Pizza Revisited

I love pizza, don't you?  When Steve was in college had it not been for frozen pizzas I think the boy would have starved to death.  I probably would have too for that matter; we ate A LOT of pizza!  I love ordering pizza from time to time - usually when I'm in a "no cooking" mood or when we've been busy all day and I forgot to plan something for dinner.  I really enjoy going out to a pizza pub on campus

called Pazzo's (we only live about 20 minutes from The University of Kentucky) and once in a while, when we're really craving a good pizza we'll drive there.  However, most times when we want pizza I make it at home.  I never knew how simple homemade pizza could be until I tried it.  Have I mentioned how cheap it is?

Depending on what toppings you like,you can make a pizza for less than $5.00.  You can't go out or have one delivered for that price...actually, you can't buy a "good" frozen pizza for that price either.  And trust me, the homemade ones are much better than delivery or frozen.  When I make a batch of the sauce, it usually lasts 3-4 pizzas, the mozzarella cheese I use will go for 2 pizzas, the pepperoni will make 4-5 pizzas, and when I make the dough, I make enough for 4 pizzas (I double the original recipe).  The most expensive item is the mozzarella cheese but often I have a coupon because my store sends me coupons for the items I buy most often :) YAY!

Since summer is almost over, my basil plants are starting to show signs of their departure but I can't stand the thought of wasting their produce, so I decided to collect some and freeze it.  I've never frozen any herbs before, so we'll see how it turns out.  I decided to use a little bit on the pizza I made the other night for dinner.  It was one of those things I chose not to tell Steve, because if I had, he probably would have turned his nose up and said something like, "Why did you have to go and ruin a perfectly good pizza?" Instead, after devouring his first slice (we aren't the most proper of people when eating) he asked, "Hey, what's this little green stuff?" He didn't seem to mind the basil, in fact he said he couldn't really taste it...not sure how that was the case.  I thought the basil gave the pie a little something special.

I also changed the sauce just a bit.  I had bought a can of fire-roasted tomatoes awhile back and had been trying to figure out what to use them for (please note I no longer purchase things without already having a recipe in mind because that's when I normally end up wasting money).  The sauce was good and if the fire-roasted tomatoes are on sale again, I'll get them.


The recipe for the dough and sauce are found on this post.  Like I said, I just used fire-roasted tomatoes instead of whole tomatoes.  I also don't measure the dried oregano- I just keep adding it in until I like the taste, same goes for the salt and pepper of course.  I hope you'll give homemade pizza a try! Your tummies and your wallets will thank you :)

Pizza

I forgot to take a picture before eating the first piece, opps!

I always thought homemade pizza was really hard and time consuming, so I never tried it. I was WRONG! So, very very wrong! - And, I couldn't be happier.  I made the pizza dough the night before, tossed one in the freezer for later and the other in the refrigerator until the next evening.  I made the pizza sauce while the oven was preheating (it look longer for me to gather the ingredients from the pantry than it took to actually make). I love pepperoni so I kept the toppings simple with those and fresh mozzarella.   

You can be so creative when it comes to pizza: meats, veggies, fruits, whatever you like you just toss on top and enjoy after baking. Now that I know how fast and easy this is, we will be having many pizza nights at our home.  The best part about this pizza wasn't how simple it was to make but that it's cheaper and better than delivery pizza!! If you don't believe me, please TRY to prove me wrong by making your own. I'll even pay for your next delivery pizza if you don't agree ;)

Perfect circles are over-rated :)

Pizza Dough
Source: Annie's Eats
Printable Recipe
(makes enough for 2 pizzas)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm water
1 envelope instant yeast
4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 water, room temp
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Measure warm water into a 2 cup liquid measuring cup, then add yeast.  In the bowl of your stand mixer (using paddle attachment), combine bread flour with salt and mix briefly to blend. 
Measure the room temp. water into the measuring cup with the yeast/water mixture.  With your stand mixer on low speed, add the yeast/water mixture and olive oil. 
Mix until dough is formed.
Change paddle attachment to kneading hook and knead on low speed until smooth and elastic, this takes about 5 minutes. 
Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, turn the dough once to coat.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size


Deflate the dough by pressing down with your hands.  Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. 
Divide the dough into two equal pieces.  Form each piece into a smooth ball. If you are only making once pizza, wrap the other dough ball in plastic and freeze.
Cover with damp cloth and let dough relax 10 minutes, no longer than 30 minutes.

To bake, preheat oven and pizza stone (if using) 500 degrees F for at least 30 minutes.  If not using a pizza stone, you don't need to preheat this long (I didn't use a pizza stone). 
Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and shape into circle or rectangle (or any shape you like). 
Brush outer edge with a little olive oil
Add your desired toppings and bake 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. 


*I also turned the broiler on the last 2 minutes to crisp my cheese and pepperonis
** You don't HAVE to have a stand mixer, this can all be done the old fashioned way, BY HAND! Heck, kneading is actually kinda fun ;)


Pizza Sauce
Source: What Megan's Making
Printable Recipe 

Ingredients:
1 (28oz) can whole, peeled tomatoes, drained (toss the liquid)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp red wine vinegar
2-4 garlic cloves, minced (depending on your love of garlic)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients in food processor (or blender) except tomato paste and process bout 30 seconds, until smooth.  Add tomato paste to thicken sauce if desired.
Refrigerate until ready for use

I like a good, cheesy, MESSY piece

 Hope everyone has an amazing weekend! GO CATS, we are playing UCONN in the final four tonight :)