Friday, April 04, 2008

Pizza!

How about making this for supper tonight?

Go ahead, try it, it isn't as hard as you think.

First make your dough:

Pizza Crust:
5-6 cups flour
2 pckgs yeast
2 tsp Oregano
2 tsp Thyme (I don't like thyme much so usually omit or add extra oregano or basil)
1 tsp salt
2 cups warm (120-130 degree) water
4 Tbsp Olive oil
2 eggs

In a bowl combine 3 cups flour ( I used half white, half wheat), undisolved yeast, oregano, thyme (I omitted these this time) and salt. Add water and oil and beat till combined. Add eggs and 1 cup flour and beat till combined. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough and knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl and let rise till doubled, about 30-45 minutes.

While the dough is rising, it is time to make your Pizza Sauce:

Pizza Sauce:
Saute in 1 Tbsp oil 2 cloves garlic, minced.
Add to this:
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp oregano
parsley or cilantro to taste
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
hot sauce to taste
Worcestershire sauce to taste
Stir together and simmer for 10 minutes. This is great for dipping the crusts in at the table or breadsticks.

Now would also be a good time to gather your pizza toppings. Is your meat cooked? If not, go ahead and begin cooking it, so it will be ready. I used left over sausages from the Easter breakfast. They gave us a great big amount of leftover links. David chopped them up for me and put them into freezer bags just for pizza days. I also sauted some fresh mushrooms (although canned works just fine), took out the diced peppers from the freezer and the cheese.

By this time, your dough is probably ready, so go and turn your oven on to 400 degrees F.

Once the dough is doubled put it on an oiled surface, punch down and divide into three parts. Roll out to fit your pans. I used my two Pampered Chef stones, one round, one oblong. Anything will work - if you don't use a stone, make sure to oil or spray the pan with non-stick spray.

Then begin assembling the pizzas to your hearts content. This is what mine looked like:

This one is simply sausage and cheese - more kid friendly.

This one has the yummy peppers and mushrooms too.

Don't forget to sprinkle some Italian seasoning on top for extra flavor!

Now the recipe says to cover and let the dough rise again before baking. But I just wait till the oven is pre-heated and begin baking. Bake for 25 minutes or until done. Remember to switch the pans half-way through for even baking!

Now remember that third piece of dough? I didn't forget it, don't worry, it turns into.....
Dessert!

Roll out your third piece of dough. Melt butter and spread over top. Peel and slice apples and lay over the entire top (use as many as you want). Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over them. Now mix together: 1/4 cup sugar, 7 Tbsp flour, and 2.5 Tbsp butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.

Now you don't have to do it this way, you have options:
1. Use melted butter and simply add cinnamon sugar and the crumb topping.
2. Use canned pie filling of your choice.
3. Do number one adding mini-m&m's.

You get the picture - anything that strikes your fancy. We like apples, and usually have them on hand. This time I happened to have some in the freezer that weren't enough for a pie, so I grabbed them and used them - even easier than peeling and slicing!


Once the regular pizzas are done, put in your dessert pizza and let it bake for about 12 minutes. Check it and let it bake until it is done maybe another 5-10 minutes more. Then to make it even sweeter and appealing to the eye, make a simple frosting (powdered sugar and water or kick it up a notch by adding melted butter and vanilla) to your own desired consistency and drizzle over the top before slicing and eating.



So, go on, try it - you can have this delicious meal on the table in an hour and a half.

7 comments:

Laura said...

Do you deliver? : ) Yummmmmm....

Karen said...

Your dough recipe is a lot like mine, but I don't use the eggs. I have a friend who uses evaporated milk instead of water and really enjoys the taste and texture. I'll have to try your recipe on Paige's birthday next week. She requested Pizza Hut, but was happy to settle for homemade. Karen

Kristi Heinz said...

So, I say I don't make it for dinner....you come here to Indiana and make it for us! We could have a lot of fun together in the kitchen!

Or, how about freeze and deliver, just like Giordano's! I would pay top dollar! Looks SOOOOOOOOOO good!

Glenda said...

Sorry, Laura, no delivery, only in-house dining, when you coming?

Karen, I use ev. milk in my bread all the time, I never thought about trying it with my pizza dough. I'll have to try it. Have fun making pizza's for Paige's birthday!

Kristi, Hmmm..., you're all of about an hour south of my mom, I wonder if we could get together this summer when we come down in June? We can make up some crusts for you, partially bake them and then you can freeze them for future use even! Of course we'd have to make some to eat that day too!

Kristi Heinz said...

You are MORE than welcome to come and visit! We would love to see you and have time to visit! The first state capital of Indiana is in Corydon, which is 15 minutes from us. It is a nice little visit. Squire Boone Caverns is only 30 min. away. It could be a vacation in a vacation! Have you ever been to Holiday World?

The pizza would be just a fun bonus! It would be great to have you visit.

Are you going to Bender's conference this year? We will be there on one weekend in June. The first weekend of June I am in Wilwaukee for a Bead Show. It is HUGE and a cheap way to get stock for the business! The second full week of June is VBS. I am in charge of crafts. I am weary of this job. We have it in the evenings here.

When are you heading this direction?

Glenda said...

Nope I've never been to Holiday World, but I have all sorts of relatives near Corydon. My mom grew up in and around those hills. Yes we're going to CCA this year and heading south afterwards. If we come, it would probably just be for the day though. We'll have to think on this one to see if it can work.

Kristi Heinz said...

You know we would welcome you anytime, however I know how precious vacation time is. Rarely do you get to rest because you are running all over trying to see everyone. I totally understand all of that. Know that you are always welcome.

I will be happy to see you at CCA this year! We are bringing Ben this time. Yes, we really do have a child :0) Usually we leave him with Grandman and Grandpa. He is spending time with them during the St. Louis Higher Things.