What does the word "pizza" mean? Recipe: Kids Vegetarian Pizza

The best pizzas are made in Little Italy, New York.
The perfect place to ask: "What does the word "pizza" means?"

I visited every pizzeria in the town and asked:  Miei amici, what does the word "pizza" mean?
Their answer--(my response)

• Food (really!)
• Pinch (ouch!)
• Pluck (ouch again!)
• To pound or crush (brutal!)
• Mouthful (where do they get these meanings?)
• Tomato-based pie (yummy!)

Well I summed the answers and came up with...The word "pizza" means tomato-based pie food; you can pinch, pluck, pound and crush to get a mouthful.

Try it with this home-made vegetarian pizza recipe. Just make sure you don't hurt anyone. LOL!

This recipe is great for parents and kids. While waiting for the pizza to cook, chat with your kids about school, nutrition and the importance of cooking at home.

Kids Vegetarian Pizza

Ingredients:

• Flat bread
• Vegetarian mozzarella cheese
• Organic vegetable pasta sauce 
• Extra Virgen Olive Oil (EVOO)
• Oregano dry herbs (preferably fresh)
• Pepper
• Salt

Assorted vegetable toppings:

• Diced 1 small onion
• Diced 1/2 tomato
• A few sliced mushrooms
• Diced 1/2 green pepper
• Diced 1/2 red pepper
• Minced 3 garlic cloves/garlic powder (optional)

Procedure: 

1. Pre-heat oven at 425 degrees
2. Spread EVOO on flat bread to give it a nice golden brown crunch
3. Spread Organic vegetable pasta sauce on flat bread
4. Top with vegetarian mozzarella cheese
5. Spread vegetables on the flat bread
6. Sprinkle oregano, salt and pepper to taste
7. Top with vegetarian mozzarella cheese again
8. Put in oven for 15 minutes until brown
9. Let cool and serve

I have learned that the kitchen is a magical place...

"That was delicious!"

There's nothing more satisfying then to have someone utter the words, "that was delicious!" those sweet words, but soon after your applauding guests fade away, you realize you're still staring into an empty pan. We always wonder if our next dish is going to be a disaster. Sometimes cooking a great meal can be as easy as having the right tools, ingredients and of course passion.

Being Puerto Rican; I have learned to appreciate our love affair with food. I can remember my own kitchen as I was growing up, and seeing my Abuelita (grandma) going at it like some mad scientist. The smell of spices and herbs filled the lab as it slowly cooked for the base of her yellow fluffy rice. Her hands filled with spices, and the sound of clinking pots let me know that something magical was happening.

My favorite time was when we would go to the whole foods market. She always weighed the veggies and fruit with her hands, and then smelled, squeezed, and stared at the texture for a long time. I honestly thought she was crazy and that we would never get out of the market, but then I noticed everyone was doing the same thing... then I thought, "that must be what makes the food so good." As I got older, I realized that was the best way to pick them.

Own Coqui the Chef pilón

Now, as an adult my friends and I tell jokes "You know you're Puerto Rican when....." well you know. It's funny because it's true. I might not have a wooden machete on the wall that says Puerto Rico on it, but I do have my pilón (mortar and pestle) and tostonera (wooden press for making fried plantains) . I could just imagine my family's expression if I didn't. When my grandma came over to my place for the first time, she went to the kitchen and asked if I bought the pilón. When I told her no, out came the wooden spoon for her to hit me over the head with. (For the record, my grandma is not abusive she just shows her tough love...the tough way.)

Oh, and don't get me started on the herbs and spices! If the food didn't have the fresh cilantro or spice, well...olvidate! (forget it!). I explained to my grandma that I live in the city, not in the country, and I just can't grow my own herbs and spices as conveniently. "Then buy this brand", she would say to me. So as long as I found the brand she recommended, I knew in my heart my meals would taste fantastic. I've always admired her sense of taste and love for freshness.

If you ever find yourself staring into an empty pan remember you can never go wrong if it's fresh and from the heart. I have learned that the kitchen is a magical place, where you just might surprise yourself given the right tools, ingredients and a dash of love. 

Click here to own a Coqui the Chef pilón!