Pizza Night

Truly one of my all time favorite meals hands down.  The homemade dough makes a world of difference and takes very little time to make.  The kids love making their own versions of pizza and I appreciate the help in the kitchen.  Best part is everyone ends up happy.

I use two different pizza dough recipes depending on how much lead time I have.  My first choice is to make the dough in the morning and throw it in the refrigerator. 

Slow-Rise Pizza Dough
Recipe by Mel’s Kitchen

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
1 1/3 cup water (cold)
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt

Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Mix and place in a greased bowl covered in the refrigerator.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator a few hours before you make the pizza. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. (If using a pizza stone, let stone heat for at least 30 minutes in the oven before baking pizza.)

I cut dough into 4-5 balls then I place each one on parchment paper.  Everyone makes their individual pizzas. I use a pizza paddle to transfer the pizza with the parchment paper to the oven.  I use a preheated pizza stone.  Slide pizza onto stone and bake for about 8 minutes.

If baking in a sheet pan, press dough onto sheet pan and top with sauce and toppings. Bake for about 12 minutes (checking often) until crust is browned and cheese is golden and bubbly.

 

If I don’t have time or forget to plan ahead, don’t worry.  Here is a great quick and easy recipe.

 

Fast and Easy Pizza Dough
Recipe by Mel’s Kitchen

3 cups flour, more or less
1 tablespoon honey, heaping
1 tablespoon oil, heaping
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. (If using a pizza stone, let stone heat for at least 30 minutes in the oven before baking pizza.) Mix all pizza dough ingredients together, except the flour. Add flour and knead for a bit then put into pan (or use a pizza peel and pizza stone). If baking in a sheet pan, bake for about 12 minutes (checking often) until crust is browned and cheese is golden and bubbly. If baking on the preheated pizza stone, slide pizza onto stone and bake for about 8 minutes.

Enjoy!