PIZZA

Hello, friends ... I'm back!
It sure didn't take too long before this little challenge for myself has become somewhat overwhelming. Sticking to one theme per week should be easy! But it's not! It's the hunting down recipes that ends up taking sooo long. We finally have internet (not just wireless), so the hunt has become a little quicker ... but still. I must find a new approach. Until then ... may I present my Semi-Mediterranean week:

Monday we had Pizza. Classic comfort food. Used my mom's tried and true recipe for pizza dough. Used toppings that added an earthiness and Zing -these two flavors played back and forth between the artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, bocconcini mozzarella, goat cheese mozzarella ... J and I both had smiles on our faces and spotless plates once this meal was happily gurgling in our bellies.

Pizza Dough Recipe:
3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp yeast
1 cup + 1\4 cup heated water
Sugar

1. Add 1\4 cup heated water to 1 Tbsp yeast (I add a sprinkling of sugar to this mixture to encourage the yeast to activate).
Allow yeast to rise (when it bubbles and foams - it's ready!)
2. Add flour to medium sized bowl and add 1 cup of warm water to flour (add more if dough is too dry). Add yeast.
3. Work water into flour ... dough should form a ball and work it's way off the bowl.
4. Drizzle oil over dough to coat; make a ball. Cover bowl with a towel and leave in a warm place for 30mins.
~ PREHEAT OVEN TO 400F ~
5. Once dough has risen (dough should be doubled in size), punch it down!
6. Cut into 3 sections
7. Knead each ball separately, roll out, and place on a floured sheet pan.
8. Bake for 5-10mins (dough should still be white but firm)