Pizza . . . on a Stick

Putting food on a stick has become a fad around the country, and it's a good way to get kids to eat something they might not normally eat. Pizza might as well join the list of newly-impaled foods. (As if kids needed any extra encouragement to eat pizza.)

I saw this idea in this month's Food Network Magazine feature on state fairs. Along with pizza, there was "salad on a stick", "deep fried snickers on a stick" (wow), and check this out -- a strawberry, dipped in chocolate, dipped in waffle batter, deep fried, then dusted with powdered sugar. I know, why am I not doing a post about THAT one? Not having a deep fryer is reason numero uno. It saves me a lot of calories, too. So, if you're planning on attending the Illinois State Fair beginning this weekend in Springfield, seek out this brilliant way to eat pizza while riding a ferris wheel.










After I made a batch I tested their adherence to the popsicle stick. I'm not a happy camper when I'm eating a [insert food] on a stick only to have it fall off halfway through. As you can see, they passed the test.










Halfway through I had to stop and get a shot of this:

Crispy, brown cheese, baked or fried, is on my top ten favorite things ever list.

Isn't it lovely?

These are really easy to make -- especially if you have pizza dough already made, sitting on the counter, coming back to life after being frozen. I'm a fan of freezing dough. They're like mini calzones. I made a few with pepperoni and some with just cheese and sauce. Both were excellent. These could easily be adapted to be a "hot pocket on a stick" with whatever filling you want. They keep well in the fridge and reheat nicely.

It's OK if you don't get them completely sealed. A little cheese leaking out and crisping up is fine by me, but I already told you that, didn't I?

I've got lots of pizza crust recipes on my site, including a basic white dough, whole wheat, and (if you're feeling adventurous) an overnight dough with a sponge starter.

Have any of you put something unusual on a stick to eat? I'd love to hear about it!

Have a great weekend :)

Pizza on a Stick
from Food Network Magazine Aug/Sept 2009

1 13-16 ounce wad of pizza dough
flour, for dusting
1 c marinara sauce
1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 c pizza toppings (pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
olive oil, for brushing
2 cloves garlic, minced
pinch of oregano
pinch of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare baking sheets with nonstick spray (or parchment). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12x16 inch rectangle. Cut into 6x8 inch quarters, then cut each quarter diagonally to form 8 triangles.

Brush each triangle with marinara sauce, leaving a 1/2-inch of space on the sides and sprinkle with cheeses (reserving some of both for the topping). Layer a few pieces of whatever topping you plan on using over the cheese. Slightly fold in the two far corners, then roll up the dough from the long side (D'oh. I rolled the wrong direction. That's why mine were squattier than the photo. Oh well. Either way works fine.) until filling is fully enclosed, pressing to seal closed.

Carefully insert a popsicle stick or wooden skewer into the end of each one and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. Brush each roll with olive oil, marinara sauce, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle with more mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Makes 8.

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Originally Posted Here