Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Homemade Pizza

Every year I'm fascinated with Valentine's Day. You know why?

So many people hate it.

Huh? Somebody fill me in. I was always under the impression that people liked love. They love love--they're absolutely crazy about it. They listen to songs about love, and they watch movies where people fall in love, and they think and dream about the person they love, and they're even fascinated by the love lives of all their friends.

Our entire society is completely saturated with romance, and always has been. A huge chunk of the art, literature, and music of the Western tradition for centuries past has all revolved around the subject of romance. Romance, romance, romance. Well, and religion makes a pretty big showing too, since we're being historically accurate here.

But dedicate a single day out of the year to romance? Heavens, no! Horrors!

If you happen to be one of these romance-averse people, at least bury your aversion in a good, homemade pizza this Valentine's Day. You can't go wrong there. And you might even find yourself falling in love.

Homemade Pizza Crust


3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon instant yeast
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cup lukewarm water


In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1-1/2 cups of the flour with all the other ingredients, on medium speed, until completely smooth. Stir in the remaining flour and knead into a moderately stiff, elastic dough, about 8-10 minutes.

Transfer to a greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let it rise in a warm (75-80 degrees F) place until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Punch down the dough and turn onto a lightly-floured surface. Roll out into a 14-inch circle, and transfer to a pizza pan or stone. Top with sauce, cheese, and desired toppings.

Bake until crust is lightly browned, about 13-14 minutes.

(**Note: If you're using active dry yeast rather than instant yeast, dissolve the yeast in the water before mixing with the other ingredients.)


Ruth said...

Thank you thank you, this is the perfect recipe for making pizza, especially if it turns out as beautiful as yours.
As to Valentine's day, I hated it for years because even though it is all about love I never, EVER had a date on Valentine's day until I was married. I am confident this year will be better then last, mainly because I will not be sick and throwing up all night due to being pregnant.

Dee said...

I'm pretty ambivalent about Valentine's Day, but I'd celebrate Pizza day anytime :)