What to do with those last little bits of prepped food from the week----- PIZZA!

Some of my fondest memories from childhood revolve around going to my friend's home for pizza night. My family never had one and I loved the fact that without fail every Friday night they knew who they were ordering from. Pizza is such a classic. Whether you're grabbing a New Yawwk slice or making it yourself its pretty hard to disappoint when it comes to this dinner option.

In my last few blog entries I've really attempted to hammer in the importance of prep work for the week. Having vegetables, fruits, and meats ready to grab and go to throw into a lunch or pre chopped onions to saute for a burger is always helpful! However, there comes a point where there's isn't a ton of any one food left and you're stuck with the choice to chuck it or figure something out. Have no fear! Pizza night is here. 

Chances are if you've spent some time preparing these fruits and vegetables earlier in the week you like them. Add a little sauce, a little cheese, and a crust AND boom! Dinner.

Scrappy Pizza advice:

• Trader Joe's has an excellent selection of different pizza crusts. Buy them 1-2 days before you plan on using them. Use cornmeal to roll them out. Try their different flavor doughs. Pre-bake the dough on 400 3-6 minutes depending on how awesome your oven is. 
• Avoid dough in a tube. Not good. 
• Homemade dough is tricky and takes a lot of effort. Unless you're willing to have crappy tasting crust or have an hour or two to really make an awesome crust find a premade dough that you enjoy!
• When prebaking your dough I suggest brushing your crust with a little olive oil and sea salt. Yummy.
• Remember traditional pizza can get a little boring. Think of creative sauces instead of tomato. Salsas, salad dressings, or all cheese pizzas can be fantastic. 
• You don't have to make one huge pizza. Using your left overs you can divid your dough into individual pizzas and everyone can make their own.

My Favorite Pizzas: 

Spicy Mexican Inspired Pizza

• Salsa of choice
• Red pepper flakes
• Green chili
• Pepper Jack cheese
• Peppers (red, yellow, red, and orange)
• Ground turkey 
• Red onion
• cilantro

1. Make dough-- prebake with red pepper flakes ( add what you like...I love spicy)
2. Add salsa and green chili evenly to prebaked pizza crust
3. Sprinkle cheese
4. Evenly distribute peppers
5. Bake in oven until cheese is melted and bubbly 
6. While pizza is baking cook ground turkey with chopped onion. You really don't need much, just enough to accompany the pizza slice. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve turkey mixture ontop of pizza, garnish with cilantro.

Veggie Heaven

• 3-6 Roma tomatoes diced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• Blanched (maybe 1 minute) baby spinach 
• thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup black olives sliced
• 1/4 feta cheese
• 3-6 slices of buffalo mozzarella 

1. Prebake crust olive oil, salt and pepper, and tomatoes spread evenly for 3-6 minutes
2. Add baby spinach, red onion, olives, and buffalo mozzarella evenly and back until mozzarella is melted
3. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes and add feta cheese evenly over the pizza

There are a million combinations. If you're looking for low-fat or low-calorie ideas please feel free to leave comments. I can send along ideas for healthier or totally indulgent pizzas!