Pizza Dough

Let's make pizza dough. 

I found an awesome "fool proof" recipe from Lauren's Latest a few months ago and as soon as I saw it I was itching to try it out.  I have made pizza crust before, including this whole wheat pizza crust which happens to be amazing.  But I wanted to try something a little different.  

I have to say this is a. fool proof and b. fantastic.  I used it the next night to make a little dessert as well--any guesses?  :) I will post that super simple recipe tomorrow.  For the time being, let's make some za. 

Musical Selection: Hey Mama by: Mat Kearney  Is anyone else obsessed with this song?  

Start by adding honey (to warm water, if you can tell it's down there)

And yeast.  Let it bloom until it is foamy.

Next add salt

Olive oil

And flour.  I just popped it all in my trusty stand mixer and let it do the hard work for me.  Forgot to snap a picture of that but ultimately it looked like

This.

Spray the bowl with cooking spray and cover it with an out of season dish towel.  Oh heyyy little skiing snowman, glad you could join us.  Let it rise.

Gather up your supplies which should include homemade pizza sauce from your mother-in-law.  Best.stuff.ever.  I swear we basically drink the stuff.  She has agreed to teach me how to can this fall.  I'm sure I will post about it.

The dough has risen.

Add some corn meal to your pizza peel or pizza pan.  I love the texture this adds and it makes sliding the pizza on and off the pizza stone a breeze.

Shape your dough and place on the pizza peel.  Can you tell I'm not Italian?

Slather on the heavenly sauce.

Cheese it up.

Peppers...

Onions...just on half, I wasn't feeling it that night.

And the pepperoni!  On top--I like a crispy roni.

My secret ingredient...Pizza Seasoning from Lunds and Byerly's.  It's the best stuff ever.

A few shakes of red pepper flakes on my half and about a million on Mr. Schwartz's side. Bake for about 10 minutes and out will come...

Cheesy bubbly goodness. Slice

And serve.  Absolute perfection. 

And now I'm hungry.

Pizza Dough 

(Makes 2 medium sized pizza crusts) 

1 cup warm water

2 1/4 tablespoons active dry yeast

1 tablespoon honey (or sugar)

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil 

3 cups bread flour (I used all purpose) give or take 1/2 of a cup depending on humidity 

In a large bowl (I used my stand mixer) stir together water, honey and yeast. Let this sit for 5-10 minutes to "bloom" or until it is bubbly/frothy.   Pour in salt, oil and half of the flour.  Mix. 

Once it is starting to incorporate, add in the remaining flour a little at a time (while the mixer is kneading) until you reach your desired consistency.  Keep testing the dough by touching it, if it sticks it needs more flour if it doesn't you are good to go.  

Once you get to the "not sicking on your fingers stage" turn the mixer on and let it go for 6 minutes. The dough will be soft and easy to work with at this point.  Take it out of the bowl, spray the bowl with cooking spray and put it back into the bowl.  Cover it and let it rise for 1-2 hours.  Then it is ready!  

Recipe found: here 

Notes: I like to bake my pizzas on a pizza stone here is an example.  You don't have to spend a ton of money on it and I just leave ours in the oven at all times.  It has been fine but has gathered some interesting things.  I should clean it. 

Also, preheat your oven to at least 450 to ensure a crispy crust!