Not too long ago, most families were content with ordering their favorite pizza by phone and waiting an hour for the pie to arrive. But many people have since learned that wonderfully chewy homemade pizza dough is easy to make, as well as more affordable. You can make a standard pizza for just around 5-7 dollars. This includes crust, cheese and all the toppings you will want to heap on.
Making your own pizza can also be a healthier alternative to most commercial pizzas. You get to choose the flour, types of cheese, and hearty vegetables and meats that adorn the pizza. This can be a fun baking activity for you and your kids that fills the heart, as well as the tummy.
All the Toppings
The crust can make or break a pizza. The undeniable crunch, scintillating aroma and chewy inner goodness of pizza are what will keep everyone coming back for more. But when you learn how easy it is to make that mouth-watering crust, you’ll be scheduling pizza nights with your family on a regular basis. Soon, you will be wowing them with your culinary prowess.
Right Ingredients, Right Texture
Pizza crust is really just a type of bread. But every recipe has different ingredients. Most pizza dough is made from all-purpose flour. You can also use whole grain or wheat flour. This will make your pizza heavier and more dense. You don’t have to use quick-rise yeast, either. But it will help your crust “fluff” up.
Pan Perfect
If you’re a pizza purist, then you probably believe that pizza must be cooked in a wood-fired oven, or at least a pizza stone. However, you can actually cook pizza in any pan you have lying around. The best choice is an inexpensive metal pan with air holes on the bottom. The darker the pan, the crispier and darker your crust will be.
Pizza Crust Recipe
This recipe makes four 10-inch pizzas or 2 14-inch pizzas.
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons salt
- 1 Tablespoon sugar or honey
- 2 Packages of quick-rise yeast
- 5 Cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat/grain)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Cups of warm water
Directions
- Dump all the ingredients into a mixer. Then, blend at a low speed for 4 minutes, using a dough hook. Let the dough sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to proof. Then, turn the mixer back on for another 10 minutes. Pizza dough is stickier than regular bread dough, but it should still pull off the side of the bowl.
- Let the dough sit for about 1 hour in a greased bowl. Leave in a nice warm place to rise. After, punch the dough down and divide. Use your hands to spread the dough into the rough shape of your pizza (usually round or square). Put your sauce, cheese and toppings on and bake in your office on its highest setting before broil for about 10-15 minutes. Finally, slice and enjoy your homemade pizza!