The 9th of February marks National Pizza day, a fairly new non-official holiday in the UK that celebrates the wonders of the famous Italian delicacy: Pizza. Many people opt to go out to their favourite Italian restaurants to celebrate but, with it being so close to the festive season, many of us are still working to a tight budget. So, why not make some homemade pizzas for family and friends to enjoy?
National Pizza day isn’t just about munching on a delicious slice, it’s also about family time, fun activities and relaxing at home with loved ones. Below you’ll find some neat ideas for fun National Pizza day activities, as well as a simple dough recipe so you can make your own tasty pizzas at home. Read on to find out more.
Setting up your pizza party
Most of the fun you can have on National Pizza day takes place in the kitchen, but once the pizzas are ready, you’ll want plenty of space to relax and unwind as you eat your food. If you plan on eating the pizzas in the living room, it might be worth grabbing a comfy throw to put on top of the sofa, so if there are any accidents or dropped toppings you won’t damage the fabric or the leather.
Ensure there are plenty of seats for everyone to get cosy. If you have lots of guests, a corner sofa would be perfect for the job. The Parma is a great sofa for family get togethers and social events. It’s got plenty of space for everyone to relax, and is a stylish addition to any living space. If your sofa still doesn’t provide enough seats, it might be time to get the emergency chairs out so all of your guests have a place to enjoy their food. You can always eat the pizza in the kitchen or dining room, before moving into the living room for a fun-filled evening.
Pizza decorations are a great idea for National Pizza day, and they’re simple to make. Purchase some paper bunting from your local craft shop, or make some yourself with a pack of A4 paper and string. Cut the paper into triangles and have the kids decorate them with drawings of their favourite toppings, and then hang them up around the kitchen and the living room.
Rustle up some tasty pizzas
Pizzas are really simple to make, but they do require some preparation and cooking time before they can be enjoyed. Your local supermarket will sell pizza bases that you can add toppings to, but if you truly want to enjoy some authentic pizzas, it’s always worth having a go at making the dough yourself.
- Combine 650g of “00” flour, or strong white flour, with 7g of easy blend yeast and 2 teaspoons of salt, then stir in 25ml of olive oil and 50ml of warm milk. Gradually add 325ml of warm water, stirring as you pour to create a soft dough.
- Place a pinch of flour on your work surface and turn the dough out of your mixing bowl. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes before transferring it into a clean bowl. Cover the top of the bowl with a damp tea towel and leave it to rise for an hour and 30 minutes.
- ‘Knock back’ the dough in the bowl before removing it and kneading again. Form the dough into a ball and set it aside for another 30 minutes to an hour, allowing it to rise again.
- Once it has risen, divide the ball into 6 smaller, equal sized balls and roll each one out on your work surface until it is around 20 centimetres in diameter.
- Finish the pizza with a little passata or a tomato pizza sauce (you can make this yourself if you like) and add your favourite vegetable, meat and cheese toppings.
You’ll want to pop the oven on to preheat at gas mark 8 as you add the tomato and toppings to your pizzas. Put them in the oven for 8-10 minutes until the dough goes brown and crispy. If you’re feeling adventurous when you’re making the pizza, why not try the traditional hand spun method of stretching the dough – be careful though, it might get messy!
Sit back, relax and enjoy
Whilst you’re chomping on your pizza, or after it’s been devoured in the dining room, you want to relax in cosy comfort to let your food digest. Pizza party games are a great way to continue the fun of the evening, and they don’t require much preparation or effort. Perhaps host a pizza trivia quiz from the comfort of the Glastonbury sofa, available in a range of stylish shades to suit your home decor. Choose between seats filled with fibre for a more luxurious sit for your guests, or opt for foam and fibre wrap interiors for an extra supportive feel.
If you have little ones, why not set them an apron design competition, and watch their artistic skills flourish in front of your eyes? You’ll be able to purchase plain fabric aprons relatively cheaply, and they’ll be a nice memento that the family can use for years to come. If you’re looking to relax whilst eating the pizza, why not pop a film on and get some popcorn at the ready for when the savoury food has been eaten? The night is yours to spend having fun, but keeping it pizza themed would be ideal for smaller children lost in the excitement.
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