Recipe Friday: Homemade Pizza

When asked the question "If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" My answer is always pizza. I love the variety that you get with having pizza. One of my favorite things to grill on our barbeque in the summer time is pizza. I just found this recipe for Italian-Style pizza crust and I am excited to try it out on the grill. Its still a bit chilly outside so I won't be grilling this one. I have looked long and hard for a good pizza crust recipe. All of the ones I have tried have tasted really yeasty. But this one was delicious and didn't have much of a yest taste!!! I also I have added pictures of the process. I didn't think of taking pictures until after I had already made the crust so that is why there aren't any pictures of the crust making. Not to mention, it was a bit messy.

Italian-Style Pizza Crust

1 packet active dry yeast

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1. Dissolve yeast in water in a large bowl.

2. Mix in half the flour then add sugar, salt, and oil.

3. Add flour until the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl.

4. Take dough out of the bowl and kneed for 10 minutes (or until smooth and springy) on a lightly floured surface.

5. Place dough in a oiled bowl. Turn dough to grease all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 20 minutes.

6. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours but no longer than 48 hours.

To make pizza:
Choose your toppings.

I like to do Margarita which is olive oil for the sauce, sliced roma tomatoes, chopped garlic cloves, salt and pepper, fresh mozzarella cheese topped with basil.

I also like Chicken Pesto which is pesto sauce spread on the crust, chopped chicken, red onions, artichoke hearts, sliced roma tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
You really can put anything on a pizza... all kinds of meats, veggies, you can even do a dessert pizza topped with your favorite goodies. Have fun and experiment with different toppings.

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and move one of the racks to the lowest position.

2. Grease a cookie sheet or 12 inch pizza pan with oil. Press dough into 12 inch circle using floured fingers. Press dough from center to edge so the edge is slightly thicker than the center.