Pickle Pizza Read Free Page B

Eric.
    â€œI’m thinking about it,” Eric said.
    Dee Dee was still looking at her book. “Hey! Here’s pizza recipes!”
    â€œSo?” Dunkum said.
    â€œI love pizza!” Dee Dee said.
    â€œMe too,” Eric said. He went to look at the book.
    Carly put down her colored chalk. “Let’s see how many pizza recipes are in there.” She squeezed between Dee Dee and Eric to have a look.
    While Carly counted, Eric’s brain whirled. Homemade pizza for Father’s Day , he thought. What a great idea!

    After lunch, Eric read the pizza recipe. It was called, “The Perfect Pizza.”
    Eric chuckled to himself. His pizza was going to be more than perfect. It was going to be a surprise.
    The best Father’s Day pizza ever!

NINE
    Eric sat at the kitchen table. He opened Dee Dee’s recipe book.
    His mother dried her hands. “Looks like someone’s going to cook,” she said.
    â€œI’m gonna try.”
    She leaned over his shoulder. “Mm-m, pizza. Good idea.”
    â€œSh-h! It’s a secret for Grandpa,” Eric said. “For Father’s Day,”
    â€œNeed some help?” Mrs. Hagel’s eyes twinkled. “I’m a pro, you know.”

    â€œYou can help me,” he said. “You can keep Grandpa out of the kitchen.”
    â€œIt’s a deal.” She closed the kitchen door.
    â€œWork in progress.” Eric chuckled softly.
    In the cupboard, he found the flour, salt, and pepper. In the fridge, he found the eggs and milk.
    Suddenly he spotted the pickle jar.
    Dill pickles!
    Grandpa loved pickles. He ate pickles with everything. Scrambled eggs and pickles. Mashed potatoes and pickles. Broccoli, peas, and carrots—all with pickles. He even ate pickles with apple pie!
    Eric grabbed the pickle jar. “My pizza will be perfect,” he said out loud. “A perfect pickle pizza!”
    Quickly, he set to work. He grated the cheese. Lots of it. Next, he made thedough for the crust. After that, Eric opened a can of pizza sauce.
    Then he chopped the pickles on the cutting board. What a great topping , he thought as he chopped.
    Thirty minutes later, the pizza was ready for topping. Eric took it out of the oven. He sprinkled on extra cheese and pizza sauce. And piles of chopped pickles.
    Then he slid the pan back into the oven. The timer was set. Ten minutes to go.
    Soon the smell of hot dill filled the kitchen. He couldn’t wait to taste his perfect pizza.
    Buzz-zing! The timer went off.
    Eric removed the pan from the oven. Carefully, he cut ten pieces.
    Tap, tap . Someone knocked on the back door.
    He hurried to open it.
    There stood Carly and Dee Dee witha plateful of cookies. “Hi, again,” Carly said, giggling.
    Eric gazed at the cookies.
    â€œWe’re having a taste test,” Dee Dee said. “Help yourself.”
    â€œThanks!” Eric bit into a chocolate chip cookie. “Mm-m, it’s great!”
    â€œGoody!” said Carly.
    Dee Dee sniffed the air. “Hey, what’s that smell?”
    â€œMy Father’s Day pizza,” Eric said.
    Carly wrinkled her nose. “It smells . . . uh, funny.”
    Then Eric had an idea. “Wait here,” he said and raced back inside.
    In a flash, he was back with his pickle pizza. “Who wants to taste my baking?” he asked.
    Dee Dee crept up to the pizza. Her eyes got very big. “What’s in it?”
    â€œJust taste it,” Eric insisted.
    â€œUh . . . I don’t know,” Carly said.
    Carly and Dee Dee stared at the pizza.
    â€œYou go first,” Dee Dee said to Carly.
    â€œNo, you ,” Carly said.
    Eric stepped between them. He handed each girl a piece of pizza. “Here. Taste it together,” he said. “On your mark, get set. . . bite!”
    Carly and Dee Dee bit into Eric’s pickle pizza. They coughed and spit it out.
    Dee Dee began to gag. “This is gross!”
    Eric’s heart