I’ve made pizza every Friday of my daughter’s life. At first it was to celebrate getting through another week with a newborn. Eventually she was eating solid food and learned to appreciate the culinary joy of stretching molten mozzarella and nibbling crispy pepperoni.
Now it is time for a confession. It used to be all homemade. I would rush home from work to start proofing the dough and simmering the sauce. And then I discovered that the fresh sauce and dough in the refrigerator section of our Trader Joe’s wasn’t half bad and works in a pinch. I alternate between homemade and store bought depending on my energy level and time. At the end of the day, the important thing is being able to nosh on a slice hot from the oven.
Ingredients for Pizza Dough
4 cups bread flour 2 teaspoon rapid-rise yeast 1 ½ teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 ¾ cup warm water
Instructions for Pizza Dough
Pulse the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor to combine.
With the processor running, pour in the oil and then the water through a feed tube and process until a ball forms, about 30-40 seconds.
Let rest 2 minutes, then process for 30 seconds more.
Turn the dough out onto floured counter and knead by hand to form smooth, round ball, about 5 minutes. You can add an additional 1/4 cup flour as needed to prevent sticking. Transfer to oiled bowl and cover.
Let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
At this point, divide the dough into separate balls for as many pizzas as you’d like to make. It can be one very large, or two small or four very small pizzas.
Roll out on a floured surface and pinch the edges up for a crust.
Place on a greased baking sheet(s) and add sauce and toppings.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees and bake until pizza is puffed and golden brown and cheese is melted with brown spots, about 25 minutes. My more daring husband slides the pizza off the pan halfway through to finish baking directly on the rack. Do this at your own considerable risk.
Ingredients for Pizza Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes Salt and pepper Dried oregano and basil (optional, to taste)
Instructions for Pizza Sauce
Cook the oil and garlic together in a medium saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes.
Stir in tomatoes and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, basil and oregano to taste.
Notes
Toppings we like: pepperoni, red onion, and green pepper. Sausage and spinach (add spinach halfway through the baking time).
If you are feeling decadent, try a supreme with pepperoni, sausage, onion, green pepper and olives.
Sometimes I do a fancy veggie with sliced garlic, corn, broccoli, and green peppers. I sprinkle it with cilantro when it comes out of the oven.
You can also top a plain cheese with basil leaves when you take the pizza out of the oven. Really good black olives are optional.