Homemade Pizza: Three Generations of Crowd Control

Yep; three generations. My grandma and momma perfected this dough recipe years ago, keeping the masses of children and their hunger at bay. Whether they were making pizza, dinner rolls, or cinnamon rolls, this dough recipe is fast and easy and perfect to stick in the frig overnight for quick baking the next day. So now, the recipe has been passed down to me, the third generation. Growing up in the kitchen with my momma, it was always my "job" to make the sauce on pizza night, so you will find my two sauce recipes listed below. I hope you enjoy our traditional family pizza!

Grandma & Mommas Dough   (yields 2 lg. Pizzas)

·       2T Dry Yeast

·       2C Warm Water

·       2T Sugar

·       2 tsp. Salt

·       4T Sunflower Oil (Gma prefers canola, but this has an incredible taste!)

·       5.25C Flour; may need extra for kneading

·       Substitute 1/4 – 1/2 of regular flour for whole wheat flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water; let sit for 3-5min, then mix other ingredients, flour lastly and one cup at a time. Mix the last cup or two of flour by hand on a lightly floured surface; may need more flour so it does not stick too bad. Dough should be stretchy and slightly sticky, but not sticking to the counter. Cover dough with sheen of oil; cover & let rise from 15-30min while making sauce. Use oil to spread dough over pans to prevent sticking.

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Jenny’s Sauce   (yields enough for 2 pizzas)

·       1 can ea. of Tomato Paste, Sauce and Soup

·       2 minced Garlic Clove (or 1-2tsp Garlic Pwd)

·       3tsp. minced Onion (or 1tsp. Onion Pwd)

·       1T Taco Seasoning

·       Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Ground Pepper … all to taste.

OR my [SPICIER] favorite way…

·       1 28oz Can of Crushed Tomatoes

·       1 small can of Tomato Sauce

·       1 T Olive or Sunflower Oil (for sautéing)

·       3-4 (or 2 T worth) Minced Garlic Cloves

·       Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Sea Salt, Ground Pepper, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley all to taste [I like a lot of thyme, oregano and ground pepper.]

·       Optional lemon zest for extra zing! I really like this!!

Sauté the oil with red pepper flakes and garlic for no longer than a minute; do not let garlic brown. Add tomatoes & sauce, followed by remaining seasonings to taste. The best taste-test is a sauce-dipped pepperoni!

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Cover dough with pizza sauce and toppings. Bake the finished pizzas at 400F for 15 – 20min until crust on bottom is lightly golden brown and crispy. Do not pack pizzas too full of toppings or they will not bake completely. Enjoy!

Hint: Mix ½ pkg. Cheddar with 2pkg. Mozzarella, and sprinkle grated Parmesan and Romano on top for best pizza cheese!