Pizza Dough

Why is pizza delivery so expensive when it is one of the simplest foods to make? Like any other question asked these days, the answer might just be the ECONOMY! Regardless,you can make your own pizza at home, and for way less. Since the “30 minutes or less” delivery promise has gone with that of the “Where’s the beef” slogan, you can probably make it in less time then delivery would take to get to your door!

Ingredients you will need

– 1 package of active dry or fresh yeast

– 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

– 1 cup warm water, 105 to 115 degrees F

– 3 cups flour (all-purpose, unbleached is really up to you)

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt

– 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

– Fresh herbs or spices (optional)

– Additional olive oil for brushing (optional)

– Your preferred method of mixing utensils/machine

Directions

-In a small bowl, dissolve yeast (and honey) in cup of warm water.

– In a large bowl with spoon

Combine flour with salt. Add oil to yeast mixture with remaining cup of water, and herbs or spices (if used) and mix until a ball is formed coming off cleanly from sides of bowl.

-Turn dough onto clean work surface, hand knead for 2-3 minutes. It should feel smooth and firm to the touch. Place in covered bowl with cling wrap or damp warm towel and put over gas pilot light as long as bowl is not plastic. Keep there for 45 min.-1hr depending on when it doubles in size. If it is ready it will stretch when it is gently pulled.

– Work ball by pulling downward the sides and tucking underneath. Repeat this 4 to 5 times as necessary.

– On smooth lightly floured surface roll ball under rolling pin working from the center out, until smooth and firm. You can use it from this stage or let it rise as before for another 45 min.-1 hr. Refrigerates for up to 2 days.

Think outside of the “pizza box”. Get the whole family involved to make the dough and put on the toppings. Brush the dough with olive oil, place herbs like rosemary and thyme before you put on your favorite sauce. Try cooking it on a pizza stone in your oven or adding cornmeal to the bottom for an authentic take-out feel. Don’t be afraid to use string cheese sticks rolled up in the edges for your very own stuffed crust. Experiment with different sauces, how about barbeque sauce with left-over chicken from the cookout, sprinkled with cheddar cheese and some caramelized onions? Pizza can be inspired by other ethnic foods as well. Use taco sauce as your start, add taco seasoned cooked ground beef, covered with cheddar cheese and crushed corn chips. Then once out of the oven cover with sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce for a feast sure to be a hit!

The word pizza is often associated with a circle shape; but have fun make it a square, rectangle, or individual sizes. Use large cookie cutters to make mini versions or even make small calzones for each person. Try putting your toppings on in different order, did you know putting your cheese on last helps hold all the other toppings down when you bite into that nice big slice? Make faces or pictures with your toppings. Or better yet, try flavor combinations your local pizza parlor would never have on the menu like pickle coins, black olives, and pepperoni.Whatever you do make sure to have fun, and be creative!

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