Relatively Quick Pizza from Scratch

Ingredients

• 1 tsp yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (for proofing)
• 3 cups bread flour (high-gluten)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper (optional)
• 1/2 cup water (additional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Cheese (Mozzarella, etc.)
• Vegetables for topping

Instructions

1. Proof the yeast: Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water and let rest for 10 minutes.
2. Prepare dry ingredients: Add flour, salt, and optional pepper to a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds.
3. Mix dough: With the processor running, add the yeast mixture, then the additional 1/2 cup of water and olive oil. Process until dough forms a ball. Adjust with small amounts of flour or water if too sticky or dry.
4. Rise: Knead dough briefly, place in a greased bowl, and let rise in a warm area for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
5. Prep toppings: Slice vegetables and gather other toppings while dough rises.
6. Preheat: Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C).
7. Shape: Divide dough into two pieces. Form into flat rounds and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll or stretch into pizza crusts.
8. Assemble: Brush dough with olive oil, then add sauce, cheese, and toppings.
9. Bake: Cook for 10+ minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Optional: throw a splash of water on the oven floor to create steam for a better crust.

Tonight I tried a new recipe tonight, on a whim (I hit up the grocery store on the way home from work]. It was my first time making any pizza, much less two whole large pizzas, and they turned out extremely well. Only tools used were a food processor (with dough blade), oven, two pizza pans, and a pizza cutter. Adding the recipe here for my own records.

No, I did not make the sauce. Needed to save something for next time!!! Actually, next time I will let the dough rise in the fridge either from AM to PM, or overnight, though that may be overdoing it a bit. We’ll see.