Homemade Pizza

So there is a story behind this pizza crust recipe. A few years ago John and I decided to try a "take and bake" pizza place in Waco where we lived at the time. We got home, put our pizza in the oven and when we tried it John said it was the best crust he'd ever had. It's thin and crispy just like we like it yet it holds up to lots of toppings. Unfortunately, the pizza place closed shortly after we were there and we were unable to get more of the amazing pizza crust.

About a year later John was still talking about this pizza crust. We would drive by where the pizza place once was and he would crave that pizza. One day he got the idea to contact the Waco Chamber of Commerce to get the contact information of the people who once owned this local pizza place. He wrote them a letter explaining his love for their pizza and asking if they would share the recipe.

About 4 or 5 months passed and John received an email with the recipe. He was beyond excited and immediately forwarded me the email.

Homemade pizza is one of those things that is so much better at home. Really, you can control the quality of the ingredients, the freshness, double things if you like them a lot and you don't have to pay someone else to deliver it.

It really is amazing that homemade pizza. So good and so worth it. John and I had a lazy night at home Friday night and made pizza with our favorite toppings: Italian turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, cremini mushrooms and caramelized onions sauteed in marsala wine and fresh mozzarella.

I dare you to try and order that at your favorite chain or local pizza place.

Homemade Pizza

adapted from Sherrie Pierce

Dough Mix
5 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup Jiffy corn muffin mix
1/8 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 cup corn starch
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons oregano

Whisk together above ingredients until well mixed, store in well sealed plastic bags. Keeps for 4 months.

To make Pizza Dough:
1 cup very warm water
1 1/2 tsp quick rise yeast
3 cups dough mix
2 Tablespoons olive oil

In large bowl, add yeast to water and mix, allow mixture to sit about 5 minutes, to allow yeast to expand. Add pizza dough mix and oil. A mixer with a dough hook is best, but this can be done by hand, mix until there is no more dry ingredients. Remove from bowl and knead about 10 times. Once dough is made, place in an oiled bowl and cover well with oiled plastic and allow to rest one hour. Deflate before proceeding. Roll dough out on a floured surface to desired thickness. Put dough on parchment paper or a pizza pan, add sauce, cheese and toppings, cook 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Pizza Sauce

Lindsay's Kitchen

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes

3/4 teaspoon dried basil

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 teaspoons sugar

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Add olive oil to a medium saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and saute quickly. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients and simmer until sauce thickens.

Marsala Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions

Lindsay's Kitchen

1/2 red onion, sliced

8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

kosher salt

1/2 cup dry marsala wine

Saute onions and mushrooms in olive oil until onions are caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add kosher salt to season. Add marsala wine and reduce.