Salmon and Spinach Pizza

Every once in awhile I like to treat my family to a dinner that is more "gourmet" than usual. Most days I try to keep a meal under $5.00 total. Today was a special day.

My kids and I worked really hard in the yard today. We had a tree fall a few weeks ago (it was half dead and needed to come down anyway). Since then we've been working on chopping it up into pieces that will fit in the wood stove (our main heating source in the winter time). Well, today, everyone went above and beyond. I did not even realize how much wood I had cut up with the chainsaw until my 10 year old yelled from the front of the house, where we stack the wood, "Mom! The wood pile's collapsing!" I ran around front to find the kids had piled the wood so high that the one end just gave away completely and 1/2 the wood pile was now un-piled.

So we had a hard day working in the yard. I decided tonight was a night to treat the family since everyone had worked so hard. To make the dinner even better, I let the kids eat at the card table in the living room and watch "The Princess and the Frog" while they ate.

In any case, the salmon and spinach pizzas were a hit! It also helps when there are so many part the kids can help with. From spreading the pizza dough to layering the toppings and sprinkling with cheese, there's a job for most any age.

Ingredients:

2 pizza crusts (you can get pre-made crusts, I bought the pizza crust mixes and made 2 of them - if you do make the crust, pre-bake them at 450 degrees for 5 minutes)
4 oz softened cream cheese
6 oz plain Greek yogurt
1 box frozen spinach, thawed, with all the water squeezed out
2 oz. smoked salmon (lox), chopped into small pieces)
1 red onion, sliced into rings
2 oz. Feta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray the pizza pans with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Place the prepared crusts on the pizza pans. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and yogurt and mix together until well blended. Spread 1/2 of the mixture on each pizza crust.

Spread the spinach over the cream cheese mixture, try to spread evenly over both pizzas. Do the same with the chopped, smoked salmon.Layer the rings of red onion on top of the salmon and spinach. Next, sprinkle the Feta cheese evenly over both pizzas.Finally, sprinkle the top of each pizza with 1/2 the mozzarella cheese.

 (The pizzas, prior to baking)

Place the pizzas on the middle rack of the oven and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes (check to make sure the bottom is done and crispy).

Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese.

(After baking)

All the kids enjoyed the pizza too. The onions may have been picked off by some but I didn't have any complaints. But then, my kids are used to different foods being fixed and placed on the table. In any case, this is definitely going to be a repeat for another special day! So I'm glad I typed out exactly what I used to make this before I forget.