The Very Tasty Caterpillar

The Very Tasty Caterpillar

Store bought pizza dough (half a bag)

2 white button mushrooms, sliced

Olive oil for brushing

Toppings, such as peppers, carrots, olives, fresh basil and pepperoni

Sauce of your choice (ie: pesto and tomato)

Mozzarella (cut into disks with a biscuit cutter)

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Lay a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet so that it extends slightly beyond each end. If needed, let the dough rise according to the package directions. Divide the dough into 15 one-inch balls and combine 3 balls to make the head. Dust your hands with flour, then arrange the balls on the cookie sheet and flatten them slightly with your palms.

Press the mushroom slices under the dough for legs, as shown. Brush the dough and mushrooms with olive oil, then bake until the dough is starting to crisp around the edges, about 10 minutes.

While the dough bakes, create the caterpillar features from your choice of topping (ie: green peppers and carrots).

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Using the parchment paper as a carrier, lift the caterpillar off the cookie sheet and set it on a wire rack. When it's cool, paint the surface with sauce and arrange the Mozzarella and toppings. Again using the parchment, set the caterpillar back on the cookie sheet and bake it until the cheese is just starting to brown, about 8 minutes. Let it cool slightly, slice, and serve.

Recipe and picture from FamilyFun.go.com