DIY Pizza ☺

Dough Ingredients:

1/2 tsp dry yeast
6 ounces lukewarm water
8 ounces bread flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp olive oil

Optional ingredients:

1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Pizza:

1/2 cup pizza sauce

Toppings (see notes)

2 - 3 ounces meat
1-1/2 cups vegetables
1 tsp dried herbs/spices or 2 tbsp fresh herbs
4 ounces grated cheese

Making the Pizza Dough

In a small cup or bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Set the bowl aside.

In a medium-sized glass bowl, mix together the flour and the salt. If desired, stir in any or all of the optional ingredients.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Stir the yeast and water, then pour it in the well in the flour mixture. Stir the flour into the liquid, pushing the flour from the edge of the bowl to the center. Continue mixing until a ball of dough forms.

Lightly flour a board. Turn the dough onto the floured board. Scrape the bowl with a spatula to remove all of the dough. Knead the dough, working up to an additional 1/4 cup of flour into it. Knead until the dough is smooth, and only slightly sticky. Shape the dough into a ball.

Add the olive oil to the bottom of glass bowl. Tilt the bowl and swirl the oil up the sides of the bowl. Take the ball of dough and place it upside down in the bowl. Move the ball around to completely coat it with oil, and turn it right side up. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it rise for 4 to 6 hours.

Baking the Pizza

After the dough has risen, punch it down, and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Place a pizza stone or pan in the oven, and heat the oven to 425° F.

After the dough has rested, lightly flour a board, and pat the dough into a 14-inch circle. Sprinkle cornmeal on a pizza peel, and transfer the dough to the peel.

Spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce on the dough. Add your favorite toppings and grated cheeses. Use the peel to transfer the pizza to the pizza pan or stone.

Bake for 14 to 16 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let stand for 1 minute. Cut into 8 slices and serve immediately.

Notes:

Use toppings sparingly, one or two meats, two or three veggies, some herbs, and a couple of cheeses.

Topping Suggestions:

Meat:

Cooked Sausage
Cooked chicken, cubed
Pulled barbecued pork
Pepperoni
Black bean burger
Sautéed Tempeh
Sautéed firm tofu

Veggies:

Caramelized onions
Sliced onions
Sliced bell peppers
Sliced jalapeños
Sliced marinated artichokes (drained)
Sliced green or black olives
Sundried tomatoes
Broccoli florets
Cauliflower florets
Leaf spinach
Chopped Garlic
Capers

Herbs and spices:

Dried or Fresh Oregano
Fresh Basil
Black Pepper, coarsely ground
Taco seasoning
Garam masala

Cheeses:

Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Gruyere cheese
Ementhaler cheese
Cheddar cheese
Feta cheese
Paneer