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  Pizza "Bugs"
(Makes 8)

Ingredients:
Pizza dough:
1 tablespoon dried yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (100 -110 degrees F)

5 - 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 cup warm water (100 - 110 degrees F)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the first 3 ingredients.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a small plate.  Set aside to allow the yeast to activate, 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Place the remaining ingredients into a large mixing bowl and add the sponge mixture.  Using a wooden spoon, stir until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough into a large oiled bowl and turn to coat.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight fitting lid or plate.
  6. Let the dough rise in a warm place, until doubled in size - about 1 hour.
  7. Punch the dough down and knead lightly until smooth.
  8. The dough can be used for Pizza, Calzones or Focaccia.


Filling:
1 x 8 ounce can pizza sauce or pasta sauce
1 x 3.5 ounce pack sliced pepperoni
1 x 8 ounce pack shredded mozzarella cheese

Decoration:
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks (julienne)
8 cherry tomatoes
16 pimiento-stuffed green olives
3 egg yolks
Red, green and yellow food coloring
3 teaspoons water

Directions:

  1. Follow directions for pizza dough, up to step 6.
  2. While the dough is proving, make the 'paint': Place the egg yolks in three small bowls.  Add one
    teaspoon of water to each bowl and several drops of desired food coloring to each bowl.  Beat each
    mixture with a fork until well combined; set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. When the dough has doubled in size.  Punch it down and divide into 8 equal pieces. 
  5. To make one pizza bug: Take one piece of bread dough and cut into two equal pieces. Using your hands,
    roll each piece into a ball, then flatten or roll out each piece into a 4 inch circles (these will be the top and bottom of the bug).
  6. Place a small amount of pizza sauce ( about 1 tablespoon) up to 1/4 inch from the edge of one of the flattened bread dough.
  7. Top with cheese and pepperoni.
  8. Place a few carrot sticks around the edge of the pizza, forming legs.
  9. Wet the edge of the pizza with water.  Top with the other piece of flattened bread dough and press the
    edges together with fingers to seal.
  10. Using a clean paintbrush, paint the top of pizza bug with colored egg mixtures.
  11. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining bread dough.
  12. Bake in preheated oven for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Meanwhile, attach olives to tomato with toothpicks to form eyes.  Press in two carrot sticks to form antennae.
  14. Transfer the baked pizza bug to plate and place tomato to form head.
  15. To make a 'Pizzapede': Arrange all the pizza bugs in a line (with no heads) and place one head on the
    first in line.

 
     
  Contact me at maxinebussell@aol.com 
Fun and Easy Recipes for Kids, Teens & Parents