Pizza

Posted by ljmacphee on June 18, 2007 under Dinner |

Nothing tastes better than your own pizza and it is so easy to make.

Dough:
1 envelope ( all three sections ) or 2 1/2 teaspoons of yeast
1 - 1 1/2 cups hot water ( the water should be about the same temperature as shower water — hot but not scalding )
3 cups flour
1 Tablespoon olive oil

Mix the water and yeast together. Let it sit a minute until yeast starts to thicken.
Add to flour
Add oil

Mix with mixer - dough will be wet.
Let dough rise one hour it should double or more in volume ( cover it with a towel and place someplace warm 70′-90′ F)

Take 1/2 cup to 1 cup of flour and mix it with the dough until the dough is not too sticky to handle. Do not mix in more flour than you need, just enough so that the dough doesn’t stick to your fingers.

Roll or stretch out the dough and spread it across an oiled cookie sheet or bread baking platter. If you sprinkle some cornmeal down first it’ll help keep the pizza from sticking.

Toppings:

Simple:
Mix 1 can tomato paste with an equal amount of water
Top with mozzarella cheese

* you can use your favorite pasta sauce instead of tomato paste and water
* fresh sliced mozzarella is much better
* adding in some cheddar and parmesan or romano cheese works very well

Also you can clean out the fridge and cabinets; other toppings:
1) sliced, pitted olives, cooked spinach, sliced fresh tomatoes, crumbled feta
2) diced cold cuts, roasted pepper slices

Cook at 400′ until dough in center of pizza is cooked ~30 minutes

If you have lots of toppings on your pizza you’ll find cooking it at a lower temperature ( ~350′ ) for a longer time will give the crust a more even baking.