I have a confession to make. I have had serious challenges making homemade pizza. I’ve tried making the dough that rises during the day, using quick-rising yeast for faster results, and even failed with the Trader Joe’s ready-made dough. That’s why I use whole-wheat pitas for make-your-own pizza night.
So when Applegate asked if I wanted to try out their pizza making kit, which includes their new naturals uncured turkey and pork pepperoni, I immediately said yes. The kit they sent (picture above) contained turkey pepperoni, pork pepperoni, a pizza cutter, pizza sauce, provolone cheese, recipe card, a kitchen towel, apron and King Arthur Classic Pizza Crust Mix (gluten free also available).
Applegate is a company that prides itself on providing quality meat with the tagline “changing the meat we eat.” Their pork and turkey pepperoni products are uncured and come from humanely raised animals that were not given antibiotics. There are no nitrates or nitrites added, but as they point out the package they do contain naturally occurring nitrates from the sea salt and celery powder added.
When compared to regular pepperoni, their turkey pepperoni contains much less fat/saturated fat (2 g/.5)) per serving (usually 1 ounce — 28g) than regular pepperoni (14g/6g). Additionally, their product contains less sodium. When compared to another leading turkey pepperoni product, Applegate’s contains 360mg of sodium versus 640mg. Because I am already a consumer of turkey pepperoni, it is clear this product is better than anything I’ve bought to date.
I decided to have a pizza making party on Valentine’s Day. I followed the directions on the pizza crust mix box by adding the yeast provided with water and kneaded the dough with Big A helping me. There is no need to wait. The dough felt nice and sturdy and we divided into about 5 pizzas. You could do more pizzas if you want for thinner crusts. I will probably do that next time.
I put out the toppings – the sauce they provided (ingredients are tomatoes, basil and salt), two different cheeses (provolone/mozzarella), leftover roasted veggies, the turkey pepperoni and mushrooms. I like to brush each pizza with a little olive oil and garlic powder first. Then we made our masterpieces.
My husband helped me transfer the pizzas to the pizza stone and put them in the oven (no problems, yeah!!). We did this in two batches and they looked really good. I was hopeful. When it was cooking in the oven, I made a salad to go with it. They looked good when they were done cooking.
We sat down and all took a bite. Everyone seemed happy, including me. The crust was crispy and the whole meal satisfying. When I asked my husband if it was better than the pita pizza he nodded yes in way that meant “hell, yes.” And at the end of the meal, Big A asked when we were going to make pizza again.
I was redeemed, with a little help from a friend.
I liked all of the products provided in the pizza kit. The pizza crust mix is perfect for workdays when you don’t have time to wait for the dough to rise or Friday nights when you’re feeling less than ambitious. And the pepperoni and sauce are tasty. I also learned that provolone is a great “pizza topping” option.
I asked if Applegate if they could send the same pizza making kit ($100 value) to one of my readers and they were more than happy to. (full disclosure: They sent the complimentary product but I was in no way compensated or influenced to write this review. My opinions are my own.)
Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment why you’d like to try this product.
2. For an additional entry, Like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook. Leave another comment telling me what you did.
3. For a third entry, like Applegate on Facebook leaving another comment.
4. And for a bonus entry, share this post somehow (tweet, facebook or email) and leave a comment.
This giveaway will end next Wednesday March 5th at midnight. A winner will be chosen using random.org.
We love Applegate! And we love pizza! Win-win! Thanks for the giveaway.
I like Applegate on Facebook.
I like Raising Healthy Eaters on Facebook.
I would love to try this. With a picky eater at home that LOVES pizza, it would be great to have a kit. I love applegate chicken sausage so would think this is just as wonderful.
thanks for the opportunity.
We love pizza night and I always buy a crust at Whole Foods and would love to try this. We love the applegate chicken nuggets.
This would be great for my girls. Thanks for doing this.
We love to eat pizza and would love to try this.
Thank you!
We usually end up ordering unhealthy pizza. This would be great to try! I don’t think I have the patience for making pizza, but maybe if it all came in a kit it would be easy:)
we LOVE homemade pizza!!! looks like a great kit
and I just liked the facebook page, kind of surprised me because I thought I already had!
I love Applegate! Humanly raised meat is the only kind I eat!
Would love to try another brand and see what all the hype is. My little one is so picky i am afraid to buy anything new for her pizzas.
I’d love to try the Applegate products-they look delicious!
I Like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook. Thanks!
We love pizza, and I usually do the Trader Joe’s dough, but it would be nice to try another option. I’ve always trusted Applegate products, too – that’s the only lunch meat I’ll buy.
Just liked Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook!
I liked Applegate on Facebook, too!
