Make Your Own Pizza Night..Family Style!

Now this is something EVERYBODY in the house can agree on-making your own pizza. I make the sauce and dough ahead of time, and lay out an assembly line...so they can work their magic:

You can add your own toppings, don't have to share, and make it look anyway you want. We try and do this every couple of weeks, and the kids love it because it's hands on....

But, inevitably THIS happens....

But the result is....

And this:

This is a win-win for everyone!

Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup warm water
1 tsp.
2 tsp. Extra-virgin olive oil
just under 3 cups all-purpose white flour, plus more for dusting

Directions:In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a
little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated.
When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium; stop the machine
periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a
small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour - 1
tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5
minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times;
kneading until it is smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly
oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise
in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light/warm oven) until doubled in size, about 45 min. to 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 450 degrees F.

Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and
stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.

Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza
paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of
olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the
oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the
remaining dough.

Marinara-Tomato Pasta sauce

Ingredients:

2 cans 28 oz. each whole peeled tomatoes (blend till smooth in blender)

1 can 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

3-4   medium cloves garlic chopped finely

¼ cup Olive oil

¼ cup fresh basil chopped

1 whole yellow onion chopped

1/8 cup fresh oregano chopped

Red chili pepper flakes (optional)

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 teaspoon Nature’s Seasoning

Brown onions & garlic in olive oil, add herbs. Add tomatoes. Stir and reduce heat. Cover, stirring frequently. Add remaining ingredients. Cook down, add ½ cup water after reducing heat. Simmer on low heat for 2 hours.