Pizza Dough Recipe

(This will make two medium pizza's.  If you think you are making bread - forget about it....this is not the same.)

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 tsp dry yeast (use the higher amount for a thicker crust)
• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Put the hot water into your mixer or mixing bowl.  (Note if you use a mixer with a dough hook, make sure its a sturdy one, or you'll burn it up!)  Add the yeast and sugar.  Mix together well and let this sit for about 10 minutes.  It should foam up (I think they call it bloom.) Slowly add the flour and mix or knead for 5 minutes.  Let the dough raise for about 20-30 minutes, then divide into two portions.  Let the dough rest for 5 minutes then shape into pies. Use vegetable oil to grease your pizza pan if this is your cooking method.

Pizza Sauce:

Buy it in a can, which is actually OK.  Or, take 1 can of diced tomatoes (medium to large can), and season to your taste with salt, pepper, garlic and onion and oregano.  Use granulated garlic and onion power rather than the garlic salt and onion salt.  Puree in your blender until just about, but not completely smooth.  That's it.  No cooking required.

Toppings:

Cheese, roni, sausage, ground beef are all standard, but, I much prefer mushrooms and black olives, sun dried tomatoes, green peppers and onions.  Jalapeños are good, but not for everyone.  "The Works" type pizza's are not recommended.  Too many flavors.

Build/ bake your Pizza:

Form the dough. Spread on your pan or paddle.  Add sauce, top with cheese and your other topping choices.  Sprinkle with additional garlic and oregano.  Bake at 475-500 degrees for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to brown.

Cooking options: 

• Pizza stone in the oven is best, but you'll need a wooden paddle too.  This is not a beginners option.
• Pizza pan is great.
• Cookie Sheet?  Well, OK.