Monday, June 20, 2011

Pizza! Easy Homemade Crust


When I was married to a man of Sicilian/Greek descent, it was expected that I learn to cook these ethnic foods. My then husband had a job that ended at midnight or thereafter, and looked forward to either homemade pasta or pizza. It has been a while ago that I had these duties. We are no longer married. But I never gave up the love of creating my own bread and pizza crust. Although this is not my recipe, this one comes closest from Cooks.com:

Ingredients:
4 cups bread or all purpose flour (white)
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 packet active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil (any good brand), but extra virgin is best
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar, or 1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup of milk or water

In a measuring cup, add the 1 1/4 cups of very warm water, yeast and honey or sugar. Stir and wait about 5 minutes for it to get bubbly (proofing). 

Add the flour and salt to your mixing bowl, making a well in the center. Next mix the yeast water and milk to the bowl along with 2 tbsp. of olive oil. If you have an electric mixer with a dough hook this is easier. Otherwise start kneading with your clean hands for about 8 or nine minutes until you get a smooth dough ball, like a baby's behind. :o) You may need to add more liquid or more flour depending on your dough.
Oil a large bowl and place the ball of dough in it and cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm spot. (like in the sunlight) for 30 minutes to an hour to rise.

Once it has risen, punch down and divide in two pieces. Take one ball and flatten into a circle or shape to a pan that it will be baked in. Be sure to sprinkle the pan with cornmeal to keep from sticking or use oil. Spread some olive oil on the top of the crust.

For my toppings, I caramelized some onions and added them onto the crust. Then I added some sliced yellow pepper:


The fun thing about pizza is that you can put almost anything that you like on it. I had some plum tomatoes that I needed to use, so I sliced them cross ways and drained them on a paper towel to remove the juice. (don't want a soggy pizza)

See how pretty this looks and fresh!


I grow fresh basil on my patio because I love it and it adds so much flavor and color!



Cheese is a must for us providing calcium...or at least, that's my excuse!

Bake at 450 degrees for approximately 12 to 14 minutes, all ovens are different.
Cut and enjoy!


I hope you try this, my friends! Have a wonderful week!

♥charlotte

8 comments:

Donna said...

This looks delicious! I'll give it a try! Thanks for the recipe!
hughugs

Gail Dixon said...

Oh yum! This looks so good!! I am coming off of three days of behaving badly (diet-wise) so this week I am trying to get back on track. These photos are not helping! :)

hootnonny said...

Yummy looking pizza, Charlotte. I'll think about it as I drive through Pizza Hut to buy a large ready-made Pepperoni for $5!
You have to be an excellent cook!

Tricia said...

Oh, this looks yummy...I love pizza :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Charlotte,
Now I'm hungry! lol This looks totally delicious!!
XO
Cindy

Barbara said...

I just ate and now I'm starving again! Yum!

Jil Casey said...

Yum! Your pizza looks great!

Anne said...

Wow, it looks scrumptious! My favorite ingredients, and the melted cheese is making me so hungry....