Pizza Crust and Pizza Sauce

Who doesn't love pizza? I've made this recipe over and over again. First at Megan's house in 2010 and then at John's house! I've owed it to my friends to make them pizza for over a year now and we made it tonight! This is a simple pizza crust that helps the flavor of vegetables and other ingredients come through. The pizza tastes great and is good (whole wheat) for you, too!

It was a little chaotic this time around but we managed.

Pizza Crust: yields one cookie size sheet pizza or two medium deep dish pizzas. If there are about over 10 guests, double the recipe below to make 2 cookie sheet size pizzas.
     Ingredients:
          2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or 1 packet
          1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
          2 3/4 cups bread flour, divided. (All-purpose flour works, too! I prefer whole wheat).
          1 tablespoon sugar
          1 tablespoon olive oil
          1 teaspoon salt
       
     Directions:
          In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Beat in the 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon oil, sguar and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the remaining flour; beat until combined.

          Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
      ***Trick to dough rising: Preheat the oven. Once the preheat bell sounds off, TURN OFF the oven, and place the bowl in the oven for about 30 minutes. ***        



Pizza sauce:
   Copy-Cat Recipe for Papa Murphy's Sauce


When you are ready to assemble:
***TIP: To keep the dough form sticking to the surface it is being cooked on, use a spray of olive oil or Pam and add cornmeal on the bottom of the pizza.***

 Punch dough down on a lightly floured surface; roll into desired pizza shape and transfer to a pizza pan or cookie sheet. Build up edges slightly. Spread with pizza sauce or pesto. Top with your choice of toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned.


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Recipe for Pesto Artichoke Spinach Pizza (Vegetarian)
     Ingredients: Pesto spread (found in spaghetti sauce aisle), artichoke hearts in oil, spinach, diced tomatoes, and cheese (mozzarella and cheddar).
     Directions: Spread pesto sauce. Sprinkle some cheese. Add chopped spinach and tomatoes. Place artichokes, and top with cheese.

Pesto Artichoke Spinach Pizza w/ tomatoes!

***Very delicious!!!!!

Recipe for Pineapple Ham Spinach Pizza
     Ingredients: Pineapple, cubed ham (love the Costco ham steaks), spinach
     Directions: Spread pizza sauce. Sprinkle some cheese. Layer spinach. Evenly sprinkle cubed ham and pineapples. Top it off with cheese.

*** I LOVE PINEAPPLES!!! EXTRA PINEAPPLES PLEASE!!!


Recipe for Pepperoni Sausage Pizza
     Ingredients: sausage, pepperoni, and cheese.
     Directions: Brown sausage and set aside when fully cooked. Spread pizza sauce. Sprinkle some cheese. Layer pepperoni and sausage. Top with more cheese!

Half Pineapple Ham Spinach and Pepperoni Pizza

Other times I've made pizza:

First time making pizza with Megan.
We used ham steaks, green peppers, pineapples, spinach, mozz, and cheddar cheese. 

Making pizza with my boyfriend, Jawn!
Left side is pepperoni sausage.
Right side is vegetarian: pineapple, olives, spinach, green peppers. 

***Hummus is a great pizza sauce***

***Trick to a great and cheesy pizza. Spread your choice of sauce on the pizza dough, sprinkle some cheese, add your desired toppings, and heavily sprinkle the left over cheese! or more if you'd like!!!!***

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Lists of possible toppings, sauces, cheese, meats, and seafood!

Vegetable/ Fruit Toppings:
Artichoke Hearts
Broccoli
Capers
Cherry tomatoes
Eggplant
Garlic
Green bell peppers
Kalamata Olives
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Olives
Onions
Peas
Pineapples
Portobello muschrooms
Red onions
Red peppers
Scallions
Shallots
Snow peas
Spinach
Sun-dried tomatoes
Sweet corn
Tomatoes
Zucchini

Herbs and Spices:
Basil
Bay Leaf
Cardamon
Chili dried or fresh
Chives
Cilantro
Coriander
Cumin
Dill
Garlic
Jalapeno Peppers
Oregano
Parsley
Pepper
Rosemary

Meat toppings:
Bacon
Beef
Chicken
Chorizo
Ham
Pepperoni
Proscuitto
Salami
Sausage
Turkey

Seafood:
Anchovies
Lobster
Oyster
Salmon
Shrimp
Tuna

Cheeses:
Bleu Cheese
Brie
Cheddar
Colby
Feta
Goat cheese
Gorgonzola
Monterey Jack
Mozzarella   
Parmesan
Provolone
Ricota
Smoked Gouda

Sauces: (*tried sauces)
Alfredo
Creamy Caesar Dressing
BBQ*
Hot wing
Hummus*
Pesto*
Sweet Chili sauce
Tomato*
Taco sauce
Thai peanut sauce
Olive Oil