In this section, we will cover everything you can do at home to have a little fun with the family. So, this includes different things from cooking, to the latest videos and/or games to check out.
This round, we are going to try something a little challenging in the kitchen, but it will be a masterpiece if you pull it off. This week, we are going to work on making some homemade pizza, the best food on the planet!
The Dough
Main Ingredients:
3/4 cup of warm water
2 teaspoons of sugar
2 teaspoons of yeast
2 cups of flour
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
3/4 teaspoon of salt
To start the pizza, we are going to need to make the dough, which is relatively simple. Start off by adding warm water, sugar, and yeast together into a bowl and stir. Then, you want to let it rest for 10 minutes to see if the yeast is alive. This is very important because if the yeast is not alive, the pizza dough will not rise. If the yeast is alive, the mixture should look frothy, which is perfect.
Add the flour, olive oil, and salt into the yeast mixture and stir until it becomes a shaggy dough. Once that happens, flour your work surface and place the dough on your work surface and start kneading the dough. To knead, simply push and fold the dough onto itself repeatedly. See the video attached for a visual reference on the technique of kneading. The more you knead the chewier the crust will be. Once the dough has been kneaded, form it into a ball, and place it back into an oiled bowl and cover the bowl so no air can reach the dough. Let it rise for 1 hour.
The Pizza
Main Ingredients:
Your homemade pizza dough
2 tablespoons of tomato sauce
Cheese (mozzarella preferably)
To make the pizza, take your dough onto a floured surface and start to roll it into a circle. It does not have to be a perfect circle. Once formed, place your dough into a pan and press down onto the dough using your fingers light but firmly. This will create pockets for the sauce to rest in while baking. Add your sauce and spread it across the pizza using a spoon. Once the sauce has been added, layer with cheese. Shredded cheese works or if you are fancy like us, you can use balled mozzarella and tear pieces off onto the pizza. Once covered, bake at 425 degree Fahrenheit for 18 minutes, turning the pan around half way for even cooking. Once baked, let the pizza cool for a little bit and add salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
Here is a video of me and my wife making this gorgeous pizza for a visual reference, if it helps!
This week, I am going to give a list of fun video games that you can play with friends and family. Before I go into the list, I recognize not all of you have every console or the resources to go out and buy them. This list is just a recommendation for you to look into with your friends and family if you would would be able to.
Do you like platformers? Ultimate Chicken Horse is an amazingly fun video game that you can play with all ages, in which you compete to be the best platformer out there. The real catch about this game is that you and your friends create the level and challenges as the game continues, so it provides loads of challenges and replayability.
Rated E plus 10
Platforms: X-box One, PS4, Steam, Nintendo Switch
Price Range: $15
Now, if you are looking for a more relaxing, puzzle-solving game that you can play with a friend, Human: Fall Flat is a great choice! Play alone or with a friend trying to solve problems with real world physics!
Rated E for Everyone
Platforms: X-Box One, PS4, Steam, Nintendo Switch
Price Range: $6-$15
Those who like a challenge and who also think their teamwork is impeccable should try out Overcooked 2. Working in some of the most unsanitary and crazy kitchen designs, fulfill the orders and serve customers without burning down the kitchen!
Rated E for Everyone
Platforms: X-Box One, PS4, Steam, Nintendo Switch
Price Range: $10-$12
This isn't really a family game than it is a multiplayer RPG you can play online with your friends. Taking inspiration from Monster Hunter World, Dauntless is a FREE to play game where you can build your character and go onto epic hunts with just yourself or with your friends.
Rated T for Teen (Blood and Violence)
Platforms: X-Box One, PS$, Nintendo Switch, Android and Microsoft Windows
Price Range: Free
As many of you know, this is the last week of After School Programming and I want to thank you for everyone that took interest and enjoyed the content on the Bringing the Family Together page. I know this year is not ending in a way a lot of people expected, but I hope you guys were able to take something away from the program whether it was in person or online.
I had a blast spending time with all of you, from playing card and board games, to watching movies, doing push ups with the Judo team or playing dodge ball with all of you. I have seen tremendous growth and potential in all of you, so please keep pushing forward.
One last thing before I sign off! As I know many of you are stuck in your houses (like me), I don't want you guys to forgot about the world out there and how crazy/beautiful it is, so check out this 30 day time lapse at sea. I am full of awe at how crazy, huge, and beautiful our blue planet is. I hope it inspires you guys that when we do finally get to go outside, enjoy the world, and see our friends again, we can all take some time to reflect on what we have and what we can be grateful for.
It has been my pleasure to be your after school friend.
Sincerely,
Mr. Rondeau