MoJosFreeSpirit: What's For Dinner Tonight?

The biggest question at my house is what are we gonna eat? My husband and I are both great cooks, so you would think this wouldn't be an issue. The problem is, is that we are burnt out with food. Furthermore, we have two picky eaters, who don't like anything with a veggie in it. Even if I try to hide them, they know they are there. So I have decided to share on occasion, some great simple recipes, that hopefully will please even the pickiest eaters. (I say hopefully, because my youngest son, didn't even like jelly until he was 7)

Stromboli

I know this sounds intimidating, but it is really quite simple. All you really need to do is make the dough, the rest is easy, you just fill it up with your favorite toppings. I used pepperoni, deli ham, mozzarella and cheddar. You can add mushrooms, onions, green peppers, cooked ground beef, spinach, olives, etc, the list could go on and on. (please cook any raw toppings, such as chicken and beef before adding) Pick your favorite pizza toppings or even hot sandwich toppings. You can even fill it up with a saucy ground beef mixture, brown your beef and add a can of tomato sauce and a small can of tomato paste plus your favorite seasonings and top it off with cheese. Or you can just use canned spaghetti sauce. The possibilities go on and on.
Now to get to the recipe for the dough.

Pizza Crust or Stromboli Dough (makes at least 2 stromboli loaves, or 2-3 pizzas)

2 C Warm Water (110 degrees)
2 Tbsp white sugar
1 Tbsp + 1-1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 C + 2 Tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp salt
5 Cups Flour

Stir water, sugar and yeast together until dissolved. Add the olive oil and the salt.
Stir in the flour until well blended. If your dough seems sticky add a little more flour until your get a ball that pulls away from the bowl. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet with non stick spray. Flour a large cutting board or clean counter top. Divide dough in half (If you want your stromboli thinner (less bread) divide into 3). Roll out one half into a large rectangle. Remember to keep enough flour on your rolling pin and your board to keep your dough from sticking. Place your large triangle of dough onto your cookie sheet. Patch any holes or tears and spread it out into a nice rectangle shape. Now it is time to fill it with your toppings. Start with the cheese if you will be using any (You may want to add a pizza sauce first if you like it saucy, put a strip down the middle), fill the center, leaving about 2" of the dough on each side. Next add your layers of topping. (If you want to make a pizza, start with pizza sauce on the bottom, add cheese and toppings, and your ready to bake)

Now fold over one side, then the other slightly overlapping the first side.Your toppings should fall to the center making it nice and full.

Now starting from one, pinch your seems together across the center and on the ends.

Gently flip your Stromboli over, so that the seem lays on the bottom of the pan. Brush the top of your stromboli with an egg wash, (one egg beaten with a TBSP of water) and sprinkle with seasonings such as garlic salt and parsley flakes, you could also add some Parmesan cheese to the top. Slit holes in the top with your knife.