PIZZA!!!

I come to you tonight from the comfort of my back porch.  It is a beautiful evening (despite the rather loud "buzzing" of riding lawn mowers throughout the neighborhood... seriously... it sounds like we're under attack by killer bees! LOL!)  Anyway, it's the first night since we've had the porch extension complete that it's not 90 degrees or pouring down rain!  I can see how so many writers go away to nature to write.  It's so peaceful!!! At times like these it boggles my mind how one can marvel at nature and not KNOW that we are created by a marvelous and magnificant God!

Life is good!

Not to mention, my belly is pleasantly full too! LOL!  Tonight we had "make-your-own-pizza" night.  I find the more I involve my kids in the kitchen, the less effort I am required to exert to get them to eat!  A win-win situation!  I have a tried and true recipe for pizza dough that I've included below, as well as a simple pizza sauce. 

Spreading out the dough!

Puttin' on the sauce...

You gotta have PLENTY of cheese!  MMMmmmm....

and pepperoni! 

Funny fact about my kiddos:  They only actually eat the pepperoni on homemade pizzas.  The absolutely REFUSE to touch pizza that has one on it at restaurants!  Crazy kids! LOL!

All set to go in the oven!

LET'S EAT!!

I was not in the "mood' for pizza, so I whipped up a light pasta dish with some fresh herbs from the garden, tomatoes, and garlic.  Mmmm!

(I know... I'm a nut!  I take tons of pictures! LOL!)

As promised... here are the recipes!  Enjoy!

PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

1 (1/4 ounce) envelope dry yeast

1 tsp. honey

2 Tblsp. extra-virgin olive oil (seperated)

2 & 1/2 -3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

In large bowl, combine the water,  honey, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.  Stir to combine and quickly add in yeast.  Stir once or twice.  Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.

Add 1 and 1/2 cups flour and the teaspoon of salt to yeast mixture.  Mix by hand until it is all incorporated and the mixture is smooth (will be sticky).  Continue adding flour (1/4 cup at a time), working into the dough after each addition, until the dough is smooth but still slightly sticky.  Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until the dough is well combined (about 5 minutes).

Use remaining tablespoon of olive oil to coat a clean large mixing bowl.  Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat with the oil.  Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in size (about 1 and 1/2 hours).

When ready to use, spread out on a greased pizza pan and top with your choice of toppings.  Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Makes 3 small (9 inch pizzas) or 1 large pizza.

PIZZA SAUCE

Ingredients:

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 clove garlic (chopped)

1 & 1/2 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes (or 3 Tblsp. fresh)

2 tsp. dried onion flakes

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. dried basil (or 1 tsp. fresh)

1 cup water

Combine tomato paste, garlic, parsley, onion, oregano, basil and water in small saucepan.

Cook over medium high heat until mixture boils.  Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.  Cool slightly and spread on pizza.