It has been a LONG two months since I've posted, but I am back!!!
With the busy rush of holidays and my last semester of school, keeping up with my blog had become a challenge. With a new goal set that I am aiming to post at least once a week, I hope I can continue to inspire and share all my ideas and passions around food!
Here is my latest discovery...
The Very Best Homemade Pizza
Ahhh, pizza.
Probably my most guilty pleasure.
I know my pizza doesn't look the prettiest, but for my first attempt I have to say it's alright. The flavor is what REALLY matters here, and let me tell you, from the dough to the sauce and all the toppings, this pizza is the bee's knees. Also, this outcome is wayyyyy healthy then pizza you would order on a Friday night.
Today I am going to teach you how to create your own dough and out of this world pizza sauce. Toppings of your choice are all you need additionally for each pizza, (choice of cheese, meat, veggies, etc.).
Let's Get Cookin'
Ingredients:
For Your Dough: (Makes enough dough for 2 individual pizzas)
- 2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 Envelope or Packet of Active Dry Baking Yeast
- 1 Cup of Warm Water (About 110 degrees F)
- 1 Tablespoon of Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt
For Your Sauce: (Makes PLENTY, you'll have leftovers)
- 1 Entire 28oz. Can of Crushed Tomatoes, no salt added
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
- 1 Tablespoon of Sugar (Or start with 1 Teaspoon and add accordingly)
- 1 and 1/2 Teaspoons of Dried Basil
- 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon of Onion Powder, or a similar spice
- 1 and 1/2 Teaspoons of dried Oregano
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Thyme
- 1/2 Sea Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
- Optional: 1/2 Teaspoon, (more or less), of Red Pepper Flakes
Step 1 (Sauce)
(If you REALLY want the most out of your sauce, make it the night before if possible.
It'll give some time to let the flavors sit and taste better the next day).
Grab a medium or large bowl and empty your can of crushed tomatoes in the bowl.
Add in all your spices and ingredients. Mix well.
The tomato paste is great for thickening your sauce, feel free to add more if you prefer a thicker pizza sauce.
Refrigerate until needed.
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| Getting Ready! |
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| Everything in the Bowl |
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| All Mixed Together! |
Step 2 (Dough)
For the dough, allow yourself at least 90 Minutes to prepare and let sit before actually cooking with it. If possible, make the night before and refrigerate so it is ready to go the next day.
Grab a measuring cup and from your faucet add a cup of hot water. Use a thermometer to test the degrees, Around 110-125 F is where you want it. Set aside.
Take out a large mixing bowl, add your sugar, warm water, and packet of yeast to the bowl. Whisk quickly together. Keep an eye on your bowl. When you notice the yeast starts to foam rapidly, then continue to the next step. Note: Bubbles may arise but the foaming looks different. See pictures below.
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| Mixture RIGHT after whisking. Bubbles, but no foam |
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| The middle of the mixture, right near the bubbles, is foam. It's dark, thick, and starting to spread. |
Once you see the foam, take 1 Cup of your flour and add it to your bowl. Use your whisk and mix it for 75 turns, and then stop.
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| Mixing during the 75 turns |
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| Finished with the 75 turns! |
Next, add the remaining 1 Cup of flour and use your whisk to slightly mix and fold your dough into the remaining flour. Once most of the dough has absorbed the flour, use your hands and fold the dough. Add sprinkles of flour to the dough as needed. Dough may be a little sticky at first. You want a dough that is stuff but also squishy, not too wet.
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| Folding the dough in additional 1 Cup of flour! |
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| Complete! |
Step 3
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set aside in a room temperature or warm place, (away from the cold), and leave it alone for 45 minutes.
Step 4
When you check on your dough, you will notice that it has increased in size and has risen.
Punch it down once in the middle and leave it alone for another 20 minutes.
Step 5
Once 20 minutes is up, divide the dough into two parts! You now have 2 balls of dough to make two individual pizzas with! Use right away, refrigerate for a few days for future use, or freeze the dough if you plan on saving it longer than that.
Step 6, Pizza Time!!!
To cook your individual pizza, preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
They will need to bake for 12-15 minutes, add more time if needed.
I found 15 minutes as the perfect cooking time.
Grab a baking sheet, cover in aluminum foil to save yourself some cleaning time, and add some olive oil to keep your dough from sticking.
Grab 1 of your dough balls and add flour as needed to keep it from sticking on your counters. Use a rolling pin to spread it out and then use your hands to complete the shape.
Spread it on your baking sheet for desired thickness of crust.
Fold the edges inward to create the end of your crust.
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| Crust ready to go! |
For an added option, you could add cheese in between your folded crust edges to create a stuffed-crust! (Let me know if any of you do this, and how it comes out)!
Step 7
Add your sauce, followed by desired toppings. For a healthier pizza, you could add mashed avocado to replace cheese, or just add avocado as a topping in general! (Use it and thank me later).
Here were some of the creations:
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| My Sister's Pizza: Sauce, Cheese Mix of Mozzarella and Parmesan, Tomato Slices, Avocado, Broccoli, Spinach, Mushrooms, Green Onion Once out of the oven, topped with fresh basil |
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| My Boyfriend's Pizza: Sauce, Cheese Mix of Mozzarella and Parmesan, Tomato Slices, Avocado, Green OnionOnce out of the oven, topped with fresh basil |
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| My Pizza: Sauce, Minced Garlic, Avocado, Tomato Slices, Daiya Mozzarella Cheese, Spinach, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Green Onion Once out of the oven, topped with fresh basil |
Well that is all I have for today! Fresh Homemade Pizza is the best kind.
This was easy and fun to make! How do you like your pizza?
Leave a comment or suggestion below, and let me know if any of you create your own pizza!
Thanks for stopping by! xo
