Pizza Night Done Right

Pizza. Invoking dreams of parties and cold breakfasts, American pizza is an icon. Thin crust, thick crust, Chicago-style, New York-style; I don't care what style it is as long as there are no mushrooms on it! But since you're reading this, I hope you'll have figured on it being home-style.

But you're getting robbed for someone else to make it. That's why usually Dave and I make it ourselves. (Some days I'm just too lazy.) I costed out a pizza the likes of which I'll be discussing here once, and the total was less than $7. Under $7 for a pizza you'd easily be paying $12 or $15 for from a take-out joint. Wowsers! 

With that all said and done, let's talk crust. I've tried to make pizza dough at least 10 times and every time I do, it comes out nasty. If you can nail it, by all means send me your technique so I can spread the word (and give you credit for it)! I like to get my dough at Alesci's. It's 2 for $1.25. That's about $0.65. Pillsbury makes it in a tube, and Boboli isn't bad. But those are both more expensive and in my opinion, a bit less appealing. But you are the kitchenista! You decide that!

One thing I HAVE got down pat is the sauce. The recipe I'll be giving you is enough for 2 pizzas. What you have left over (if any), freeze in your ice cube trays so you can thaw it quick for some other day.

Now, do you have a pizza stone? I love mine. Unfortunately we didn't figure out for quite a while how much better the crust came out if you put the pizza on a hot stone. So now you know. But if you don't, use a cookie sheet you're not too attached to. And if you love your cookie sheets, that's fine too; but you'll need something to cut this pizza on. You're going to trash it making pizza on it.

OK. So, if you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven and preheat it to 350. Cookie sheet people, just preheat your ovens and pat the dough out onto the cookie sheet. Spray some cooking spray on that pan first, or if you have cornmeal around, put 2-3 T of that on there instead. Don't go crazy with the cooking spray; if you do the dough won't stay on the pan. Pizza stone people, this is where it gets tricky- but worth it. You have to figure out a way to shimmy that dough onto the stone. Try rolling it out on a mat (or plastic wrap) LIBERALLY sprinkled with flour or cornmeal. Flip it upside-down onto the stone and just try to dust- NOT wipe- some of the flour/cornmeal off with a towel (a clean dishtowel is best, but paper will do). Once you get it on there, work quick! You'll assemble it on top of the pizza stone. Be careful- it's HOT!

Now: The sauce. How much you want is on you, but the heavier you go, the less likely it is that all your toppings are going to stay on the slice. After this goes the flat stuff, like salami, pepperoni, etc. Then toss on whatever else you have. Spread it out EVENLY! Throw some cheese on that baby and pop her in for about 15-20 minutes. Check it at 15. Once it's a bit brown and all your cheese is melted and a bit bubbly you are ready to eat! So here comes the recipe part. And as the Italians say, "Mangi!"

PS. Just go buy the cornmeal. It's cheap, and next time we'll talk about cornbread.

Easy Pizza Sauce

2 (8 oz) cans plain tomato sauce   1 (6 oz) can tomato paste   2 t Basil   2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed   2t Oregano   1 t Paprika   1/2 t onion powder   1/2 t sugar   Dash Parmesan Cheese (if desired)

   Mix everything together and let it sit at least an hour. Make this in a glass or plastic bowl. All the acid from the tomatoes will pit a metal bowl. Freeze whatever you don't use in ice cube trays for another day.

Garlic Pizza With Chicken Oven= 400

1/4 C unsalted butter, softened   1 T Garlic Powder   1/4 C Parmesan Cheese  1 1/2 to 1 3/4 C shredded Mozzarella or Provolone Cheese   1/2 an onion, sliced   1/2 a bell pepper, sliced  1 C cooked chicken, shredded or chopped

Mix garlic powder and butter. Set aside. Pre-bake raw crust (if using) for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and spread evenly with the butter mixture. Top this with chicken, peppers, and cheese. Return to oven & cook another 15 minutes.

Homemade Garlic Dipping Sauce

1/4 C melted margarine   1/2 t Garlic Powder   1 1/2 T Parmesan Cheese

Mix and serve.