FAST FRIDAY PIZZA

I don’t usually recommend “ready-made” pizza crusts because I think homemade just tastes better and it really doesn’t take that long to make.  However when you need to pull supper together quickly---it’s great to use refrigerated pizza crusts (from a can),  a prepackaged pizza crust that you find alongside the tortilla shells in your grocery store, or (my favorite) English muffins.   Then all you have to do is look in the fridge to see what you can use for pizza toppings.  It’s really a great way to use up leftover meats and fresh vegetables.  Be creative and let family members build their own pizza.  The prepackaged pizza crusts and English muffins are great to keep in the freezer.  That way you’re ready when the pizza mood strikes.  Just keep cheese on hand and you’re good to go!  I’ll post my favorite “from scratch” thin crust recipe another day, but don’t forget to also try the Chicago style deep dish pizza that I posted in October.

Ingredients:

Refrigerated pizza crust (in a can); Prepackaged pizza crust (in the bread section of the grocery store) or English Muffins (also in the bread section).

Cornmeal

Vegetables of your choice:  very thinly sliced

Onions

Red, yellow or green bell pepper

Zucchini (very thinly sliced)

mushrooms

Tomatoes

Tomato sauce

Meat(s) of your choice: shredded

Deli ham or turkey

Pepperoni or Canadian bacon

Cheese(s) of your choice:  shredded

Italian blend

Provolone

Mozzarella

Parmesan

Salt/Pepper/Olive oil

Instructions:

*If using refrigerated pizza crust, open the can and roll out carefully onto a floured surface.  Leave in a rectangular shape or roll it into a circular shape.  Place the crust on a pizza stone or a baking sheet that has been lightly sprinkled with cornmeal.

*If using prepackaged pizza crust, open the bag and place the crust on a pizza stone or a baking sheet that has been lightly sprinkled with cornmeal.

*If using English Muffins, split them and place them on a baking sheet.

*Layer desired toppings on the crust beginning with vegetables and ending with cheese.

*Bake at 400 degrees or until crust is cooked and cheese is browned.