IDEAS FOR WELCOMING A NEW NEIGHBOR

There are many ways to welcome new neighbors. When we were moving in to our present home, it was nice when people around us welcomed us with pies and cookies. I have an alternative suggestion that is different, and also very nice.

MAKE A HOMEMADE PIZZA

It isn't hard to make pizza and you are presenting them with a meal which is great for someone who is busy and trying to settle in. I don't bake the pizza first, I just put it together and give it to them and they can bake it when they want to or freeze it for later. First I head to the dollar store and get a flat baking sheet or sometimes they have a round pizza tray. I also get a small basket and a covered bowlwhich I will explain later. I also need some groceries, flour, yeast, oil, pizza sauce, canned mushrooms, canned black olives, pepperoni and italian sausage. A nice head of lettuce, a tomato and a bottle of italian dressing.

DOUGH

2 cups all purpose flour

1 package quick rise yeast dissolved in 3/4 cup lukewarm water

2 TBSP. olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

Put the flour in a bowl and make a hole in the middle, add the water with the yeast dissolved in it, olive oil and salt. Mix carefully until it all comes together in a nice ball. It is gooey at first but it comes together nicely, if it still seems a little too sticky , add a small amount of oil and mix again, if too dry add a little more water. You must knead the dough for a good 3 minutes to get it nice and elastic and smooth.

Place the dough in a well oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for a couple of hours until it is doubled.

On a well floured surface roll out the dough with a rolling pin or you can just shape it by working it out with your hands. I like it nice and thin.

I now put the rolled out dough on the tray from the dollar store or pizza pan or sometimes I find a low cost pan at the grocery store. Any will do as long as they are somewhat sturdy. After getting the dough fitted on the pan, I add the sauce. I usually buy Contadina. You can make your own pizza sauce, but for me the canned sauces are just as good for pizza. After the sauce, sprinkle about 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and then the mozzarella, I like it cheesy so I use 4 cups of cheese. Now I take and completely cover it with plastic wrap, securely. This way if they want they can freeze it for later. When its time to cook, bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until browned and bubbly.

I never know what people like on pizza, we are all different so I buy the toppings and put them in the dollar store basket on the side. I get a can of mushrooms, a can of sliced black olives and a package of pepperoni. I also cook up some italian sausage and put that in a baggie. You can include whatever toppings you can think of, but if they are on the side, everyone can add what they want and hopefully everyone is happy.

Next I take a head of lettuce and chop it up and put it in the covered bowl. With that I give them a few fresh tomatoes and a bottle of italian dressing on the side again.

 I realize this takes a little more effort, but once you have the shopping done and then the dough made, the rest is very easy. I have had many positive responses with this. Most people now or at least around us, buy the home with the appliances so usually the stove is all set. I always check and then I would offer to bake the pizza if they wanted me too. So far I haven't had that happen. I write the baking directions and tape it to the pizza. Again bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until browned and bubbly. It is a nice alternative and a nice way to say welcome! I have also done this in other circumstances, such as a new baby or if someone has a loved one in the hospital, I send it over for the family members. I hope it works for you.