Basic Pizza Dough
Makes 1 10-12 inch round pizza
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups bread flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp rapid rise dried yeast
1/2 - 2/3 cups lukewarm water
1 tbsp olive oil
Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the yeast. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the water and oil and mix with a spoon to a soft dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for about one hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Punch down the dough. Turn on to a floured surface and knead again for 2-3 minutes. Roll out as required and place on a greased baking sheet. Pinch up the dough to make a rim. The dough is now ready for topping.
Tomato Sauce
Enough to cover 1 10-12 inch pizza
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 14 oz. can chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp chopped mixed herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme, and basil
pinch of sugar
salt and black pepper
Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and garlic and gently saute for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, sugar, and seasoning. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes or until the tomatoes have reduced to a thick pulp. Let cool.
Favorite Toppings
Have on hand shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped veggies, pepperoni, and cooked ground beef or whatever you so desire. Spread the cooled sauce on the prepared crust. Sprinkle with toppings and cheeses. Cook at 425 degrees until crust is brown and cheeses are bubbly...about 20-25 minutes. Enjoy...along with a competitive game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey!
