Pizza Part 1: Show Me the Dough (and Sauce)

Step away from the frozen pizza section. Once you've tasted this healthful, homemade version, you'll realize that overly salty frozen pizza (that's not made from scratch) is just not...up to scratch (pun intended). This is a cinch to make, and it is perfect for any weekend family feast...hey, who said that means a lot of people?

As for the sauce, it has all the flavor, without any of that characteristic metallic, overly salty flavor from bottled and canned pizza sauces. And it is easy to make, which is always a plus.

So go to the kitchen. What are you waiting for?

    

White Whole Wheat Flour, Yeast + Water, Olive Oil. 

Here's the dough, post-knead, pre-rise.

 Dough + Sauce. The beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Pizza Dough
Makes one 16 inch pizza

-1 cup lukewarm water

- 1 tablespoon instant yeast

- 1/4 teaspoon sugar

- 2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon olive oil

First mix the yeast, sugar, and water in a large bowl, and watch it froth and bubble. You should leave it for approximately ten minutes. Then, mix in the flour, half cup at a time. It helps to first stir with a spoon or beater, and to use your hands when all the flour has been added. Knead. Make sure it turns into a moist dough consistency, you may need to add a little more water. Knead. Flip over the dough from time to time. Knead. Coat the dough with olive oil by flipping it over in the oil a couple of times. Did I tell you to knead?

Let it rise, covered with a towel, for 45 minutes-one hour. Great time to go jogging, do yoga, jump rope, conquer your favorite workout, or just laugh your way to a six pack.

Press onto the 16 inch pan (preferably with holes on the bottom: ie a pizza pan) and let rise as you make the sauce and toppings.

Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
Makes 1 cup (enough for this pizza dough)

-1 Roasted Red Pepper (See here for instructions)

-1 large tomato, diced

-1 tsp olive oil

-half of a head of roasted garlic (I used this recipe)

-salt and pepper to taste

-a handful of fresh basil

-spices of choice (think oregano, chili flakes etc.)

Saute the tomato in olive oil and spices until browned.

Blend this mixture with the basil, garlic, and roasted red pepper.

Cook down this blended mixture to allow the flavors to mesh together and to evaporate some of the water.

Slather on the pizza dough and add toppings (post about toppings coming soon!). If you want even more garlic flavor, make a paste out of the rest of the head of roasted garlic and spread it on the part of the crust that is not covered with sauce. Yum!