And the all time favorite Game Day Meal? Pizza, Pizza, Pizza!
Okay, I promise this is my last suggestion for what you should make, serve, and EAT for your 2014 Super Bowl get together!
These photos are actually from a game day earlier this season. The 49ers were playing the Packers and we had a couple of friends over to watch. Not only was it a good game, but Josh is a giant 49ers fan, and our friend is a huge Packers fan. Needless to say, the friendly rivalry made for a fun, competitive game, especially since the 49ers won!
In case you’re wondering, no, I haven’t hidden any leafy vegetables or cauliflower in this crust. Nor am I trying to fool you with almond meal in place of flour. Not that I don’t love all of those things in my pizza crust, cause I definitely do! But in this case, when I’m feeding more than just family and especially for a big game, it’s best to go with the real thing!
Although there is nothing outlandishly healthy about these pizzas, they are still made from scratch which gives you the opportunity to eliminate all preservatives and use wholesome ingredients. The typical pizza from Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, or other take out pizza joints, contain large amounts of MSG and sodium in the dough along with other preservatives. They also are high in fat due to processed meats and loads of cheese. When you make your pizza at home from scratch, the amount and quality of cheese and meats is completely up to you.
I’ve included a couple of recipes below for the crust, one I use with my bread machine and the other is perfect if you don’t have a bread machine. As far as the flavors for each pizza, I wanted three very different flavors in hopes of making something for everyone. However, while I wanted a variety, I love onions and peppers on my pizza, so I chopped up a large quantity of those and used them as a staple for each of the three pizzas.
When it comes to topping a pizza, the quantity is up to you. If you’re looking for a hearty pizza, then I say go with “the more the merrier” motto. If you’re trying to keep it light, scale back a bit! Just keep in mind that while “the more the merrier” may come with more flavor, it also comes with more fat, calories, sodium, etc.
I’ve said it before, but feel it’s worth saying again, at social events like this, I try to keep a healthy outlook and remind myself that life is about moderation, and there are times when you just have to dig in and indulge a bit. If you live without ever giving in (still maintaining balance of course) to your food cravings, you’ll either become 1.) unhappy, or 2.) a binge eater!
My goal is to eat healthy about 85-90%, and feel free to indulge in the not-so-healthy the other 10-15%.
Pizza One: Traditional Pepperoni & Sausage
One bread machine crust
Trader Joe’s spaghetti sauce
Basil, Italian Seasoning and Parsley (1/4-1/2 tsp each, sprinkled over sauce)
Pepperoni
Sausage (turkey pepperoni or sausage is a good option to cut down on the calories and fat, but one drawback to consider is that the turkey version typically contains a higher sodium content)
Basil, Italian Seasoning and Parsley (1/4-1/2 tsp each, sprinkled over sauce)
Fresh Basil chopped finely
Sliced Tomatoes
Sliced Mushrooms
Onions and Peppers
Mozzarella cheese
Pizza Three: BBQ Chicken
One bread machine crust
Trader Joe’s All Natural BBQ sauce
Shredded or Diced Cooked Chicken
Onions and Peppers
Mild Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
Another way to keep the meal in check and keep yourself from indulging in too many slices of pizza is to make a large salad to go with it. Start with the salad, so that by the time you get to the pizza you aren’t as hungry!
Spinach Salad with Fruit and Pecans
Dark leafy greens
Baby Spinach
Blueberries
Strawberries
Glazed pecans
Feta cheese
Raspberry walnut vinaigrette
I can’t take credit for putting this salad together. One of our friends volunteered to bring it, not only was it really tasty {love glazed pecans with a fruit salad!}, it was also full of color and a beautiful addition to the table!
Whatever your plans are, I hope you have a terrific Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy some time with family and friends. Go Broncos!
Homemade pizza, no preservative or MSG! One recipe from Mom, the other from the Cuisinart Breadmaker's recipe guide! NO need to order pizza, make you're own!
PIZZA CRUSTNO BREADMAKER - check to see if your bread machine has its own pizza crust recipe!
1pkg2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1cupwarm water105 - 115 degrees
1tspsalt
2tbspolive oil
2cupswhole wheat flour
1/2cupsground flax-seed
PIZZA CRUSTWITH BREADMAKER
1cupwaterroom temperature
3/4teaspoonhoney
1 1/2tspsalt
1 1/2tbspolive oil
2 2/3cupsbread flour
1/2cupsplus 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 3/4tspyearactive dry, instant, or bread machine
Instructions
FOR PIZZA CRUST (NO BREADMAKER)
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients
Beat vigorously 20 strokes, then knead about 20 times.
Let set about 5 minutes. Bake pizza crust 18 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
I pre-bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, load toppings, then finish baking additional 8-10 minutes or until cooked through and all toppings hot and melted.
PIZZA CRUST (WITH BREADMAKER) - check to see if your bread machine has its own pizza crust recipe and instructions!
Place ingredients, in order listed, in the bread pan fitted with the kneading paddle and secure pan in the bread maker.
Press the menu button to select the Dough program.
Press Start/Stop to mix, knead and rise. For best mixing results, scrape the pan 10 to 15 minutes after the program has started.
When cycle is completed, remove dough and follow your favorite pizza recipe or bake 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees, add toppings and bake additional 8-10 minutes.
By Kaylee Pauley
Health and nutrition have always been important to me, but over the past several years, my knowledge and interest in food and how it affects our body has really expanded. So, with my love for cooking, organic produce, and whole foods, with my food blog Lemons and Basil, I hope to inspire you in your cooking adventures and journey of good health, the way so many other food blogs have inspired me!
LEMONSANDBASIL.COM USES COOKIES
I am always working to improve this website for the users. To do this, I use the anonymous data provided by cookies. ACCEPTREJECTSETTINGS MORE INFO
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I also use third-party cookies that help me analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.