Italian Song Ideas

There's nothing like a couple of 'staches and some Italian music to get you in the mood for...ahem... pizza!

Quando quando quando by Tony Renis
'O sole mio by Ferrucio Tagliavini
Mambo Italiano by Dean Martin
'A tazza 'e caffe by Nicola Arigliano
Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare) by Domenico Modugno or Dean Martin
Piccolissima serenata by Teddy Reno
Arrivederci Roma by Claudio Villa
That's amore by Dean Martin
Funiculi funicula by Il Nuovo Canzoniere Italiano G
Tarantella by Mulberry Street

Mario & Luigi Invite Ideas

Ok, so it may not be the norm to ask somebody out on a date using an invite, but you bought a date box because you wanted something different, right? Everybody likes to feel that they're being spoiled with romantic thoughts and gestures, and an invitation to differentiate this date from just another hang-out session is just the way to start! Here are some fun ideas of ways you can ask your date that will surprise and intrigue them. (So what are we going to do on our date, honey?) Bonus points if you mail them. Your date will be surprised when they find a spoon with an invitation on it, but if it comes in the mail you'll never hear the end of it! (In a good way!)

Here are some great ideas to get you inspired! Don't forget to include the date, time, location, and any other pertinent details (like if pajamas are recommended!)

• Package of Italian seasoning with invite written on the outside.
• Empty pizza box with the invite either written directly on the box or taped inside

• Italian cookbook/pizza cookbook with invite written inside marking a recipe. Or you can write it on the inside cover or throughout the pages. Even if you don't intend to use it, you can buy a recipe book inexpensively at a thrift store or even in the bargain section of a regular bookstore.
• French Bread with an invite written in ketchup on it. Or you could hide an invitation inside a dry french bread loaf or a baguette.
• A compact mirror with a mustache drawn on with sharpie (so that when your date looks in the mirror they can 'try it on')

Apple Cinnamon Dessert Pizza

Looking for a delicious pizza dessert to top off your pizza extravaganza? Here it is. It is absolutely amazingly delicious and I guarantee you will not regret a single bite!

Ingredients:

1 pizza dough
3 whole apples (tart is best)
white sugar
cinnamon

Topping:

1/2 c flour
1/2 c white sugar
1/4 c butter (1/2 stick)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Roll out pizza dough. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Do not allow dough to rise much.

In bowl: peel and slice apples (as if for pie). Toss with sugar and cinnamon to taste. Arrange individual slices of apple on entire pizza.

Blend topping thoroughly with a pastry mixer. Crumble topping over apples.

Crusty Pepperoni Pizza

Remember grade school lunch when the lunch lady used to make pizza on French bread? Well this is like that, only way more delicious. Sorry Gladys!

Ingredients:

1 loaf Italian bread
1/2 c pizza sauce
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
24 slices pepperoni

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice Italian bread lengthwise. Spread each piece of bread with pizza sauce, dividing equally. Then top with 1/4 cup cheese and pepperoni slices.

Bake for about 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Mango BBQ Pizza

This pizza is deliciously easy to make. If you like pineapple on pizza, then you're going to love mango! If you're extra daring, you can even throw this on the barbecue. De-li-cious!

Ingredients:

1 pizza dough
1/2 c bottled barbecue sauce
1 c shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into strips
1/2 mango, thinly sliced



Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spread dough with barbecue sauce and layer mango slices on top. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and top with Canadian bacon. (The store I went to was out of Canadian bacon, so I used pancetta instead.)

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

You can also slice mango into smaller pieces and use as a topping as opposed to layering slices inside pizza.

Thai Chicken Pizza

Looking for something a little different for pizza night? This is it- it's unusual, easy to make, and super yummy! Think spring roll on a pizza. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

Ingredients:

1 pizza dough
1 c cooked chicken, sliced
3/4 c peanut satay sauce (I get Trader Joe's)
1/2 c carrots, shredded
2 T unsalted peanuts, chopped
4 green onions, cut lengthwise into 1 inch strips
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Combine the chicken and 1/2 the satay sauce and place in the fridge
Roll out pizza dough. Spread remaining satay sauce on top of the dough. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce and layer the marinated chicken on top of that. Complete by sprinkling with the shredded carrots, green onions, and peanuts. Place into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melty and starts to brown.
Try not to eat the pizza until it has cooled enough that you won't singe the roof of your mouth off. That's the worst.