Pizza

This makes a yummy lunch or dinner. We make homemade pizza dough and top it with all kinds of different things. The kids love a traditional style pizza but you can make several varieties that aren't so traditional. I'll break this post into the parts of the pizza.

The Dough:
To keep it healthy we use whole wheat flour. (note* whole wheat pastry flour does NOT work because this is a yeast dough.) I usually use just a little less flour when making whole wheat dough. The recipes below are measured for white flour. When using whole wheat, add the last cup slowly until the dough is the right texture. I usually don't use all of it. If you get it too dry, just add some water (tbsp at a time) while mixing till it's right. You can divide the dough into two balls which will make two 6 in. pizzas or make one large pizza with all of the dough.

You can add seasonings to your dough which make it a little more flavorful and gourmet. We've tried adding some of the following with success: parmesan cheese, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano, italian seasoning, shredded cheese, etc.

The Sauce:
Try using a variety of sauce each time you make pizza to change it up from time to time....pesto sauce, alfredo sauce, melted butter and garlic, brush olive oil on your pizza dough and sprinkle with garlic, try out brushing with italian dressing/balsamic vinaigrette, BBQ sauce, different marinara sauces with different ingredients like mushrooms, peppers, chunky tomato, etc.

The Cheese:
If you buy skim milk low moisture mozzarella (which is about the only way you can buy it grated) then your cheese won't melt so well on your pizza...nor does it taste as good. Look for a ball of whole milk mozzarella. It might still be low moisture but it will taste ten times better and it will melt nice even on your pizza. Grating this ball can be difficult so I suggest slicing it. Lay the slices on your pizza and it will melt nicely. You can also use other cheese for a different taste...like feta, parmesan, goat cheeses, brie, etc.

Variations on toppings:
olives, spinach leaves (high in iron!), sliced tomatoes, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, roasted chicken, baked potato slices, chives, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, ground turkey seasoned with anise seed for a healthy alternative to sausage, pepperoni, ham, pineapple, chopped or minced garlic, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and anything else that sounds good to you! =0)

It's a good idea to place a few cheese slices on the top of the toppings to help hold the toppints together.

Quick Pizza Dough

1 tbsp yeast

1 cup warm water

Dissolve yeast in warm water

Add

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp veg. oil or olive oil

2 1/2 cups flour

Mix well till dough ball forms. Dump onto floured counter. Knead till smooth. Divide into two at this point for two 6 in. pizzas. Press into round circle. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 min.