Making homemade Pizza with my son in our old bungalow

Yesterday we made pizza at our table in our old bungalow kitchen.   We had been reviewing the letter "P" and the sound it makes.  In montessori, they focus on the sound the letter makes.  We talked about words that start with "P."  We made chocolate chip pancakes in the morning, went to the park, and made pizza for dinner.  It is astounding how many children are tactile defensive, meaning they are super sensitive to touch.  My son loves touching any kinds of food, and we've been baking together since he was able to sit up.  I've found making pizza dough and touching all the ingredients is a great way to have children work with their hands and get comfortable with touch, plus it is strengthening for little hands!  My son loves it, he says that next time he wants another little pizza for himself.

We sometimes shred mozzarella cheese on our own, or I buy the "pizza blend" already shredded Wisconsin cow mozzarella and provolone cheese at market hall.  They also sell prepared pizza dough and sauce.   My son loves the taste of the Fra Mani Sopressata at market hall, and they do not add nitrates.  I asked specifically for ones that are nitrate free, though I was told there are some naturally occurring nitrates anyway.

I got a book a few years ago that has some wonderful recipes for children.  The focus is on ingredients you can get at the farmer's market and then come home and make delicious slow food!  I love the pizza recipe and have used it several times.

I use gluten free dough, since I am gluten free.  I used  Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust, and a pizza stone to make the pizza crispy like a pizza parlor.  I have gone through a few stones in my cooking pizza time since they break pretty easily.  I worked at Shakey's pizza years ago, so making pizza brings me great joy!  There is something about having my son and I's hands in the dough laughing that makes the world feel perfect for that moment.

When I was growing up, on the weekends we used to go to my aunt and uncle's house and while the parents were hanging out, the kids would make Appian Way Pizza.  With that mix, everything is in the box for you, except the cheese.  It may be fun to pick up a box now to see what it tastes like.  I remember how much fun that tradition was, of making pizza together.

Resources:

Recipe book for children:

At The Farmer's Market With Kids
By Leslie Jonath and Ethel Brennan
Recipes and Projects for Little Hands
Chronicle Books, LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA  94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
(This book has a recipe for tomato and mozzarella pizza, including dough and tomato sauce from scratch.)

Bob's Red Mill
Wheat Free, Gluten Free
Pizza Crust, whole grain mix
(This pizza mix even includes the yeast, which some mixes don't, so keep some on hand!)
13521 SE Pheasant Court
Milwaukie, Oregon  97222
(This package also has a recipe for gluten free cinnamon rolls that look really yummy!)

Fra Mani Sopressata
( nitrate free, similar to pepperoni or salami)
Rockridge Market Hall
Oakland, CA
(510) 250-6005

Bialetti
Pizza Baking Set
(Set includes 14 3/4 Pizza Stone, serving rack, pizza cutter, recipe booklet, and wooden pizza peel)
Bradshaw International, Inc.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA  91730
(The pizza stone is also great for baking fresh or frozen breads, rolls, or biscuits.)