Homemade Pizza

  

Here's a basic recipe for homemade pizza:

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F or 43°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 can (14 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Toppings:
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your choice of toppings (e.g., pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, sliced onions, sliced olives, mushrooms, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:

• In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
• Stir until the dough comes together, then knead it on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce:

• In a saucepan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

3. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (usually around 500°F or 260°C) and place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet on the center rack to heat.

4. Assemble the Pizza:

• Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions (for two medium-sized pizzas) or leave it whole for one large pizza.
• Roll out the dough on a floured surface into your desired pizza shape and thickness. If you prefer a thinner crust, roll it out thinner.
• Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper (for easy transfer to the hot pizza stone).
• Spread a thin layer of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
• Add your choice of toppings. Be creative and add whatever you like!

5. Bake the Pizza:

• Carefully slide the parchment paper with the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes (time may vary depending on your oven temperature and the thickness of the crust) until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

6. Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven using a pizza peel or a pair of tongs.
• Let it cool for a minute, then slice and enjoy your homemade pizza!
• Feel free to experiment with different toppings and flavor combinations to make the pizza your own. Homemade pizza is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal and have fun in the kitchen.