Pizza Crust

So, I mentioned pizza dough and got a request for the recipe, and what woman doesn't like having someone want their recipe, seriously?!

So, here it is, my quick and easy pizza dough (adapted from a random recipe on foodnetwork.com)

1 Packet Quick Yeast
1 tsp Sugar
1 Cup HOT (not yet boiling) water
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. Oil (Olive or Vegetable)
2 1/2 cups Flour (plus extra for kneading)

Mix Yeast, Sugar and Water in a large measuring cup and let sit until doubled.

Place Salt and 1 Tbsp. Oil in the bottom of a large mixing bowl, add doubled water/yeast mixture and beat with a wisk.

Gradually stir in flour a half a cup at a time until the dough forms into one big soft but slightly sticky ball.

Lightly flour counter and knead 10-15 times.

Coat a clean mixing bowl with remaining oil and roll dough in it until the entire ball of dough is covered in oil. Cover with cloth or wax paper and let rise a minimum of 30 minutes.
The glory of this recipe is that whether you let it rise 1/2 an hour or 10 hours, it's the same fluffiness.

I do my pizza on a stone, but a cookie sheet will work too.

Roll dough unto stone/sheet and pinch up sides to form a crust. Prick with a fork and bake at 375 degrees for 6-7 minutes to set dough before adding toppings. Add toppings, bake an additional 10-12 minutes.

Makes one thick 14" round pizza, or two thin rectangular pizzas on a cookie sheet.


Also, a trick I started doing to add flavor to the crust-

Before adding toppings, but after baking the first time, spread this mixture over the entire dough-

1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin)
1 Tbsp Shredded Parmesan
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Paprika
Oregano
(all spices just a dash or two to season)

Melt together and spread on crust, it's amazing the difference it makes. I sometimes don't even bother with sauce and just add a little more of this mixture under the cheese, it's amazing.

I think now that I've written all this out I'll have to make it for dinner tomorrow even if it is a Sunday. I'll try to remember to take pictures then.

Hope you enjoy!