Family Pizza Night #HBSocialKitchen

One of my goals for 2014 is to save more money.  Another goal is to eat healthier.  It turns out, both of these goals can combine when you stop ordering take-out (who knew?)

While I love our weekly take-out pizza night, much of it can go to waste (even though the bigger pizza is the better deal, no one wants to eat cold pizza for three days) and sometimes it’s very clear that the ingredients used are not exactly the highest quality.

As a Hamilton Beach Ambassador this year, I’ll get the opportunity to test a variety of products.  I already have a lovely selection of Hamilton Beach appliances in my house – so much so that I keep talking to my husband about building a kitchen appliance closet downstairs (can you picture it?) so I can’t wait to see what else Hamilton Beach has in store.

In fact, after reading my contributor Lise’s review of the Hamilton Beach Breadmaker last year, I knew I needed one for myself (and so, Hamilton Beach graciously sent me one as an ambassador!)  I have been using my Breadmaker for a few weeks now and love it something fierce!

So, when I received a Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker ($69.99) recently, I knew right away that I was going to do it – make a pizza from scratch!  The Hamilton Beach Breadmaker is unbelievably simple to use and the instruction booklet inside details exactly how to create everything from warm loaves of bread to even jam!  The recipe for pizza dough includes just a few ingredients and once everything is in, you walk away until the dough is ready for your pizza. Easy peasy…ur…pizza.

I don’t really have a recipe for pizza, per say, since we add whatever we have on hand and the kids love.  Note that the recipe above made a good sized portion of pizza dough so we had enough for the 12 inch pan inside the Pizza Maker and a smaller pizza crust as well.

The Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker has a temperature knob (with instructions in an enclosed booklet explaining what food needs which corresponding temperature) and a timer so that when combined, you’ve got the ideal setting for a perfect meal.  Why different temperatures and times?  Well, because the Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker is more than just a pizza maker.  It’s true!

All of the above items, and more, can be cooked in the Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker, making it more than just a one trick pony. Not being fancy out of the gate, we opted for pizza.

My 9 year old and a friend came into the kitchen when the pizza was cooking.  “Coooooooool!” and “That’s wicked!” were the commentary as they watched the pizza rotate inside the Pizza Maker.

After about 15 minutes, the result was a delicious hot pizza with a perfectly cooked crust.  Add a tossed salad and dressing and you’ve got yourself an easy weekday meal for Family Pizza Night for far less than take-out and with ingredients chosen by you.

Next up, cinnamon rolls – from a container, not scratch.  I’ll save the from-scratch attempt when I’ve mastered buns in my Hamilton Beach Breadmaker first (my first attempt looked like snowballs.  Or rocks.)

Look for the Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker online and at stores like TRUSERVE across Canada (hopefully more retailers will be listed soon!)

This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach Canada. In exchange this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.