Pesto Peeps-a-pie

When the moon hits your eye like a big Peeps®-a-pie, that’s amore. That said, you will LOVE this tasty pizza adorned with Peeps and whatever else you want to throw on it. You will definitely want amore and amore a Peeps-a-pie. Peeps-a is basically a round, Italian, hot salad on bread with a few Peeps thrown on at the last minute. There are no rules so I used Anarchist Peeps. I’ve included helpful recipes below for those of you who don’t feel safe without boundaries and direction (I recommend you use Republican Peeps), but really, once you have the basic ingredients, you can wing it. (snicker — get it? “wing. it.” — Peeps are chicks… birds…they have wings… okay, fine. Don’t laugh.)

The best technique to follow for Peeps-a-pie is to make your pizza like you were a normal human being — I tossed artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, tomato sauce and tons of pesto on mine. Then throw it in the oven at 450 degrees for 20 minutes (which was useful when it came to browning the crust which is much more

Image 2 — blinded by the heat. I went all Ibsen on them and cried, “the sun! the sun!” when I took them out of the oven, but they didn’t find it amusing. Peeps — go figure. Sure, they can go on and on about nihilism vs anarchy, but really, no sense of humor.

appetizing than pale crust — like blondes, it looks better with a tan. During the last 5 minutes place the Peeps in a decorative pattern. Bake them until their eyes melt (see image 2) and then take ’em out (not the eyes — the Peeps-a-pie). They’ll be soft on the inside and still firm on the outside (The Peeps that is). It’s kinda cool watching them bake. The sugar on their yellowness starts to melt and it looks like they’re sweating. I mean, who wouldn’t in 450 degree heat — but who knew Peeps could sweat? I didn’t think they could – but then if they can have political leanings, why not glands?

Pizza Dough:

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it stand about about 10 minutes. This is an excellent time to chat with your Peeps about the political morass America faces today.
2. Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat out all the lumps. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll or toss it into a circle-ish shape. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet dusted with flour. Spread with desired toppings and bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts — although I prefer walnuts. If you use these, chop them up before putting them in the mix.
• 3 medium or 5 large (depending on how much you like garlic) sized garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• You’ll need a food processor. If you don’t have one, or if you’re just really lazy, go to the store and buy some pesto. Really, there’s no shame in being a slacker. We all have busy lives. 

Directions

1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in the food processor. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Sweaty Peeps