Easy Crusty Pizza

Easy Crusty Pizza

This is an old favorite but I noticed it was not posted on the blog. This recipe makes a great crusty pizza, you can choose to make it thin or thick.  For a great change on the toppings, try olive oil, sausage and broccoli chopped up fine with just a dash of cheese on the top. This recipe is easy and only has to rise about 45 - 60 minutes.

Thin Crusty Pizza

Makes 2 12" pizzas

 Dough:

1 1/4 tsp instant yeast

1 cup water, room temperature

1 3/4 cups unbleached flour

1 cup cake flour (I never use this because i don't have any-i just use regular flour)

1 1/2 tsp table salt

2 tsp sugar

Topping:

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp sugar

1 small garlic clove

1/4 cup chopped basil

8 oz fresh mozerella (we use regular mozerella to cut costs)

2 tsps olive oil

FOR THE CRUST

Adjust oven rack to lowest position set pizza stone on oven rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees. In liquid measuring cup, whisk yeast into water to dissolve.

In food processor fitted with metal blade, process flours, salt, and sugar until combined, about 5 seconds. With machine running, slowly add liquid through feed tube; continue to process until dough forms satiny, sticky ball that clears sides of work bowl, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. (If after a minute dough is sticky and clings to blade, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour and continue processing. If dough appears dry and crumbly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water and process until dough forms ball).

Divide dough in half and shape into smooth, tight balls. Place on floured counter or baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart; cover loosely with plastic wrap coated with nonstick cooking spray and let rise until doubled in volume about 1 hour.

FOR THE TOPPING

In clean bowl of food processor, process tomatoes until crushed, two or three 1 second pulses. Transfer tomatoes to fine mesh strainer set over bowl and let drain at least 30 mins, stirring occassionally to release liquids. Just before shaping pizza rounds, combine drained tomatoes, sugar, garlic (if using), 1 T basil and 1/4 tsp salt in bowl.

TO SHAPE AND COOK PIZZAS

When dough balls have doubled in size, dust dough liberally with four and transfer balls to well-floured work surface. ess one ball into 8-inch disk (sort of a trial and error process - i just do it on a large cutting board and use that as my paddle to transfer to the stone in the oven). Using flattened palms, gently stretch disk into 12 inch circle, working along outer edge and giving disk quarter turns. They suggest using a pizza paddle, but who has one on hand? I just move it directly from the cutting board to the stone. It starts cooking as soon as it hits that stone so transfer gingerly. Spread thin layer of tomato topping (about 1/2 cup) over dough with rubber spatula, leaving 1/2 inch border around edge. I just cook it until it looks done, the recipe says to cook for 5 minutes and then add the cheese. Do what you feel is best. They recommend adding the rest of the basil after it is cooked on top along with salt and olive oil.

Repeat steps to make second pizza.