There is nothing like a hot, fresh pizza. But take-out can pack on the unhealthy ingredients and the calories. Here's how to master the basics of pizza dough and sauce.
The benefits to creating pizza in the home kitchen are endless. The home cook can control the ingredients, swapping whole-wheat for plain flour, or use organic tomatoes and vegetables. These quick and easy recipes can help the home cook perfect pizza night.
Pizza Dough
This recipe can make two thin-crust pizzas, or one large deep-dish pizza.
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Tbl. olive oil, plus more for pan preparation
- Cornmeal, for pan preparation
Directions:
- Heat water in microwave on high for 1 ½ to 2 minutes; for accurate water temperature, use a candy thermometer.
- In the bowl of a stand up mixer, or in a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of flour, yeast and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil. Fit mixer or hand-held mixer with dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl; continue to beat on high speed for three minutes, until ingredients are incorporated. Add as much of the remaining flour as possible, in ¼ cup increments, mixing on low speed with each addition.
- Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead dough until smooth and elastic, between 6 to 8 minutes. If making two thin-crust pizzas, divide dough in half, place in a lightly oiled bowl(s), cover with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes.
- Thin Crust: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly oil two round pizza pans or baking sheets and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of cornmeal, if desired. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface until about 12-inch round and transfer to pizza pans. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crush is browned. Remove pizzas from oven, top with Quick and Easy Pizza Sauce, desired toppings and cheese. Return to oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Pan Crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a large jelly-roll pan (rimmed baking sheet) and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons cornmeal. Start dough by rolling out on a lightly-floured surface, transfer to pan and press dough into pan with fingers. Cover and let dough rest for 10 minutes. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crust is browned. Remove from oven, and top with Quick and Easy Pizza Sauce, desired toppings and cheese. Return to oven and bake for 15 to 18 more minutes.
*For whole-wheat dough, substitute 1 cup of whole-wheat flour for the all-purpose flour.
*For herbed pizza dough, add 1 tablespoon of oregano, basil or rosemary to the dough before kneading.
Quick and Easy Pizza Sauce
For one large pan pizza or two thin-crust pizzas
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 tea olive oil, or cooking spray
- 1 10.75 ounce can tomato puree
- 1 TBsp chopped fresh oregano
Directions:
- Heat a medium pot of medium heat, coat with olive oil or cooking spray. Add onions, celery and carrots, sweat until just softened, do not brown. Add tomato puree, bring to a simmer. Remove pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer mixture to a blender and puree. Stir in oregano.
The copyright of the article Simple Homemade Pizza in Dinner Recipes is owned by Lisa Ann Schleipfer. Permission to republish Simple Homemade Pizza in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
