Pizza Night!

I've been using these recipes for pizza dough and sauce for several years now. They are quick and simple, and in my house that equals perfect! :) I promised the Munchkin a few days ago that we would make pizza today.

I had all these great plans. I was going to let everyone make their own pizzas (well, Sprout was going to get some help!) and take lots of great pictures in the process. Little did I know the chaos that was about to hit...

I was kneading the dough when D called me on the phone to tell me that he had just picked up a puppy that someone had left on the side of the road. We live outside the city limits, and people seem to think that the country is a free-for-all dumping ground for unwanted items, even living unwanted items. It's just a little puppy, and it's been cold, so he just couldn't drive by and leave it there.

So, needless to say I had to deal with two hyper children, a cute puppy dog, and a hubby that wanted to run to the store for puppy food...all while getting supper ready. I wound up just making one thicker crust pizza and calling it good!!

I will usually start the sauce first, then while it's doing its thing I'll mix up the pizza dough. While the dough rests, I'll get out the rest of the toppings and then we're ready to roll! I've used the dough recipe for thicker and thinner crust pizzas, calzone, and breadsticks...sometimes cinnamon sugar breadsticks. ;)

I think the dough recipe is actually a Fleishman's recipe. There are notes at the bottom that were left by other posters on an internet recipe site where I found it. I've also substituted whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose before, and it turned out well!

And a picture of the little stinker that caused the chaos...

Quick Pizza Sauce

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
6 fluid oz warm water
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp minced garlic (or 1/2 to 3/4 tsp garlic powder)
1-2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp Italian herb mix
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
salt to taste

In a small bowl combine all ingredients, making sure to break up any clumps of cheese. Cover the sauce and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Spread sauce over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

*****

Master Pizza Dough

3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package rapid rise yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup very warm water (120-130'F)
2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
cornmeal

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast and salt. Stir in the water and oil. Mix in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.
Lightly oil 1 (14-inch) or 2 (12-inch) round pizza pan(s). Sprinkle with cornmeal. Shape dough into smooth ball. Divide and roll dough to fit desired pan(s). Bake in a 450'F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.

Notes: To freeze, form the dough into a ball, put a very light coat of olive oil on it, then place it in two plastic bags, tied tightly. It will keep in the freezer for about 3 months. When you need to use it, just take it out and thaw. Great for stromboli, grilled on the bbq, or sprinkled with coarse salt and herbs and baked as a flat bread.


Enjoy!!