International Sunday

Kade has been asking quite a few questions lately about other countries. I have tried to find ways to answer his questions, which thankfully, are still first grade kind of questions and are relatively easy enough to answer (I KNOW I am not smarter than a fifth grader). It did get me thinking though, of how to get the kids involved in learning a little bit about the "world out there", still keep in fun, interactive and on a level apporopriate to the ages in our household.

We have started and "International Sunday" day. Every Sunday evening we prepare a meal from a different country and whilst we all squeeze into the kitchen to all help make dinner, Mark and I tell them a little more about the country which inspired their gourmet treat for the evening. I intend on planning this a little better in the future and will attempt to get the kids to help research the unique qualities that our themed country for the week has to offer and then decorate and lay the table accordingly. The kids are quite enthusiastic about this idea and to be honest I find it a little exciting too.

Last night was Italian night and we all made pizza from scratch, kneading the dough, chopping all the toppings and grating and sprinkling all the yummy cheese. (could kick myself for not having taken pics). It was a fun evening had by all with squeals of delight when Daddy tossed his pizza dough in the air and caught it "just like a real Italian Pizza man".

If any of you would like to give it a try, the pizza base recipe that we found was really yum and produced a lovely crisp base.

Italian Night Pizza Base Recipe.

• 1 teaspoon dried yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 155 g/5 oz plain flour
• 6 cloves garlic crushed (optional)

Place the yeast, salt, sugar and warm water in a small bowl. Leave, covered in plastic wrap, in a warm place for 10 minutes, or until foamy. Sift the flour into a large bowl, make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and garlic. Mix to form a dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Roll out to fit a 30cm (12 inch) greased or non stick pizza tray.

For our family of 5 we doubled this recipe. (Recipe taken from "Cooking Italian" cookbook.)

Spread the bases with a tomato sauce and let everyone have fun decorating their own pizzas. Bake in a preheated oven 200C/400F for about 20-30 minutes or until the base is cooked through.