Homemade Pizza! (Tomato and Fugazzeta Varieties)

(Makes two large pizzas)
(Approx. 2 hours prep/cooking time)
(Don't be scared, much of this time is just waiting, and it will take less time when you get accustomed to the process!)

Ingredients:

• Water
• Yeast (1 tbsp)
• Sugar (1 tbsp)
• Salt (1/4 tsp)
• Flour (approx. 3 cups)
• Olive oil
• Tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes
• Cheese (Mozzarella, Parmesan)
• Onions
• Other toppings of your choice

1. Heat water to 105-115˚F (about 2 cups).

2. Pour water into a medium to large sized bowl.

3. Sprinkle a tablespoon of yeast into the bowl.

4. Add a tablespoon of sugar.

5. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

1. Add in flour, beginning with one packed cup.

2. Stir the flour into the mixture.

3. Add in the other two cups of flour, stirring in between.

4. Stir until thick, adding more flour as necessary.

1. When the mixture is thick enough, make it into a ball and roll it around on the counter.
2. Add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to the bowl.

3. Roll the dough ball in the oiled bowl and place it in the oven (unheated) to rise (about an hour and a half)

While you are waiting for your dough to rise, you have time to prepare your preferred toppings. This may include:

1. Crush tomatoes/Prepare tomato sauce in your preferred manner.

2. Shred cheese (use mozzarella or mix with parmesan). (Cut some mozzarella into strips if you want to add them into the crust).

3. Slice up two large white onions (for the fugazetta variety). Fry these in an oiled pan until they are soft.

4. Slice up pepperoni, olives, mushrooms etc.

1. Flour a space on your counter to work with the dough.

2. Take out your dough once it has risen and knead it on this floured surface.

3. When dough is sufficiently kneaded (feels well put together), cut the dough ball in half.

4. Take the first half and use a rolling pin to roll it out to desired circumference. (Remember to roll from the middle out to the edges)

1. Carefully place this flattened dough piece on a pizza pan and make adjustments to its shape as necessary.

2. Roll up the crust along the edges of the pizza. Roll strips of mozzarella into the crust if you desire a cheesy crust. Use a thick mixture of of flour and water as a paste to seal the crusts.

3. Repeat the procedure for the second half of the dough, using a second pizza pan.

4. Place both pizza pans in the (unheated) oven and leave until risen (10-15 min.)

5. Take out the pans when the dough has risen (it will appear to have puffed up a little), and preheat the oven to 400˚F.

1. When oven has reached 400˚F, put your dough in the oven for about five minutes.

2. Take the dough out again and add a layer (not too thick!) of tomato sauce to the dough on one pan, and layer all of the onions on the dough on the second pan.

3. Return both pans to the oven, and leave them in there until the tomato sauce and onions are warm.

1. Take the pans out again and add cheese to both varieties. Add any other toppings you wish.

2. Return both pans to the oven and leave in until the cheese is melted (I like to wait until it starts browning a little).

1. Cut yourself a slice and enjoy your homemade pizza!

Dare to experiment! Try adding herbs to your dough! Try mixing up the toppings and sauce!
Try one of my favorites- A cheese topping and a layer of basil pesto instead of tomato sauce!