So, this looks a little overwhelming, but it only takes about 15 minutes of actual work. It gets really easy after the 1st one. And believe me, once you taste it, you'll kick yourself for ever ordering a pizza before. Comment with any questions!
Yield: This makes one 12-inch pizza with medium to thick crust.
Equipment: You need a pizza pan, a large bowl, a small bowl, a fork, a wooden spoon, a large metal spoon, and measuring cup & spoons.
Dough ingredients:
2.5 cups flour
1/2 pack of INSTANT yeast
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pizza seasoning (or dried basil) (optional)
3 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water (approx)
Sauce ingredients:
5 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp pizza seasoning (or dried basil)
Toppings:
shredded mozzarella, or a mix of cheeses (feta is a good one to add a little of)
Anything else you'd like (remember "less is more")
Procedure:
(Dough)
Tip: Make the dough the day before, or about an hour before you want to eat. If you make it the day before, put it in the fridge in some loose plastic wrap - remember it'll expand. Take out of the fridge 45 min before you want to cook it so it is room temp.
1) In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients well with a fork.
2) Drizzle the olive oil over mixture and use a wooden spoon (your new best friend) to mix (doesn't have to be mixed well).
3) Add water 1/2 cup at a time, mixing with wooden spoon after each addition. Repeat until the dough becomes a wad that is a bit sticky, but clears the sides of the bowl.
4) Flour counter or large cutting board. Flour your hands. Knead dough for about 4 min. (Until it bounces back slowly after touched)
6) Cover with a dusting of flour and put back into large bowl to proof. Cover bowl with dry towel and place in warm area of house.
Let sit for 1 hour.
8) Preheat oven to about 400 degrees F.
7) After an hour, punch down the dough to let the air out. Take out of bowl and knead for about 1 minute. Make into ball.
8) Use rolling pin to flatten the dough, creating a circle as big as you'd like your pizza to be. Flour bottom and place on pizza pan. Curl up edges to create your crust.
9) Set aside.
(Sauce)
1) In a small bowl, mix tomato paste and pizza seasoning.
2) Pour onto middle of your pizza dough. Use a large spoon to spread it relatively evenly.
(Toppings)
1) Sprinkle on cheese
2) Put anything else you'd like onto your pizza. (white onions and mushrooms are delicious)
COOK:
1) Cook on bottom rack for about 7-10 minutes (Keep and eye on it, and use your own judgment. Pizzas cook faster or slower depending on humidity, etc.)
2) Take out and let cool for 2 minutes. Cut and enjoy!!!!