Mammmma Mia!

Have you ever made your own pizza dough? It's so easy and honestly one of the most satisfying things you can make. There is something wonderful about the smell of rising dough and punching down the dough is pure bliss.

This dough is super easy when you use the dough hook on the Kitchen Aid mixer. Alternatively, you can knead the dough by hand for 10 min.

Basic Pizza Dough

In a mixer combine the following. Let stand for 5 minutes until yeast foams.

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast)

1 tsp sugar

Add in

3 1/2 cups white flour (substitute up to 1 cup of whole wheat flour)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp salt

With the mixing arm, mix ingredients on low speed for 1 min. Switch to dough hook and mix on medium for about 10 min or until dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Place in a well oiled bowl (turning dough to coat), cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hrs in a warm place.

Punch down dough. Ahhhhh :)

Divide into 2 balls. Roll each ball loosely in plastic wrap and let rise for another 15 min.

Flour your counter and roll the dough into whatever shape you like. (If you like the crunch, spread some cornmeal on your baking sheet before placing the dough on the sheet.) Let rest for 10 min.

Top the pizza with whatever you want. Bake at 475 for 10 min or until it's done.

*My fav toppings are olive oil, sliced Roma tomatoes, whole basil leaves and baby boccocini mozzarella. Margarita style.

PS. Here's a pic of the salad I ended up making with those Heirloom Tomatoes!