Homemade Pizza

Who: You/you and your loved one/ you and some friends

What: A healthy but comforting meal

When: During the week or a relaxing Friday/Saturday night in

Where: Your place

Why: You’ve had a long week and you’re looking for a quick and simple recipe to make

So….It’s Friday night (we’ll use Friday in this scenario).  You’ve worked some long hours, made it to the gym x amount of times (great job!), crossed items off your to do list . . .  and you’re exhausted.  What sounds good to you right now is getting into some comfortable clothes, inviting friends over, cooking up a healthy dish (one in which you can also splurge on) and popping in a movie.

That healthy dish you’re thinking of is . . . Pizza? Why not go for some Homemade Pizza?  It’s simple and completely satisfies those taste buds. 

Dough ingredients:

1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)

1 package active dry yeast

3 cups of whole wheat flour

Drop of olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

Cornmeal (optional – to slide pizza dough onto pizza stone or baking sheet)

Pizza ingredients:

Tomato sauce

Shredded mozzeralla and or parmesean cheese

Peppers (green, red, yellow and or orange)

Mushrooms (thinly sliced)

Onions

Kale

Basil

Oregano

Garlic Salt

Making the Pizza Dough:

1.     Dissolve yeast in warm water for about 5 minutes (you’ll see bubbles forming).  Make sure water is not hot.  Hot water will kill the yeast.  

2.     In large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, sugar.  Add water and yeast and stir forming a ball. Add water or more flour if necessary. 

3.     Place dough on floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.

4.     Place in oiled bowl and cover with towel.  Let sit for roughly 1-2 hours until the dough has doubled in size.

5.     Turn dough onto floured surface and roll with rolling pin into desired shape and thickness. Keep hands floured from sticking to dough.

6.     Sprinkle stone or baking sheet with cornmeal and transfer dough over.

Cooking Pizza

1.     Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2.     Add tomato sauce, herbs, toppings and cheese (in your desired order)

3.     Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is slightly brown

4.     Remove from oven, let cool and slice

Total time (prep and cook time): 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours

Enjoy!