COOKING: HOMEMADE PIZZA!

Yum pizza. Is there a food option that most everyone in the universe likes more than pizza? Okay maybe pasta and actually I am sure there are a couple countries out there that do not even know what pizza is but you get my gist – a lot of people like pizza. I think one of the reasons is there are so many options for toppings that no one pizza tastes the same. The crust is also such a key component. Being from the Midwest I had no idea that you could get a pizza where the star of the show was not the thick crust. Thin crust pizza blew my mind! And my apologies to all my friends in Chicago but I like it better. I like it so much better that I make my own thin crust pizza and I think it is pretty darn good. Now do not venture off to another blog making pizza dough is not as scary as it seems. Yes it is harder than buying pizza dough at the grocery store but what fun is that? Give it a try and see if you are not hooked. Maybe give it three tries because there may be a learning curve.

Ingredients

• 1 Tb yeast
• 1Tb sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• Olive oil
• Salt
• 4 to 5 cups flour
• Tomato sauce and Cheese - plus whatever you want for topping

What to do

1. Place yeast and sugar in a measuring cup and pour in warm water. Let the water mixture sit for about 4-5 minutes (it will get foamy).
2. In a mixing bowl put a little bit of olive oil (2 Tb or more) and a little salt.
3. Add the yeast/sugar water mixture to the bowl and add flour.
4. Mix it all together. The dough should easily be coming off the sides of the bowl and not be coupy. You can add more flour if need be.
5. Once mixed either attach a kneading attachment to your mixer for 2 to 3 minutes or place the dough on a flat floured surface and start kneading.  If you have never kneaded before you are in for a treat. Kneading is a wonderful experience to get out all your aggression and anger out on an inanimate object. You push in - then wrap around - then punch - then start all over again. (knead for about 4-5 minutes)
6. Once kneaded place the dough in a bowl and put a dish cloth over the top and let it rise in a warm draft free place for about an hour.
7. Once your hour is up punch your dough down give it a couple more kneads and then divide the dough into fours and place on four individual cookie sheets.
   
   Now the fun begins!
8. Set the oven for 425
9. Take your first cookie sheet of dough and with a rolling pin roll out the dough. You will need to sprinkle it with flour to prevent sticking.
10. Once the dough is spread out evenly on the cookie sheet you can add the pizza sauce, cheese and fixins.
11. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes
12. Now repeat for the remaining dough.  

* Photos NYTimes