Local pizzerias face off in Pizza Wars fundraiser for District 219

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- Pizza is a favorite for people of all ages, but especially among young folks. So it is only fitting that a fundraiser for suburban students is centered on pizza - and a lot of it! The fifth annual Pizza Wars at Niles North High School pits pizzerias against each other to raise money for the District 219 Education Foundation, a fundraising entity for the Niles Township schools.

Alyse Burman, director of the District 219 Education Foundation, and Abbott Smith, owner of Father & Son Italian Kitchen and one of the contenders of the Pizza Wars, came into our studio to tell us about the event. Smith also showed us how to make a Thai Mushroom Pizza.

Pizza Wars V
Thursday, Jan. 15
6-9 p.m.

Niles North High School
Main Gym
9800 Lawler Avenue
Skokie, Ill.

Admission:
$12 in advance
$15 at the door
Buy online: http://www.219foundation.org/

Father & Son Italian Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianKitchenPiazze

Abbott Smith's recipes:

Thai peanut sauce:

Ingredients:
2 pints peanut butter
2 1/2 pint teriyaki Sauce
1 oz. crushed red pepper seeds

Preparation:
1. Measure 1 pint peanut sauce in mixing bowl.
2. Add 2 1/2 pint teriyaki sauce to mixing bowl.
3. Add 1 oz. crushed red pepper seeds.
4. Mix well.

Thai mushroom pizza:

Ingredients:
2 oz. Thai peanut sauce (see above)
2.4 oz. mushrooms
3 oz. shredded mozzarella
1 oz. shredded carrots
1 oz. chopped scallions

Preparation:
1. Spread 2 oz. Thai peanut sauce evenly on pizza crust.
2. Spread 2.4 oz. mushrooms evenly on pizza.
3. Spread 3.0 oz. shredded mozzarella evenly on pizza.
4. Sprinkle 1 oz. shredded carrots evenly on pizza.
5. Sprinkle 1 oz. chopped scallions evenly on pizza.
6. Cook pizza at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.