Homemade Pizza Crust

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.