| For anyone who loves pizza, learning to make their | | | | a minute. Knead the dough by hand or with a dough |
| own at home is a major step forward. While | | | | hook on the mixer until the dough is elastic and smooth. |
| restaurant pizza may be good, homemade pizza can | | | | This takes about 10 minutes. Add more flour if the |
| be great! Moreover, despite what you may believe, | | | | dough is too wet. |
| making your own pizza is easy. | | | | Place your dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning the |
| Not only can you create the gourmet pizza of your | | | | dough so it gets coated in oil. Cover the bowl with |
| dreams at home, it will save you a lot of money. Think | | | | plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place until it doubles |
| of the cost of getting takeout pizza over the course | | | | in size. This may take about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. After |
| of a year... most pizza restaurants charge around $16 | | | | rising, you can use the dough or freeze it for future |
| for a hot, fresh pizza. If you had pizza twice a month | | | | use. |
| for a year (assuming you only need one pizza each | | | | If you have a pizza stone, warm it in the oven as it |
| time), you would still be spending $384 per year on | | | | preheats to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| pizza alone. Double that if you have kids and need a | | | | Remove the plastic cover from the pizza dough and |
| minimum of two pizzas each time. Why not make | | | | punch it down so it deflates. Divide the dough ball in |
| them at home and save money? | | | | half, forming two round balls. Place each ball in its own |
| Recipe for Homemade Pizza | | | | oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let them sit for |
| What You Need | | | | 10 minutes. |
| - 1-1/2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F) | | | | Get your toppings ready. Try not to overdo your |
| - 1 package active dry yeast | | | | toppings or your crust will end up soft. |
| - 3-1/2 cups bread flour | | | | Take one ball of dough and flatten it with your hands |
| - 2 Tablespoons olive oil | | | | on a floured surface. Begin in the center and work out |
| - 2 teaspoons salt | | | | towards the edges. You want the dough to end up |
| - 1 teaspoon sugar | | | | about 1/2 inch thick. Turn the dough and stretch it until it |
| - Olive oil | | | | will not stretch any more. Let the dough relax for 5 |
| - Cornmeal | | | | minutes, then continue until your pizza dough is the size |
| - Tomato sauce | | | | you want. Pinch the edges if you want a lip to form on |
| - Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, shredded | | | | the crust. |
| - Mushrooms, thinly sliced | | | | Brush the top with olive oil. Make dents with your |
| - Bell peppers, seeded and sliced | | | | fingers along the surface to prevent bubbling during |
| - Pepperoni, thinly sliced | | | | cooking. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Repeat |
| How to Make It | | | | dough preparation with the second dough ball. |
| To make the dough, put the warm water in the bowl | | | | Sprinkle cornmeal on your pizza stone. Lay out your |
| of an electric mixer. Sprinkle the yeast into the water | | | | pizza dough and quickly cover the pizza with a little |
| and let it sit for a few minutes so the yeast dissolves. | | | | tomato sauce. Add your toppings and bake for 10 to |
| Stir if needed. | | | | 15 minutes. Let the pizza rest for a couple of minutes |
| Mix in the olive oil, salt, sugar, and flour on low for about | | | | after baking before you slice it. Enjoy! |