Homemade Pizza

We love pizza at our house! I have used the Pioneer Woman crust for many years and it is really good, but my friend Lesley sent me this recipe.  Since I got it, it's the only one I have used!  I can get it pretty thin!  Our favorite pizza is sauteed onions and bell peppers, smoked sausage, fresh mozzarella, and tomato cream sauce!  However, often I use pizzas for leftovers.  Whatever I have leftover from the week goes on the pizza!

Crust:

1 envelope of dry active yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water, room temp
3 TBS olive oil

Stir together yeast, sugar and warm water. Let sit until yeast is foamy.  (about 5 min)

In food processor or mixer, pulse salt and flour, then add yeast mixture slowly.  Pour in remaining water and oil through the tube (or slowly if in mixer).  Dough should ball up.

Turn dough on a lightly floured surface and knead just a minute to form a smooth ball.  Put dough in oiled bowl and covered with a damp cloth.  Let rise for one hour.

Punch down dough and divide into two equal portions.  Bag in ziploc bag and freeze or refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Bring to room temp before shaping crust.




Sauce:  Sometimes I do a store bought tomato sauce, but sometimes I make this... (my leftover sauce from fried green tomatoes)

Tomato Cream Sauce:

2 TBS olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

14.5 oz can of Italian style diced tomatoes

1 TBS basil (fresh or dried)

3/4 tsp sugar

dash of dried oregano

dash of salt

dash of black peper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 TBS butter

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat.

Add tomatoes, basil, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boiland continue to boil for 5 min or so.  Remove from heat and stir in cream and butter.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 more minutes.  Cool for a bit and then use an immersion blender or regular blender.  We like our really smooth so I blend it well.