Pizza like your mama never made
Pizza is one of the most popular and easy to make foods. I’ve found that what really makes a pizza great is the crust. I use the following pizza crust recipe and it beats any pizza I’ve ever eaten.
This makes one 18″ medium thickness crust:
1. ) Mix together: 1 tbsp of active yeast,
3/4 cups warm water,
1 TBSP + 1 tsp olive oil
Let mixture stand until yeast softens
2.) Place in mixing bowl: 1 1/2 cups flour,
1 1/4 tsp of salt
3.) Add yeast mixture and stir together with wooden spoon until thoroughly blended.
4.) Add 3/4 cup flour and knead until dough is smooth.
5.) Place dough in a bowl that has been coated with a bit of oil so it can rise easily. Cover the bowl with cloth and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
If you have a mixer with a dough hook, you can use it. Otherwise, your can do it just as fast with your hands on a smooth surface.
After the dough rises, punch it down. It’s time to start preheating the oven because it takes a while to get up to 550 degrees.
Roll the dough out into a circle, it’s easier if you start the shape using your hands to press the dough out.
If you’re using a peel and pizza stone be sure to put some cornmeal under the crust so that it will slide off easily.
Once the dough is rolled out, top it with your favorite marinara. You can buy it or make it. I make mine easy with one 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes with a clove of garlic and 1/2 tsp of dried oregano.
Top the pizza with your favorite cheese and whatever toppings you like. I like to use Mozzarella, Fontina and Parmesan.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until crust is browned. The crust is measurably better if you cook it on a pizza stone.
Enjoy!
