Homemade Pizza Dough…

Growing up in Queens, NY we had access to the most incredible pizzerias and

Italian bakeries just blocks from our house.

Every Saturday night was pizza night in our home, and not from the pizzeria,

but HOMEMADE pizza made by mother who purchased the best pizza dough from

the local Italian bakery.

When my husband and I were married almost 26 years ago, I continued the tradition of

making our own pizza, yes EVERY Saturday night and I purchased our pizza dough

from the local Italian bakery until we moved to Pennsylvania.

But we still have homemade pizza almost EVERY Saturday night, only NOW I make the dough.

Making your own dough is really the easiest way to enjoy pizza at home.

All you need is a really hot oven to get your pizza crispy and a great recipe for dough

and you have a delicious meal to share with your family and friends.

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1 cup water (110 degrees)

2 cups flour (or more)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons white sugar

Tomato Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese

Your favorite toppings.

For some reason, many people are AFRAID of yeast.

The very first time I used yeast I also thought it wouldn’t work.

Here are some tips that work for me:

I make sure my water is between 105 and 110 degrees.

I heat a cup of water up in my microwave for one minute.

It always brings the water to the proper temperature,

but I still always use my thermometer.  ALWAYS.

Then I add the yeast and stir to dissolve and wait a few minutes.

When the yeast starts to get bubbly and foamy, it’s ready.

Happy yeast…

In a mixing bowl with the dough hook attached,

add the salt, sugar and olive oil.

Once the yeast has shown you that it is “happy,” add it to the mixing bowl.

Then start adding your flour, 1 cup at a time.

The recipe calls for 2 cups of flour.

I NEVER use 2 cups.

If after adding the 2 cups of flour, your dough looks like this,

you will need to add more flour.

Add another cup…

When the dough begins to pull off the sides of the mixing bowl,

you are ready to begin the kneading process…

Set a timer for 5 minutes and let your machine do the work for you.

After 5 minutes, your dough will look like this,

BEAUTIFUL…

Place the dough in a clean mixing bowl with

a little bit of olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and set it aside to rise.

You want the dough to “double” in size.

One loaf of dough doubled in size…

Take the dough from the bowl and place it on a cutting board,

or work directly on your counter top sprinkled with extra flour so the dough doesn’t stick.

You can shape the dough by hand into a prepared pan but

I like to use a rolling pin to get a nice even consistency.

Olivia gave me a great heavy rolling pin for Christmas that is made

for yeast dough…

Place your dough into a pan that has been brushed with olive oil.

Let the pizza dough rise AGAIN, another hour.

Then spread tomato sauce over the dough

and add your favorite toppings…

Bake at 425 until your pizza is done to YOUR liking.

We like ours crispy and it varies all the time as to how long I bake it in the oven.

This was about 20 minutes…

So delicious…

This is what we have for dinner EVERY Saturday night,  if we’re home.

And we’re usually home EVERY Saturday night.

Right where we want to be.

Enjoy your day!