Valentine’s day is the next big event we have in a couple of days. This year it is a Monday on February 14th. So in between kids’ homework and basketball and soccer practice, a lot of families may not be able to make it a special only for Mom and Dad kind of celebration. Years back when we were new in Phoenix and my daughter was only one and half years old, we had spent one Valentine’s evening driving all over Phoenix looking for a place to eat. Of course we had no idea that all restaurants have a long queue that day and you have to book in advance. So after waiting for three hours, at 11P.M. we finally got a table for two in a seafood restaurant in Tempe. Since then we have avoided eating out on Valentine’s day. Usually, our family Valentine’s day celebration involves everyone getting pedicures and manicures followed by pizza from any pizza chain. Over the years this schedule has gone numerous modifications and now involves making some simple homemade goodies that even the kids can help. It involves the whole family with Mom, Dad and kids; in the end everyone has a good time. Here are two recipes for making a simple homemade pizza and mini ice cream cups called strawberry delights for dessert.
Valentine’s Pizza with little hearts
- 1 14” pizza dough (you can buy prebaked crust or frozen pizza dough)
- 2 tbsp tomato basil pasta sauce (can be substituted with any tomato sauce)
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 10-12 pieces pepperoni (cut like little hearts)
- 1 green bell pepper (cut like matchsticks)
- 1 red onion (sliced)
Method
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll and stretch the pizza dough to form a disk of 12-14”. If using prebaked crust, simply place the pizza crust on a round pizza platter. Spread the tomato sauce evenly. Spread the mozzarella cheese over the tomato layer. Arrange the pepperoni all over the dough so that they look like mini hearts on the pie. Place one bell pepper stick over each pepperoni heart so that it looks like a cupid’s arrow over a heart. Also put onions in the empty places. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top and bake till the crust is light brown (soft and a little crunchy) and the cheese melts (about 10-15 minutes). Cut into wedges and serve hot.
Strawberry delights
- 6 brown small muffin cups
- 1 pint vanilla or strawberry ice cream
- 6-8 graham crackers (crushed finely) or mini tart shells
- 1 bottle chocolate syrup
- 1 jar of strawberry jam
- 4-5 medium strawberries (cut into halves to look like hearts)
Method
Arrange the muffin cups on a tray. In a bowl mix the graham cracker pieces with the chocolate syrup. Place 1 tsp in each cup and line the base. Alternately, you can use mini tart shells and squeeze some chocolate syrup in it. Next put 1 scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream on the chocolate-graham cracker layer. Top with ½ tsp of strawberry jam and 1 strawberry half. Serve immediately or place the tray in the freezer till everyone is ready for dessert. Let the kids put the jam on top and decorate with the strawberry hearts.
Note: You can buy the pizza dough and all the ingredients at any Valley grocery like Fry's, Basha's and Fresh and Easy.
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