Neighbor is the #5MFW for Day 18 of #write31days.
When I hear the word neighbor I immediately think about people who live near each other.[bctt tweet=”Jesus had a broader definition when a certain lawyer asked him a question of who his neighbor was.” username=”GaylWright”]He answered by telling him a story. You can read the full account in Luke 10.
A man had been attacked, robbed, severely injured and left for dead. A priest and a Levite spotted him but did nothing. A third man, a Samaritan, stopped and went out of his way to care for the man. Not only did he treat his wounds but took him to a place where he could be cared for. He even promised to pay whatever was owed when he came back through town. [bctt tweet=”After telling this story Jesus posed a question to the lawyer:” username=”GaylWright”]“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36,37 NIV)
When I read this I see that my neighbor is not just the person that lives next to me.[bctt tweet=”A true neighbor is one that will show mercy and compassion to whoever comes across her path.” username=”GaylWright”]It doesn’t negate my responsibility to people who live near me. It just widens the definition to include anyone I may meet along my journey of life.
Now I’m going to be a good neighbor and share a recipe. Hope you enjoy!”
Homemade Pizza
*You can use any kind of flat pan, just whatever you have. I have two pizza stones and an iron pizza pan so I’ll share with you how I make it. My oven has convection so I can cook all three pizzas at once on different shelves. The first thing I do is set it for multiple shelf convection at 450ºF. Then I put the pan and stones in to heat up.
**Crust
(Makes 3 large pizzas with thick crust or 4 with a thin crust)
2 Tbsp. dry yeast
5 cups flour (I use half white whole wheat and half all purpose flour.)
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cups very warm water
First mix dry ingredients, then add oil and water. I stir it a bit, then use my Kitchen Aid mixer with a dough hook on Speed 2. It usually takes awhile for the dough to become pliable. Then transfer to greased bowl and let it rise about 30 minutes.
Sauce
12 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp. salt
¾ tsp. garlic
1 ½ tsp. basil
1 ½ tsp. oregano
Mix together and set aside.
Toppings
Because everyone has their favorites, you can just pick whatever you want. Here’s our usual, but sometimes we change it up with different toppings.
Mozzarella cheese, shredded ( 1 ½ lbs – ½ lb per pizza)
pepperoni
sausage
onion
pineapple
black olives
Preparation
I use two pizza peels and a cutting board. First spread a mixture of flour and corn meal on each surface. Then divide dough into 3 parts. Next, flatten dough and roll it to about a 12 inch diameter circle.
Lastly, fold and press down the edges as shown in the picture below.
Then spread with sauce. Add cheese and other toppings.
Next, slide pizza from peels onto hot stones in oven. (To make this easier, it’s important to have plenty of corn meal under the pizza.)
Turn oven temperature down to 425ºF and bake pizzas for 15 minutes.
When done, use potholders to take from oven and slide off pans onto cooling racks. Let cool about 5 minutes before cutting into slices. I use scissors to cut the pizzas. Works much better than pizza cutters.
Everyone was hungry, and I completely forgot about taking a picture of the finished product. Maybe I’ll remember the next time I make pizza.
Notes:
*If you use pans rather than stones you do not have to preheat them, but preheat the oven to 425º F. Also, if you don’t have convection you may have to cook them one or two at a time. Grease the pans and put the rolled out dough on them. Then bake for about 10 minutes. Take them out of the oven and put on the sauce, cheese and preferred toppings. Bake for about 10-15 more.
**Crust recipe is from a neighbor when I lived in South Dakota many years ago. She got it from a friend who worked at a pizza place. It was her idea to use scissors to cut the pizza. My son is the one who perfected sliding the pizza from the peel to the pan.
I’m linking up with: #RaRaLinkup, #LMMLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #TellHisStory, #TeaAndWord, #FaithFilledFriday
***All my #write31days posts can be found by clicking on the left button below or on the Write 31 Days 2016 tab at the top of my blog.***
I stopped by from the #RaRaLinkkup Our church has just finished a series going through this parable and discussing for over a month Who Is My Neighbour? It’s been an inspiring teaching and yours was reinforcement to all that was said! The pizza recipe was a huge bonus 🙂
Thanks,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Thank you, Sherry! Glad you enjoyed the post! Hope you try the pizza recipe!
