Embracing Two Awesome Days in One Yummy Bite

It’s National Bagel Day. No, it’s National Pizza Day. Okay, so it’s both. Isn’t that great? I think so.

Today is actually National Bagels and Lox Day. I don’t know about you, but a Bagel Lox Pizza just didn’t seem all that appealing to me. But a Bagel Based Sausage Pizza, now we’re talking.

One of the earliest mentions of a bread that is similar to today’s bagel was a Polish bread, Obwarzanek, that dates as far back as 1394. In the United States, the bagel came over with Eastern European immigrants in the late 1800s. But 1900, there were an estimated 70 Bagel Bakeries in the Lower East Side of New York alone. While New York Jews created a demand for bagels and other specialty breads such as rye and challah, these were considered a Jewish delicacy for a long time. It wasn’t until the 1950s that bagels were mentioned in mainstream media with Family Circle including recipes for bagels that included smoked salmon, anchovies and red caviar.

As for pizza, the first Pizzeria opened in Naples, Italy in 1738. In 1895, Gennaro Lombardi was the first Pizzeria in America. Like many European firsts, it opened in New York City. Pepperoni pizza is the most popular of all pies ordered in America. A study of dining habits has revealed that on average Americans consume 23 pounds of pizza per person per year.

With the popularity of both pizzas and bagels, it only makes sense to whip up individual Bagel Pies. And since Sausage is Hubby’s favorite pizza topping, I went with that.

Enjoy!

Sausage Bagel Pizza
1/2 lb Italian Sausage
1 cup Marinara Sauce
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh Oregano
4 Bagels
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
Salt to taste

Heat broiler element of oven. Line a baking sheet with foil, set aside.

In a skillet over medium heat, crumble sausage. Cook sausage until browned, breaking into pieces as it cooks. Drain sausage, set aside.

In a bowl, mix marinara sauce with red pepper flakes. Cover and microwave sauce to warm, about 2 minutes.

Stack a few oregano leaves, then cut into small pieces, set aside.

Split bagels in half, place cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon a little marinara sauce on each bagel, spread out to coat bagel in sauce.

Scatter shredded Mozzarella Cheese over the bagels. Top with sausage, garnish with oregano.

Pop in the oven and “toast” for 5 minutes or so, until the cheese has melted and the bagel is warm. Season with a little salt if desired.

Serve and enjoy!