Recipes

Handcrafted Pizza

Wandering through Facebook the other day I saw a local place touting their new size of pizza they were making. At only $25 a pizza pie. Ouch. I know it’s good pizza, for sure. I have eaten it before, and the guy who makes it is talented. But $25? It would cost us $50 plus tax and tip to feed our family.

Our boys love nothing more than Mama’s pizza when I get up off my lazy butt and make it. Thing is, this pizza dough in incredibly easy to make, it just takes a little time is all (so I have to plan to make it).

I buy the cheese in bulk so I usually have mozzarella on hand. 1 jar or can of pizza sauce is plenty for 2 crusts or make your own.

Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

  • 1½ Tbsp yeast
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1½ cup water ( about 110*)
  • 1½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp avocado or olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour + more for kneading

Directions:

In a stand mixer bowl add the yeast, sugar and water. Let sit for 10 minutes to foam up. Put on a bread hook.

Preheat the oven to 450°.

Add in the salt, oil and honey, then add the flour, one cup at a time on low. Turn it up slowly to work the flour in. The dough will be most likely sticky still.

Sprinkle flour on a work surface and scrape out the dough. Add a bit more flour on the top. Start kneading to work the flour in, till it isn’t sticky and is pliable. Cut the dough in half.

Let rest for 5 minutes, then shape the dough as desired.

Place on your baking sheets, if I use a cookie tray, I line it with parchment paper. For my round pizza pan I don’t – as it has holes in the bottom, which produces a great crust and no sogginess..

Press dough to fit the pan.

Spread sauce as desired, sprinkle on cheese (I use 8 to 16 ounces per pizza, as desired), then any toppings.

Bake 1 pizza at a time, up on higher rack, for 20 minutes. The cheese should be golden and bubbling.

Let rest for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and serve.

Makes 2 pizzas.

Note:

If using vegetables I highly suggest first sautéing them to work off extra moisture. If using canned items like olives, drain them and then let air dry on paper towels.

~Sarah