Shared on Facebook
We love Applegate products! We eat their lunch meat and hot dogs all of the time. Friday is pizza night for us, normally turkey pepperoni for that matter. We would love to try Applegate’s pepperoni, and I also could use help with the pizza dough!
We usually order pizza every week, but I am trying to cut out dairy, so having a kit where everyone can make their own (and mine can omit the cheese) would be great. I like Applegate products for my kids.
We love pizza, but I always bomb on the crust. The healthier meats would be wonderful too!
I like Raise Healthy Eaters on facebook
I like Applegate on Facebook
My daughter loves to make pizza- and I’d like to do it with some higher quality products.
We love making pizzas at home and love Applegate products!
We love homemade pizza and it would be nice to have a kit to make it from.
I like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook.
Love Applegate products! And love pizza with lots of veggies!
We love Applegate products! And my kids and I love making pizzas together!
I liked Raise Healthy Eaters on FB.
I liked Applegate on FB.
Would love to try this!
Big fan of Applegate! Already following on Facebook.
I liked Raise Healthy Eaters of FB
I liked Applegate on FB
Always looking for healthy choices in food
like RH on FB
I would love to try this – I love Applegate products!
Already follow Applegate on FB
Liked Raise Healthy Eaters on FB
Love Applegate products, and how they keep additives out of meat.
Like Raise Healthy Eaters on fb
like applegate on fb
Shared post on fb
I’m a huge Applegate Farms fan and a pizza fan, too, so this is basically made for me 😉
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
My family loves Applegate. They are our go-to for bacon, sausage and chicken patties. Would love to try the pepperoni!
I would like to try this product because my family enjoys making our own pizza
What an amazing idea for gluten free kids!!
My husband loves pizza and I am always looking for a healthier option.
Sharing on twitter
I like raise healthy eaters on Facebook
I like applegate on Facebook
We like to make our own pizza, but struggle with the dough issue as well…this sounds like a great idea. Please add me to the winning ticket!
I would love to give it a try. My husband and son love pepperoni on their pizza but I’m never sure if it’s the healthiest option. This looks like a good tasty alternative to regular pepperoni.
I liked Raising Healthy Eaters on Facebook
I liked Applegate on Facebook
We love to make our own pizza and I’m working on cooking with my kids better (and more often). Would love to try this kit!
I liked Applegate on FB
I liked RHE on FB too
I am a dedicated fan of Applegate. I even have the t-shirt (no – really. I am a lover of pizza and I love to tell family, friends and even customers about their wonderful products. This kit would bring my family together. I mean, who wouldn’t LOVE a pizza they handmade themselves?! Its also my birthday today!
This looks delicious! Just tried AG regular sized pepperonis and we loved them. Haven’t been able to find the minis yet. All AG products are awesome!!
Also I’m already a fan on FB for both AG Farms and RHE.
I’d LOVE to win this and try this stuff out! My kids would have a blast making their own pizzas!
I like RHE on FB!
I like Applegate on FB!
We love pizza and we love the applegate we’ve had and would live to combine the two!
I shared this giveaway via your link on FB 🙂
I like Applegate on FB
I love Applegate Farms’ products – would love to try this!
I already liked Applegate Farms on FB!
I already liked Raise Healthy Eaters on FB!
I liked Raise Healthy Eaters on FB!
Shared on FB!
love trying new products from you guys!
like you on facebook 🙂
like applegate on facebook
“Their pork and turkey pepperoni products are uncured and come from humanely raised animals that were not given antibiotics.”
THAT is exactly why I would love to try their products. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
We struggle Getting Our Two YeAr Old To Eat.
I like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook as Cindy Aiton.
I like Applegate on Facebook as Cindy Aiton.
Shared on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cindy.aiton/posts/670884929620902?stream_ref=1
We love pizza and would get great use of this!!
I like Raise Healthy Eaters on facebook.
I like Applegate on facebook.
I have tried their lunch meat and love it, would love to win the pizza kit and try it!
We love making pizza, and I’m always searching for good toppings. I’d love to try a healthier pepperoni!
I love other applegate products and want to try these because i prefer to buy humanely raised.
I’m already a facebook fan of yours. Hope that counts for something!
I am miserable at making homemade pizza crust. I would love to try it again!
I tweeted!
I like the idea of meats that are healthier
like you on FB
like Applegate on FB
this would be fun!
We love making pizza at home!
I like you on FB.
I like Applegate on FB.
This looks great – I would love to win it because I think both kids would try the pizza!
I like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook!
I liked Applegate on Facebook!
Tweeted!
Sounds awesome and my 4 year old loves Applegate turkey hotdogs
We’re doing a dinner party tomorrow night and the kids will be making their own pizzas while the grown ups nibble apps and taste wine 🙂
Would love to do it again with these products!
