Activities for the kids so you can get stuff done #2: Pizza Dough

I was making soft pretzels the other day when I needed several minutes to do the steps without being bothered. I'd remembered eating at Il Vicino with the Anyanonu's months ago and thought it was interesting that they gave kids some pizza dough to play with while we waited for our meal. So while Canaan was in his high chair, I pinched out some dough for him and kneaded it with flour so it wasn't sticky. I let him play with it until he got tired of it...about 20 minutes. Boys and girls, I thought that was spectacular for a 19 month old active little boy!

So the next time you're cooking and needing a few minutes without your kids running wild. Have them "cook" with you by giving them some dough for them to "make their own" whatever.

TIP: Make a batch or 1/2 batch every week. Keep in fridge for times of need.
TIP 2: Give them tools to play with the dough. Spoons, wooden dowls as rolling pins, forks, straws, etc.

Any bread dough will work. Here's an easy one:

Pizza/soft pretzel dough

2 cups warm water
1 T sugar
1 pkg yeast (or 2 1/4 t)
5 to 6 cups flour

Pour water into the bowl. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until yeast begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Beat in 1 cup flour into yeast on low speed until combined. Beat in coarse salt; add 3 1/2 cups flour, and combine. Continue beating/stirring until dough pulls away from bowl, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour. Beat 1 minute more. If dough is sticky, add up to 1 cup more flour. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 minute. Pinch off balls for the kids. Keep in fridge wrapped in plastic wrap. If plastic wrap sticks, spray with Pam before wrapping dough.