Pizza

Pizza!!!

First of all, it is very important for pizza crust to be pre-baked before placing toppings otherwise crusts tend to be soggy and not cooked through. Pre-bake readied crusts for 7-8 minutes at around 450; crusts should be just turning golden brown. Place toppings on this barely golden browned crust and then re-bake another 7-8 minutes.

Some Favorites:

Ranch Pizza: top pre-baked crust with homemade ranch dressing made thicker than usual, browned chicken cubes, fresh tomatoes and sliced green onions. Top with plenty of mozarella cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

BBQ Chicken Pizza: Mix even parts barbeque sauce and pizza sauce then spread over pre-baked crust. Top with some mozarella cheese, chunks of cooked chicken, fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, crisped bacon, and chunked pineapple. Put more cheese on top!

Cordon Bleu Pizza: top pre-baked crust with jarred alfredo sauce, sliced swiss cheese, cubed ham and thawed/breaded chicken tenders that have been cut into bite sized tenders. Sprinkle with plenty of mozarella cheese and garlic salt and pepper.

Traditional Hawaiian Pizza: top pre-baked crust with pizza sauce, mozarella, pineapple and lots of canadian bacon.

No Rise Pizza Dough

Thick crust at its best!

1 cup scalded milk, cooled slightly
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2-3 cups flour

Scald milk in microwave - two minutes should do it and you should see the film on top when you pull a knife through it. Set aside for ten to fifteen minutes so it will cool slightly and not to kill the yeast. Mix sugar, oil, yeast and salt into the cooled milk. Add the flour slowly until the dough is sticky, but pulling away from the edges of the bowl. Knead 2-3 minutes in bowl then softly on a lightly floured surface. Divide in two then press onto two prepared pizza pans (rounds will be thicker crust than rectangle cookie sheets, but both work. Bake in an oven preheated to 400 for 8 minutes so dough will start to cook before toppings to avoid soggy dough. Top with sauce, cheese, toppings then more cheese. Bake another 8-10 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Pizza Dough
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons  oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 3 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in water with sugar. Set aside for 5 - 10 minutes to soften. Stir in salt, oil and flour. Knead 5 minutes; dough should be smooth. Cover and allow to rise to double (about 1 hour). Punch down and rest 5 minutes. Roll onto two pizza pans.



Melanie's 10 Year Pizza Dough
2 teaspoons yeast
1 cup  warm water
1 teaspoon honey
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil

In small bowl combine yeast with 1/4 cup of the warm water and honey. Allow it to stand and soften for 5-10 minutes. In mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, herbs and seasoning. With mixture running on low, pour in yeast mixture, remaining 3/4 cup water and olive oil. Continue mixing until cohesive. Remove to floured counter and knead 2-3 minutes. Place in prepared bowl; cover and let rise 30 minutes. Divide into 2 family-sized pizzas or 4 personal-sized ones. Roll out and place on prepared pans. Rise 10 minutes. Pre-bake crusts for 7 minutes at 475. Remove and top with sauce, cheese, toppings and more cheese. Finish baking 
7 - 10 more minutes.