Well doesn't that sound amazing!? We are having friends over for a chili feed the day before and then heading to see family the next morning. That way we get to see everyone.

My first thought is just to make sure the onions are carmelized. My favorite local pizza place have a an artichoke-carmelized pizza that is just to die for. Have fun!

Kate

Go through your handy-dandy salad bar at the grocery store and get all kinds of "fun" things to use as a pizza topping. I do this when I want something special for our Sunday night pizza, and not have to buy large quantities of things.

I'll also use the salad bar if I need small amounts of things for a recipe. I'll get those 2 T. of green onions at the salad bar, instead of buying a whole bunch I might not get used in a timely fashion. When bell peppers are expensive in the winter, get what you need at the salad bar.

-Grainlady

Sundried tomatoes
Mushrooms
Jalapenos
Shrimp or crab
Several cheeses
Red pepper flakes
A red and a white (garlic) sauce

Sounds like a feast already!

Deanna

Melanzane (pickled eggplant)
Feta cheese
Bacon
Ham/Prosciutto
Pickled paprika peppers
Anchovies
A popular topping for children's pizzas here is ham and pineapple

Fresh mozzarella
basil leaves

I just had a wonderful slice of Margarita-style pizza yesterday....

I love blue cheese with caramelized onions, rosemary and potatoes, toasted cashews are yummy, as are green olives, Pesto, roasted squash or sweet potatoes.

Instead of French bread, I use Ciabatta bread for that because it is closer to pizza shape. My favorite way to top it is with sliced vine-ripened tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, and a chiffonade of fresh basil. I think it would be a good idea to make it easy to for guests to keep it very simple, if that is what they prefer. I would have sliced Provolone and Asiago cheese as two of the cheese options.

When I make mine, I spread the bread first with herb garlic butter. Here's how I make it:

1/2 head of Garlic, about 8-12 cloves
2-3 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme (all stems removed)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp ground cayenne (red pepper)
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Peel the cloves of garlic, remove stems, and chop coarsely, into about 4-6 pieces per clove. Put into a small food processor with the oregano, thyme, and basil. Process until the garlic has been finely chopped and then add one stick (1/2 cup or 1/4 lb.) butter and blend until smooth. Add peppers and salt and the remaining butter and blend. Lastly add olive oil, to make the butter easier to spread and for flavor. If you want the butter to be softer add more olive oil. Do not substitute dried herbs for fresh - omit them if you do not have the fresh ones.

I agree that artichoke heart is one of the best toppings. I have no idea what children would like, but you could marinate some mushrooms or have a mushroom tapenade. I usually saute a medley of mushrooms for pizza, although some of them are expensive.

Lars

Wonderful ideas! I hadn't thought of Bleu cheese, and I love it--I can get Maytag on the coast where we'll get together, so I'll have that for sure. The Garlic sauce a sure keeper, too--I hadn't thought of various sauces. Lars, thanks for the recipe! I'll be using Reising's French bread; it's traditional for New Orleans po' boys, and I can't get it further inland, either. It's light and crisps nicely, but if I can find Ciabatta, I can offer it, too. No time to make my own as we'll be in full prep for Thanksgiving mode :)

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions, everyone, and feel free to offer more if you have them. I'm getting excited about my simple little idea!

Here is a link that might be useful: Reisings French Bread

We love taco pizza. Seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese and then just pile on all the stuff you would on tacos.

Pesto...and some little kids may like a hot dog pizza....but make sure you ctu the dogs in half rounds for the littlest ones.