We all know that certain foods can evoke strong emotions. It's especially apparent this time of year, when we discuss what stuffing to make with the turkey or whether to include marshmallows on the sweet potatoes. Of course, some foods are controversial any time of year, and pizza is one of them.

Thin crust, deep-dish, pepperoni, extra-cheese, and of course, anchovies are all debate-worthy topics when it comes to pizza. Most of us have a pretty clear idea about what's right and what's wrong when it comes to our own slice of the pie. That's one reason I'm a fan of homemade pizza, because every member of the family can make their own and put whatever they want on it.

That works for my crew, who like some strange toppings. I'm often the biggest offender when it comes to unconventional options. Roasted butternut squash, eggplant, goat cheese, dried figs, hazelnuts, asparagus and eggs are all possibilities. When I look at my finished pizza, it usually bears little resemblance to most people's idea of pizza, which is why I just call it flatbread. It's so freeing. I can do anything I want to a flatbread and no one complains. It's about managing expectations.

Beyond the toppings, the crust is also an important issue. For me, a tomato-sauced, cheesy, pepperoni-topped pizza has to have a chewy crust. A flatbread, on the other hand, can have a crispy crust. To achieve that effect, the crust needs to be par-baked before you begin topping it.

This technique offers more than a crackerlike crust. It allows you to pre-bake as many crusts as you like ahead of time, which, when you're entertaining, can be a lifesaver. Once the crusts are done, the calm, cool and collected host can simply wave their hand over a dizzying array of toppings and busy their guests with the construction of their perfect flatbread, while sipping a glass of wine. That's called multi-tasking.

Any parent with more than one child can also see the benefit in being able to pass out a crust to each one at the same time. No wait, no problem.

Meredith Deeds of Edina has an online Craftsy cooking class on focaccia and flatbreads, with a discount, at www.craftsy.com/ext/DeedsFlatbreads. Reach her at meredith@meredithdeeds.com. Follow her on Twitter: @meredithdeeds.

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