Homemade Pizza

Years ago, a friend gave me his recipe for pizza dough, and it was good.  I made it so often that I started messing with the recipe to bring it to what it is now.  It's really good and you should try it!  I don't mix by hand, after all, that's why God has provided the Kitchen Aid mixer!  Enjoy!

Pizza Dough

6 cups King Arthur Bread Flour (Trust me, this IS the best flour for the job although, King Arthur All-Purpose will work in a pinch)
2 cups lukewarm water
2 T instant yeast
1 T good olive oil
1 t sugar
1 t salt

1. Spray the dough hook with cooking spray or oil it up; this will keep the dough from sticking to the hook too much.

2.  Into the Kitchen Aid Mixer bowl, place 2 cups lukewarm water, 2 T (yes TABLESPOONS) instant yeast, 1 t sugar.  Mix gently and let sit for 15 minutes or so.

3.  Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, turn the mixer on, add the olive oil and salt, then begin adding the flour 1 cup at a time.

4. Continue adding the flour until the dough ball forms and the sides of the mixer bowl begin to look clean, see picture below.

 5.  Let the mixer do what it does best for about 5 minutes or so;  When the dough is not sticky, but springy to the touch, it's ready to remove from the bowl.

6.  Place the dough ball on a lightly floured surface.  Form it into a nice ball and let it rest for 10 minutes.

7.  Spray a large bowl with cooking spray or oil it; add the dough ball to the bowl and cover.

 8.  Allow the dough to double in size then punch it down.

9.  Allow the dough to rise a second time;

10.  The dough is ready to use  OR you can portion it out into small dough balls and freeze it for later use.



 Pizza Sauce:

1.  Into a pot, place one large can of crushed tomatoes, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 T olive oil, 2 T romano cheese and salt/pepper to taste.  Cook on low just until heated through.

Making the Pie:

1.  Place a dough ball onto a lightly floured surface;  work it into a pizza shell with your hands, or roll it out with a rolling pin.

2.  Place pizza crust on a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.

3.  Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

4.  Bake on a pizza stone for 7 minutes at 500 degrees.

5.  Enjoy!