Homemade Pizza Night

Today, September 22nd, is Family Day. What a great day to celebrate! Spend time in the kitchen tonight making homemade pizza together. Then, gather around the table, eat pizza, sip on soda and play games. I can't think of a better way to spend the evening. Here is my famous (at least with my family and friends) pizza crust. Have a great night with the family!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups water

2 Tb. Olive Oil

2 Tb. Honey

6 cups whole-wheat flour (4 cups of wheat berries if making your own flour)

1/3 Cup Vital Wheat Gluten

2 tsp. Salt

1 Tb. Italian Seasoning

1-2 Tb. Minced Garlic (according to your garlic tastes)

4 tsp. yeast

DIRECTIONS:

Bread Maker: I have a bread maker, so if you are lucky enough to have one of these amazing tools in your kitchen, put ingredients in the maker in the order listed. Set your bread maker on the dough setting and let it work it's magic.

By Hand: If you do not have a bread maker, here are your steps to make your dough.....

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water (between 95-115 degrees - the water should feel like a really hot shower, but not burning you). 

2. Add your honey, canola oil, salt, gluten and one cup of flour. Mix well and let stand for about 5-10 minutes, until it starts to get slight bubbles, this is activating your yeast. Add two more cups of flour and start to mix it. At this point is should start getting hard to mix, as it is getting a more dough consistancy.

3. Dump your dough out onto a floured counter. Now for the best part of making bread by hand!! Knead away. This is a very therapeutic process, and one I miss sometimes with my bread maker. (however the time I save with a bread maker is WELL worth it. If you make this a lot, invest in one!!) Knead for about 10 minutes. If dough becomes sticky, add more flour. You will want to knead this until the dough starts to feel very elastic - you will notice the change. It will start to bounce back when pushed, and start to feel very soft.

4. Spray your mixing bowl with non-stick spray, put your kneaded dough back into the sprayed bowl and cover with a towel. Time to walk away and let it rise for about an hour - until double.

 

Making Your Pizza:

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

 

Divide the dough in half and spread evenly onto 2 pre-greased pizza pans. Let raise for about 10 minutes (I usually let it rise while I am preparing all of my toppings). Bake in pre-heated oven for about 3-5 minutes - just until it is not doughy to the touch any more. Top with your favorite ingredients, then bake until cheese is slightly brown and crust is completely cooked - roughly 10-15 minutes.