Snow Day Pizza!

My Prince and son will be out today working hard plowing, snowblowing and shoveling.  They do it all out of the kindness of their hearts … no monitary compensation, just the satisfaction of knowing they have done a good deed. 

So today as they brave the cold, I'll be in the Kitchen … making my homemade pizza for them.  

Grab your aprons and join me today making this fabulous treat!

Dough 

• 3.5 cups all purpose flour (bread flour will give you a crispier crust) plus extra 
• 1 teaspoon sugar 
• 1 package of active yeast 
• 1.5 cups warm water (105-115 degrees)
• 2 teaspoons salt 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil plus extra

Instructions 

• In a large mixture (I use a KitchenAide *love it!*) pour warm water, add yeast and let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve, you may have to stir it a touch after 5 minutes to finish to dissolving process. 
• Add olive oil, sugar, salt and flour and mix for about a minute with standard mixing paddle. 
• Remove paddle and replace with kneading hook, knead for 10 minutes.  If you dough is sloppy add a little more flour 
• Coat glass bowl with olive oil add roll dough in bowl, creating a ball completely covered with oil 
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 1.5 hours, the dough should double in size.
• While the dough is rising make your sauce!

Sauce 

• one can of tomato sauce 8 oz can 
• one can of tomato paste 6 oz can
• one small onion chopped  or about 1/2 cup
• clove garlic 
• bay left
• dried oregano, about a teaspoon* 
• dried basil, about a teaspoon* 
• salt, about a half teaspoon* 
• two heaping tablespoons of Molasses (I love a sweet sauce!)
• olive oil 
• butter about tablespoon*
• *I say 'about' because I never measure these!  I've always done this by taste!

Instructions 

• In a large skillet over medium heat melt and blend with oil (couple tablespoons)
• Sauté onion and garlic until soft and smelling amazing!
• Reduce heat to medium low 
• Add tomato sauce and paste, stir until well blended 
• Bring to a simmer, I like to let this simmer for half hour … really infuses the flavor!
• Remove bay leaf … and your sauce is ready for that fabulous crust!

Finishing your crust and the topping …. 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees … 
• Punch down the your dough and divide into two balls, and placed on a floured surface.
• Let balls rest for 10 minutes or so
• Working one ball at a time stretch and work dough into desired shape, if the dough is fighting you a bit let it rest for a few minutes. 
• I like to bake my pizza on cookie sheets…. so I brush my cookie sheet with just a little bit of olive oil use this sparingly!
• Sprinkle a little corn meal … in a pinch I've used additional flour 
• Place on cookie sheet and brush top of the dough with oil 
• Let rest while you make prepare your second ball 
• Spread sauce over dough … less is more here, too much sauce makes for a very soggy pizza!
• Finish off with desired cheese topping … I like Mozzarella & fresh shredded Parmesan they are a fabulous combo
• Add your additional toppings … and finish with a light additional layer of cheese 
• Bake 10-15 minutes … this number will fluctuate depending on how thick your crust is, when sauce is bubbling and your crust is golden its done … 

Enjoy ….