Today, I decided to bake another batch of Tangzhong Bread. Since my daughter is now on summer break, she was home with me, and we decided to spend the morning baking together.
Everything was going smoothly as usual. Once the dough finished its first rise, I was getting ready to divide and shape it. Right at that moment, my daughter looked up and asked, “Daddy, can we turn this into a pizza?”
My typical adult brain immediately kicked into gear: Wait, doesn’t pizza dough require different flour, a different hydration, and a completely different baking technique? Will soft, fluffy bread dough actually taste good as a pizza crust? Am I overthinking this? Maybe she just wants to have some fun? Why do I always make things so complicated—won’t we know the answer once we just try it?
After a quick three-to-five-second brainstorm inside my head, I smiled and replied, “Let’s give it a shot! I can’t guarantee how it will turn out, but let’s do our best and see.”
I checked the fridge and found some shredded cheese and sausage. I sliced up the sausage while flattening the dough out into a wide flatbread shape on a baking tray. Then, I handed things over to my daughter, letting her spread the shredded cheese and arrange the sausage slices across the top.
We slid it into the oven and baked it until the cheese melted into a bubbly, golden-brown crust. When it came out, it smelled wonderful and looked surprisingly appetizing!
While the pizza was cooling slightly, my daughter came up with another bright idea: “Can we make some milk tea to go with it?”
“Why not?” I said with a smile. We brewed some tea, and she carefully helped pour the milk into our cups.
Just as we were about to sit down, she looked toward the glass door and made one more suggestion: “Why don’t we eat outside in the backyard and enjoy the sunshine?”
I had to laugh to myself. How does she come up with so many great ideas?
Without hesitation, I answered, “Why not!”
We set up our camping chairs on the patio, carried our warm homemade pizza and drinks outside, and enjoyed a quiet, relaxing lunch together under the open sky.
Watching your child grow up, express her own thoughts, and share creative ideas is truly one of life’s greatest joys.