Thanks to our friend's kind invitation to dinner and the amazing Pizza spread Dan prepared I was inspired once again to try to make my own pizza. Ever since Papa Johns started their $5.99/Large Monday night special, Homemade pizza has been an endangered recipe. So one day when Chloe wanted pizza I called up Papa Johns and they told me it would be an hour before they could deliver. I realized this was my chance to make homemade pizza. Much to my disappointment no one ate my pizza with a smiling face (I had tried to make a healthy crust with whole wheat). I ended up throwing most of it in the garbage. :( Then yesterday I was reading my sister-in-law's handy blog and was reminded by her "Shout Out" about my pizza crust recipe that I had once been an excellent pizza maker and was excited to give it another try. The funny thing is, I had completely forgotten about this recipe and now my family is once again eating my homemade pizza with a smile. Thanks "M"!
PIZZA CRUST
1 cup warm water
1 Tbs dry-active yeast*
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs canola oil
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour
optional: 1/3 cup ground flax seed (I added it today and it does not compromise the flavor at all!)
In a medium size bowl pour water and add yeast allow to proof for 5 minutes.**
Add remaining ingredients.
Mix until well blended.
Knead dough for 3-5 minutes.
Place dough in well oiled bowl and rise for 20 minutes.
Heat oven to 375 F.
If using a baking stone place stone in oven while preheating.
Roll out dough to desired size.
Makes: 1 X-Large pizza or 1 Medium and 1 small depending on desired crust thickness.
Place crust on baking stone then add the sauce, toppings and cheese.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and browning a bit on top.
*--I also sometimes use quick yeast, and then half the raising time.
**-if using quick rise yeast, no need for proofing. Mix all the ingredients in at once.
