There are many ways to welcome new neighbors. When we were moving in to our present home, it was nice when people around us welcomed us with pies and cookies. I have an alternative suggestion that is different, and also very nice.

MAKE A HOMEMADE PIZZA

It isn't hard to make pizza and you are presenting them with a meal which is great for someone who is busy and trying to settle in. I don't bake the pizza first, I just put it together and give it to them and they can bake it when they want to or freeze it for later. First I head to the dollar store and get a flat baking sheet or sometimes they have a round pizza tray. I also get a small basket and a covered bowlwhich I will explain later. I also need some groceries, flour, yeast, oil, pizza sauce, canned mushrooms, canned black olives, pepperoni and italian sausage. A nice head of lettuce, a tomato and a bottle of italian dressing.

DOUGH

2 cups all purpose flour

1 package quick rise yeast dissolved in 3/4 cup lukewarm water

2 TBSP. olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

Put the flour in a bowl and make a hole in the middle, add the water with the yeast dissolved in it, olive oil and salt. Mix carefully until it all comes together in a nice ball. It is gooey at first but it comes together nicely, if it still seems a little too sticky , add a small amount of oil and mix again, if too dry add a little more water. You must knead the dough for a good 3 minutes to get it nice and elastic and smooth.

Place the dough in a well oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for a couple of hours until it is doubled.

On a well floured surface roll out the dough with a rolling pin or you can just shape it by working it out with your hands. I like it nice and thin.

I now put the rolled out dough on the tray from the dollar store or pizza pan or sometimes I find a low cost pan at the grocery store. Any will do as long as they are somewhat sturdy. After getting the dough fitted on the pan, I add the sauce. I usually buy Contadina. You can make your own pizza sauce, but for me the canned sauces are just as good for pizza. After the sauce, sprinkle about 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and then the mozzarella, I like it cheesy so I use 4 cups of cheese. Now I take and completely cover it with plastic wrap, securely. This way if they want they can freeze it for later. When its time to cook, bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until browned and bubbly.

I never know what people like on pizza, we are all different so I buy the toppings and put them in the dollar store basket on the side. I get a can of mushrooms, a can of sliced black olives and a package of pepperoni. I also cook up some italian sausage and put that in a baggie. You can include whatever toppings you can think of, but if they are on the side, everyone can add what they want and hopefully everyone is happy.

Next I take a head of lettuce and chop it up and put it in the covered bowl. With that I give them a few fresh tomatoes and a bottle of italian dressing on the side again.

 I realize this takes a little more effort, but once you have the shopping done and then the dough made, the rest is very easy. I have had many positive responses with this. Most people now or at least around us, buy the home with the appliances so usually the stove is all set. I always check and then I would offer to bake the pizza if they wanted me too. So far I haven't had that happen. I write the baking directions and tape it to the pizza. Again bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until browned and bubbly. It is a nice alternative and a nice way to say welcome! I have also done this in other circumstances, such as a new baby or if someone has a loved one in the hospital, I send it over for the family members. I hope it works for you.