P-Pizza!

Honestly...who does not love a good pizza?  I know I do.  I also know that it is cheaper and you get exactly what you want when you make it yourself.  Surprisingly, it is not that hard to do!  The most time consuming part is the dough, but you can make it ahead of time and freeze it and just set it on the counter the morning you want to make pizza!  I got this recipe from my Italian co-worker.

Dough:

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

• 1 cup warm water 
• 300 g flour (I used 2 cups for those of you who do not have scales like me, also I used all-purpose flour and other recipes call for bread flour...I think it makes a slight difference in consistency and rising times)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons white sugar

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• Directions:
• In a small bowl dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for about ten minutes.  Combine other ingredients in large bowl while waiting.  After the ten minutes is up, add to the larger bowl and stir in.  Knead on a floured surface for about five minutes.  Return to bowl and cover with a dish towel and let rise until doubled in size (one to two hours).  Punch down the dough (this is where you can freeze it if you want to use it another day) and then let rise for another twenty minutes.  Roll out and bake about ten minutes at 350F (if you like crispy dough, if you do not like crispy dough you should top the unbaked crust and then bake for about fifteen minutes).  Top with all your favorite toppings and return to the oven until the cheese is melted!  
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• For my first pizza I used marinara sauce, mozzarella, ricotta cheese, banana peppers, red onions, spinach, and half with pineapples.  I have to say that it was absolutely delicious.

What About You?  What are your favorite pizza toppings?  What do you think about homemade pizza?

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