spoon, or hands.  Sprinkle a dry surface with flour and knead the dough until it is soft (about 10 minutes).  If it's really sticky , add more flour.
3. Oil a large bowl and with floured hands, place the dough in the bowl and coat with the oil.  Cover with a clean towel and set to rise for about 1 hour.
4. You can use the dough right away (duh!), cover and put it in the fridge overnight
• If you want to freeze it, punch it down and wrap tightly in plastic

Are you ready to tackle your own dough?

Here's how ours turned out:

Mine had Italian sausage (real, not turkey), kale, pesto and peppers.  The kale added the best flavor, I would recommend it!!  Ricky was giving me a look because I put kale in everything lately, but he really liked it too.

Ricky tackled the deep dish.  We weren't too sure how it would end up, but he made it perfectly.  He added a whole 1/2 inch thick layer of sausage, pesto and I don't even want to know how much cheese.  Definitely not a diet pizza, but sometimes you have to make what you enjoy!

What are your favorite toppings for a pizza?