Pizza anyone?

So, I would like to know if there is anyone who doesn’t love pizza.  I, mean, really what is there not to love about it?  It covers all of the food groups which makes it nutritious.  It requires very little effort and expertise and it is wonderful for getting people involved!  Once again, a great way to spend time with the family in the kitchen   Pizza really can be a nutritious meal if not over done with the cheese and other rich ingredients.  When we make pizza it’s always a wonderful and exciting day.  Ever since I was a little girl I have loved pizza.  I don’t think it had or has anything to do with the food really but more so the extra time I get to spend in the kitchen with others.  So, here is my recipe for pizza….

For the crust…

31/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons ground sea salt

1 1/4 cups lukewarm water

1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoon)

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

Place flour and salt in the bowl and whisk together.  Place the yeast into another bowl and add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar to the yeast.  Add 1 1/4 cup warm water to the yeast.  When the yeast is foamy and activated stir with a spoon and add the olive oil and honey to the mixture and stir well.    Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients and combine to make a ball.  Once you have a ball transfer the ball to a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough has come together  and it is slightly sticky but not overly so.

Coat a large bowl with olive oil and transfer the dough into the bowl.  Rub olive oil on top of the dough and cover with a dish towel.  Let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.

Once the dough has doubled in size punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.  Use immediately or wrap dough in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to use.  Makes 2 – 12 inch pizzas.

For the toppings…

1/2 cup onions

1/2 cup black olives

3/4 cup ham

1/2 cup pineapple

1/3 cup peppers

4 cups mozzarella and cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons of cornmeal

For the Sauce…

1/4-1/2 cup prepared spaghetti sauce, this is an approximate amount you may need more or less depending on your sauce preference

1/2-1 tablespoons of sugar

1 teaspoon each dried oregano, basil and thyme

Place all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir to combine, adjust the seasoning to your liking.

To prepare the pizza…

Roll out the dough to your desired thickness.  Fit the dough on to a 12 inch pizza pan.  Place the pizza sauce on the dough and spread the sauce, starting from the center and working your way out towards the crust.

Place all of the toppings on top of the pizza sauce.  Once prepared place in the oven and bake at 400 F until cooked, check the bottom of the pizza to ensure that burning does not occur.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes depending on your oven temperature.

The entire time for this recipe was 1 hour and 20 minutes.  The dough takes 1 hour and the preparing of toppings takes about 20 minutes and then 20-25 minutes to bake.  This dough freezes well, I might add that it is better to fully dress the dough before freezing.  Preparing the entire pizza and then freezing it will come out better than freezing the dough and trying to  reuse it.

Pizza is such a versatile recipe, there are so many variations to the toppings and tastes that you could have.  One of my favorite pizzas is Cajun chicken with sun dried tomatoes.  There are so many different variations that you can try and I really do encourage you to try.  Please write me and tell me what your favorite pizza toppings are.  I would love to hear from you, any questions, comments and suggestions are all welcomed!

From our kitchen to yours,

Sydney Jones