Simple Pizza Dough
Posted by medfordgardener about 1 year ago
Some days I'm in the mood for a delicious pizza crust, and I'm willing to spend the time to go through a lengthy rising process. Other days, I just don't have the time in my schedule too leisurely do this. On those occassions, I whip up this quick and easy pizza dough, and I have my tasty calzone or pie in less than 40 minutes.
Here's what I do:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package of yeast
- 2 cups flour (a mix of white and wheat is nice)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: herbs or garlic to flavor (oregano and parsley make a nice mix) Fillings of choice
Stir the yeast in warm water and let dissolve for five minutes. Meanwhile, place oven on warm, and mix flour, sugar, salt and herbs (if desired) in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and stir in oil and water/yeast mixture. This will make a sticky dough.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until soft, semi-elastic, and no longer sticky. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, and put in warmed oven. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 15 or 20 minutes.
Prepare your fillings. I suggest italian sausage (precooked), raw broccoli florets, cheese and a small amount of pasta sauce and garlic. When the dough has risen, punch down and divide. Dough will make two small round pizzas or three very large calzones. Heat oven to 425. Roll each piece of dough into a flat circle, about 1/2 an inch thick. Spread pasta sauce and garlic on one half, leaving a border around it. Layer cheese, broccoli and sausage, and fold over open half. Pinch down to seal, and prick air holes with a knife.
Place on a lightly corn-mealed pizza stone in a preheated oven. Calzones cook in about 12-15 minutes. Serve topped with warm pasta sauce and parmesian cheese. Enjoy!