I’d love to try this more natural version of pepperoni, we’ve been cutting back on processed meats and I’m occasionally missing pepperoni pizza 🙂
liked raise healthy eaters on facebook
I would like to try this because I am a huge applegate farms fan but I haven’t tried their pepperoni. Also, my kids LOOOVE pizza!
I like you on Facebook (Felice Primeau Devine).
I like Applegate on FB (Felice Primeau Devine).
I would like to try this product because we tend to do pizza night once per week, and I am always on the lookout for healthier options related to pizza. I am especially interested to try the pepperoni and the crust!
I Like Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook (Cee Shelton).
I like Applegate on Facebook (Cee Shelton).
I became OBSESSED with learning to make my own pizza crust (it’s all about the crust) and after several bad pizzas I have a super reliable, easily scalable recipe. I love to serve it when kids come over because everyone gets their own pizza. You get to top it anyway you like. If you’re interested in the recipe, drop me a note.
For people who just don’t want to switch to turkey pepperoni, microwaving regular pepperoni between paper towels before putting it on pizza will eliminate a lot of the grease.
I would like to try this item because I take the health of my children very seriously and strive to purchase organic items wherever possible.
Like Applegate on Facebook
This looks like a wonderful product. Would love to cook with my daughters using this!
My kids love pizza. This would be perfect for them.
I Like Applegate on Facebook.
I shared the giveaway on Twitter. https://twitter.com/Organicandcheap/status/439145900863025152
I actually think this would be a fun date night. Making pizza. Like the concept.
Liked Raise Healthy Eaters on Facebook under Angel V Burce
Liked Applegate on Facebook under Angel V Burce
Tweeted giveaway.
https://twitter.com/Vesper441/status/439206962278825985
Love Applegate!
I love the idea of a healthier pepperoni
i’d love to win this. my family LOVES pizza night and we would put all of this to good use:)
thanks!
liked “raise healthy eaters” on facebook
liked applegate on facebook
shared this post on facebook
My hubby and I LOVE pizza and this kit would make a fun date night for us! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love to try this. I have a quick rise recipe I like, but this would be great.
Liked Raise Healthy eaters
Liked Applegate
Shared via Facebook
Hello Maryann! I’m a huge fan of healthy eating and Applegate products. They just go together don’t they? I would love to try the new mini pepperoni since we already love the HUGE pepperoni.
Thanks,
Laura
Found you on Face book and “liked” your page 🙂
I also “liked” Applegate on Facebook.
Ok, this is getting out of hand 😉 I also RT your giveaway on Twitter.
I also had some fun while I was there and enter a few poems for the #poemeroni contest. Fun!
liked applegate on facebook
and liked “raise healthy eaters” on facebook
I tweeted and shared the contest! https://twitter.com/ledaswanns/status/439628559356022785
I’d love to win because I’m a huge fan of both healthy eating and Applegate products. Plus, who doesn’t love pizza!?
I am a self proclaimed pizza geek, making it from scratch at least once a week. We usually go for a New York Style Crust but also do Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza on occasion. I would like to give Applegate’s pepperoni a try but will admit that I am a bit leery about it the flavor. I usually reach for vegetables but my kids really only eat pepperoni. I like the fact that its much lower in fat but sometimes the taste and texture is important, gotta splurge sometimes. If you plan on doing this again I suggest making the pizzas on parchment paper, then transfer the whole thing onto the stone. The parchment can be removed after a few minutes or left under the pizza for the entire cooking cycle. Cheers!
I like your Facebook page.
I like Applegate’s Facebook page.
I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/439701018192789505.
My parents had a pizza place while I was growing up. I literally ate pizza every day of my life before leaving the nest.
I still feed it often to my own kids, and would love to try out this kit. Thanks!
I like your fb page.
I like Applegate’s page.
I have a pizza dough recipe that we like, but this looks much easier! I would also love to try their meats!
I was a vegetarian for years and since becoming an omnivore again I have yet to have pepperoni. I love Applegate since I’ve vowed to only eat quality meat now. I’d love to be able to serve a pepperoni pizza. I know my daughters (and husband) would love it!
I like your page on Facebook.
I like Applegate farms on Facebook as well.
Awesome post! I want to win the product! Healthy pizza ….done1
We Love Pizza 🙂 this would be so fun to do with my Kiddos!
I’m trying to make my family to living a healthier life and I’ve heard great things about Applegate brand. Would love to win this to try it out with my 4 year old!
Pepperoni with no nitrates – YES!!!
Tweeted – https://twitter.com/susitravl/status/441065625742741504
I love Applegate products and would love to try this.