| Years ago, when I was in Milan with my husband, I had | | | | topping for a rich, cheesecake-like flavor. |
| an authentic pizza. It was nothing like American version. | | | | 4. Bring out the flavor of fresh fruit by adding pure |
| When the server brought my order I was shocked to | | | | vanilla or almond extract to the cream cheese. |
| see it covered the entire dinner plate. The thin, crispy | | | | 5. To prevent fresh fruit from turning brown, glaze the |
| crust had been lightly brushed with tomato sauce and | | | | pizza with one cup of fruit jam (marmalade, |
| the melted cheese smelled a bit like wood smoke. | | | | strawberry, raspberry, or apricot) that has been |
| Italian seasonings dotted the top. | | | | thinned with a tablespoon or more of water. |
| It was the best pizza I ever ate and I ate it all. | | | | 6. Lower the calories by using so-called "free" whipped |
| Americans have changed the meaning of pizza. We | | | | topping and fat-free cream cheese. |
| now have deep dish pizza, filled crust pizza, barbecue | | | | 7. Make mini pizzas with cookies to lower the calories. |
| pizza (a cross between two cuisines), breakfast pizza, | | | | Serve two to each person. |
| vegetarian pizza, and the latest food trend, dessert | | | | 8. For added texture, garnish the pizza with toasted |
| pizza. Like its namesake, dessert pizza varies from | | | | coconut, almonds or walnuts. |
| region to region. But one aspect -- a firm, sweet crust | | | | 9. Make the pizza an hour or two before serving. If |
| to support the fruit -- is universal. | | | | you make it too far in advance the crust will become |
| Hundreds of dessert pizza recipes, crust, cream | | | | soggy. |
| cheese layer, and topping, are posted on the Internet. | | | | 10. Ask kids to help you. Kids love to frost cookies and |
| This is a flashy dessert. But even experienced cooks | | | | they will enjoy frosting a large or mini pizzas. |
| can make a mistake or two and your dessert could | | | | Think about contrasting colors, raspberries and |
| turn into a disaster. Follow these tips for pizza success. | | | | blueberries, for example, when you are making the |
| 1. To save time, use a brownie mix, cake mix, cookie | | | | pizza. Also think about unusual combinations, such as |
| mix, or refrigerated sugar cookie or chocolate chip | | | | fresh pears drizzled with chocolate sauce. Color |
| cookie dough for the base. | | | | attracts the eyes and the appetite. Family members |
| 2. This dessert is usually made with fresh fruit, but you | | | | and friends will be eager to "dig in" to your fabulous |
| may use canned. Make sure you drain the fruit well | | | | dessert. |
| and dry it with paper towels. | | | | Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson. |
| 3. Combine cream cheese and whipped cream or | | | | |