Pikachu Pizza #NationalPizzaMonth

It’s National Pizza Day!  Now that’s a day I can get behind!

Every Friday, my family enjoys pizza/movie night.  Each week a different family member gets to choose the movie and the pizza!  Some weeks we order in, but others we make homemade pizza!

My 8-year old, Spud is a huge Pokémon fan (he calls his bedroom the Pokémon Academy and has Pikachu plastered everywhere).  So, on his movie night, he borrowed a Pokémon movie from the library and came up with the concept of Pikachu Pizza, Pizza-chu, if you will.

He drew up a whole plan of how he wanted his pizza to look – he was very particular about which parts needed to be pepperoni, sausage, or even mini pizzas!

Then, while the pizza was baking, he even made a couple Pizza-chu Pokémon cards to go along with the meal!  Adorable!

Pikachu Pizza (Pizza-chu)

Dough

2 cups flour, divided

2 ¼ tsp instant/quick rise/pizza yeast (1 envelope)

1 tsp sugar

¾ tsp salt

2/3 cup warm water (120 degrees F)

3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Sauce

8 oz tomato sauce

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried marjoram

½ tsp garlic powder

Toppings

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Mini pepperoni

Precooked turkey sausage crumbles

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and place a baking stone (if using) in the oven to heat up.

Mix together all of the sauce ingredients, set aside.

Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the water and oil and mix on low until combined.

Slowly add in the basil (if using) and remaining flour until the dough forms a ball.  Switch to the dough hook, continuing to mix on low, for 4 minutes.  Keep adding flour, bit by bit until the dough is no longer sticky (slightly tacky is ok).

Alternately, mix the ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon.  Then turn out onto a countertop and slowly knead the remaining flour into the dough, kneading for an additional 6 minutes.

Sprinkle a pizza pan with cornmeal (alternately prepare a pizza peel to transfer pizza to hot baking stone). 

Remove a small amount of dough from the large ball.  Form two bits into mini pizzas for Pikachu’s cheeks.  Make a larger mini pizza that will be sliced (after baking) for Pikachu’s ears.

Roll the remaining dough thin and add the sauce and mozzarella (doing the same for the mini pizzas).  Arrange pepperoni and sausage to create Pikachu’s face.

Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is browned and the cheese is melty.

Here's what everyone else is cooking up today!

• White Pizza with Prosciutto and Arugula by The Redhead Baker
• Arugula Pesto Pizza with Roasted Pears and Provolone by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Prosciutto and Fennel Pizza with Olives and Mascarpone by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Detroit Style Pepperoni and Hot Honey Pizza by Our Good Life
• Pikachu Pizza by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Antipasto Pizza by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Easy Gluten Free Pizza Crust by The Saucy Fig
• Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza by The Baking Fairy
• Caramelized Onion, Bacon, and Spinach Pizza by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Stuffed Crust Sausage Pizza by The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Green Lantern Pizza by Palatable Pastime
• Deep Dish Pizza Casserole by A Day in the Life on the Farm