Pizza

My kids have found that using the Cuisinart makes things fun. Ryan wanted to make some pizza so I thought it was time for him to learn to do it on his own, he is 19 after all.

A few days before Valentine's day I told Ryan that if he made the dough (recipe from Cuisinart) we could have pizza for dinner that night. He did well and learned a few things along the way. For example, if you have the liquid in the food processor and are adding the flour mixture while the machine is running you will have flour in places you did not expect. All in all he did well, cleaned up his mess and the dough turned out perfect.

Nathan made a heart shaped pizza (he started eating before I got a picture) with pepperoni, salomi, chicken and olives. Ryan decided to make a buffalo chicken pizza with crumbled blue cheese and blue cheese dressing added after baking. They did discover that if you make a really thick crust it will be much more filling. Live and learn. =)

Ryan's Pizza

Nathan's Pizza

Making Pizza dough is quick, easy and taste so much better than delivery. The best part is that you can put what ever you like on it. Ground beef and cheddar for a cheese burger pizza (I have teenage boys can you tell), chicken and left over asparagus with Alfredo sauce, tomatoes with onions and feta cheese, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast (2-1/4 tsp. active dry yeast)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

2/3 cup warm water (105 to 115°F.)

1-2/3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoons salt

¾ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil.

Instructions

In a 2-cup liquid measure, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until foamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Insert metal blade in work bowl and add flour and salt. With machine running, pour liquid through small feed tube as fast as flour absorbs it. Process until dough cleans sides of work bowl and forms a ball. Then process for 30 seconds to knead dough. Dough may be slightly sticky. Coat dough evenly with olive oil; transfer to a large greased bowl, turning dough to cover with oil, cover bowl with plastic wrap (or use a plastic food storage bag and seal the top). Let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and punch down. Roll into desired crust sizes and place on baking sheets lightly sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 500 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until baked through.

If you are making dough by hand sift flour and other dry ingredients together. Add the liquid yeast mixture and mix until combined. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead dough for about 5 minutes. Place dough into large greased bowl or plastic bag as described above. Let rise in warm place for about 45 minutes. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and punch down. Roll into desired crust sizes and place on baking pans lightly sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 500 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until baked through.