Homemade Pizza Dough

Pizza Sundays still going strong.  Seems like pizza combinations are endless.  This must be why people like pizza.  Well that and carbs.  

I bought my yeast from Costco because it was super cheap there.  A big bag was under $5.  After all this yeast baking I have barely made a dent in the bag.  Such a great bargain.  The bag is Red Star Yeast.  I have only tried one other brand before hand.  I am not sure if it was me or the brand but it was not successful.  So looks like I am going to stick with Red Star.  That and did I mention I have barely made a dent in my Costco size bag of yeast?

We tried our hand at carbonara pizza.  After some arguing and researching this is what El Husbee and I came up with.  Not bad for our first try.  Actually it was bomb.  

Homemade Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoon Red Star yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour, you will need more to roll out the dough
• sprinkle of cornmeal

Directions:

1. Whisk the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer.  Cover and rest for 10 minutes.  When you uncover the bowl the yeast and water should look frothy.  
2. Add the olive oil, salt, and flour to the bowl.  Attach the bowl to the stand mixer and use a dough hook.  Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  With floured hands, knead the dough for 3-4 minutes.  After kneading, the dough should feel soft and bounces back when you poke it.  If not, keep kneading.  The dough should also not stick to your hands. 
3. Grease a large bowl with non stick spray.  Please the dough in the bowl.  Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean towel.  Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until double in size.  (I have started in the mid morning and used it to make dinner)  
4. Preheat oven to 475F.  Cover baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.  The cornmeal is optional but very yummy.  
5. When the dough is ready (has doubled in size), punch it down to release any air bubbles.  (The kids love this part.)  Divide the dough in half or smaller if you want to make individual size pizzas.  If you are only making 1 pizza, freeze the other half of the dough in a freezer ziploc bag.  On a floured surface with floured hands and rolling pin, gently flatten the dough into a disc or shape that you would like.  Place on prepared pan.  
6. Using your fingers, push dents into the dough to prevent bubbling (the kids love this part).  To prevent the fillings from making your pizza crust soggy, spray the top lightly with non stick spray.  Top with your favorite sauce and toppings.  Bake for 12-15 minutes.  
7. Slice hot pizza and serve immediately.  

I am sure we will end up buying pizza sooner or later.  But right now we are enjoying our hand at our homemade pizzas.  

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO