Homemade Pizza (and Sauce)

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We love homemade pizza.  It is quite easy to make and everyone gets exactly what they want.  Here is a great crust recipe we enjoy.  Make sure to mix the crust early in the morning or the day before as it requires TIME to sit.

2 C. 00 flour
⅛  t. Yeast
½ t.  Sugar
1 ¼ t. Salt
¾ C. warm water

Mix all together ( we use our hands) until the flour is wet.  This will be a messy mix.  Cover with a kitchen towel and let set aside in a non-drafty space for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.  The longer the dough sits, the yummier the pizza.

After the dough has sat, make one big pizza or divide into two sections to make two 10-12” pizzas. On a floured piece of parchment paper, spread dough with your hands to make a pizza crust.  Make whatever shape you want.  Take your time to slowly stretch the dough and try to leave a slight raised edge.

Add your pizza toppings.

Bake on the parchment paper on a pizza stone warmed to 500 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

Tips:

  • If you do not own a pizza stone, use a cast iron pan.
  • To slide the pizza onto the stone, place the pizza on the underside of a cookie sheet and slide it onto the stone or into the pan.
  • Do not overcook.  Lift up the button of the pizza to check for brown.
  • Sprinkle a small amount of parmesan cheese on the crust before adding toppings.
  • Add a little salt and pepper before adding toppings.
  • If using basil, place it on the pizza after it comes out of the oven.
  • It is easy to go overboard with the toppings.
  • Smoked mozzarella is really good on a pizza.

Make your own sauce by sauteing 2-3 cloves minced garlic, 1 t. Dried Oregano, 1 t. Dried parsley in 1T. butter plus 1T. olive oil until fragrant.  Add 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes (previously blended until very finely chopped), a pinch of sugar, a few stalks of fresh basil and one onion cut in half.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a slow simmer.  Simmer until sauce is cut in half, about 2 hours.  Remove onion and basil.

Thanks to King Arthur Flour for the crust recipe.