Thanks for visiting today. Blessings to you!
Oh Gayl, now my mouth is watering! Your pizza looks fabulous as was the portion concerning neighbors and mercy. You caused me to stop and think about neighboring and yummies! Visiting via #testimonyTuesday.
You should try the recipe. It’s delicious! Thanks for visiting and for your encouraging comments.
Blessings to you!
Smiling about the hungry family and the missing picture! Sounds like life here . . . when pizza comes out of the oven, get out of the way!
You’re right about that, Michele! Thanks so much for your continued encouragement!
Blessings to you!
Gayl, I love that you broadened my understanding of “neighbor” this morning. We have a larger responsibility to our neighbors than we tend to think.
My husband makes pizza often so I very much enjoyed checking out your recipe. Our entire family loves when he pulls out the stones 🙂 Yours look wonderful!
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Thanks for coming by, Joanne, and for your encouragement. Homemade pizza is the best, isn’t it?
Blessings to you!
Great message, particularly during this current negative political season. We are all each other’s neighbors and should treat one another as such. Thank you for sharing this recipe, too, good neighbor! 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement today. Just think what a different world we’d have if everyone treated each other as neighbors should be treated. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you!
What a feast for body and soul you have set before us today, Gayl! Those pizzas look yummy. It’s been years since I baked a home-made one, but they far outshone those from a store. I totally agree with you here: “A true neighbor is one that will show mercy and compassion to whoever comes across her path.” Oh yes! And sometimes that path is on social media as well as across the street, in town, or on our travels. I ‘meet’ more people online than I ever do in the traditional way. Really glad you and I came across each other! Bless you, friend. xo <3
Wish you could have joined us for the pizza! ) Thank you for always being so encouraging to me, Joy. I agree about meeting people online. I have ‘met’ so many wonderful people and have had the pleasure of meeting some of them in person.
I’m glad, too, that we have ‘met.” I believe God intended for our paths to cross so that we could encourage each other.
Many blessings to you! xo
I always love the Good Samaritan story, Gayl, so thank you for reminding me of the love and compassion we need to show to all we meet. The pizza looks yummy! 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you!
Yes, I love how Jesus answers the question with a story and another question and teaches us so much at the same time.
The pizza was yummy! 🙂 Blessings and hugs right back to you, Trudy!
There are still good Samaritans in this world.
Yes, there are, Tara, and you are one of them! 🙂 You are full of compassion and I am thankful for you.
Thanks so much for your continued presence here. Blessings to you!
Hi Gayl, I think it’s so interesting that the word “neighbor” would connect now with your series about more healthful living. Jesus knew that we would need each other, and that caring is good for our own health, as well as for the health of those we care about! Loved the pictures of your pizzas–brought back good memories of when our kids were young, and everyone pitched in for the making! Thank you for bringing happy thoughts tonight! –Blessings and Hugs!
Yes, I’ve sometimes had to think hard about how to mix the $5MFW word prompt with my theme, but this seemed to work. 🙂
Having a healthy lifestyle means so much more than exercise and diet, and I’m still learning what all it entails. Thank you for your continued support on my 31 day journey. Your comments are always encouraging.
Many blessings to you, Bettie! xo
Gayl, what an inspiring neighbor you are! I am so thankful to have you in my life, even if across the way. Thanks so much for sharing this and the yummy recipe at #TeaAndWord last week, friend!
Thank you for you kind and encouraging comments, Meghan! I’m thankful for you, too, and am glad we “met” online. I was glad to find your linkup. 🙂 Hope you are having a good week.
Many blessings to you, dear Meghan!
I think I will be a better neighbor when #write31days is over. LOL! Love your post and will you come to my house and make this pizza? xoxoxoxo
I know what you mean. #write31days has sure kept me busy along with other things. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post. Sure, I’d love to come visit and make pizza for you. 🙂
Blessings to you dear sister! xoxoxoxo