Daijia’s Dish: Bubble Up “Pizza”

The school year has begun and the schedule that we keep in our house has been crazy. Daijia, Mom on the Run’s oldest daughter, will be turning 13 in a few weeks. Becoming a teenager has proven to be a new chapter in this mom’s life. There have been many moments this school year that I have had to step back and take a few deep breaths to keep my self sane. Between the hormones and typical teenage angst, Daijia gives me a run for my money some days.

Cooking has always been a way for Daijia and I to share a common experience. It gives us time to be silly and create a family meal that we both can be proud of. When we cook we always have the music on high so that we can also sing along to whatever song is popular that day. She enjoys cooking as much as I do and is very proud of herself when she is able to whip up a tasty dish .

Tonight she was craving comfort food. We brainstormed some ideas together and created a dish that incorporates three of Daijia’s favorite foods: refrigerated biscuits, pepperoni, and cheese. Using the base of an old Weight Watchers recipe we created a dish that will make any hungry family clean their plates and beg for more.

Bubble Up “Pizza” Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cans of refrigerated biscuits, quartered

1 28 oz can of Pizza Sauce

20 slices of pepperoni cut into small pieces

1/4 cup of bacon bits

1 cup mozzerella cheese

Directions:

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 9 X 12 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut each biscuit into quarters (To easily cut the biscuits into quarters, use a kitchen scissors). Place quarter pieces in medium bowl.

Cut pepperoni and add pieces of pepperoni and beacon to biscuits.

Stir in 1 cup pizza sauce to coat. Spoon biscuit mixture evenly into dish.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown and center biscuits are no longer doughy. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Cut into squares; serve warm with additional pizza sauce for dipping.

This recipe is now one of Daijia’s favorite. She immediately began texting her friends picture of her creation, which is now leading to when she is going to make it for them. The 30 or so minutes she spent creating her culinary masterpiece allowed for me to catch up on her day and spend some uninterrupted moments that I cherish. It is the simple things in life that make the best memories.

Do you have a culinary memory that has made a lasting impression?