Your kitchen is the Best Pizza Parlor with this crust and Italian sauce!
PIZZA CRUST
yield: 3 medium crusts, or two large.
2 cups very warm water
1 Tablespoon instant yeast, i.e. SAF
If using regular yeast, dissolve in warm water first
1 Tablespoon sugar
3 Tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups flour - divided
Stir together salt, sugar and yeast, and HALF the flour. Add the water and oil all at once. Mix thoroughly til smooth.
Now add 2 more cups flour, stirring til well combined, then add final cup of flour, but only enough to make the ball smooth and non sticky.
Knead for ten minutes on clean surface, or use bread mixer. Let rest,covered in warm place for at least 20 minutes.
Divide dough into sections. Grease pizza pans, or if using a stone, sprinkle with corn meal. I love using cast iron griddles and pans as they make a really yummy crust. Place rounded mound of dough onto greased pizza pan and work with finger-tips and knuckles until dough fits edges. I usually don't use a rolling pin, as the dough shouldn't really be stretched; it should be played with a little to relax it:(I also like throwing it around a bit and letting it flop around on my fists and arms - kind of fun).
Spoon Pizza sauce on pizza dough
Let dough rise for at least 1/2 hour and while it does:
Sprinkle with generous portions of mozzerella cheese
Arrange favorite TOPPINGS: pepperoni and olives, ham and pineapple, garlic chicken, (use ranch dressing for sauce, adding extra garlic) Canadian bacon and mushrooms, sausage, tomatoes, green onions, peppers, etc. Another favorite is barbecue chicken: saute chicken strips, cut into pieces and drench in your favorite BBQ sauce before placing on pizza.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake pizzas one at a time in middle of oven for 12-14 minutes. Crust should be golden brown and the top bubbly. Bottom of crust should be a light golden brown.
ITALIAN SAUCE - with bottled or fresh tomatoes
Medium onion
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 quart bottle tomatoes, (or fresh),blended
1 teaspoon basil, or add fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
Saute onion in olive oil on med-low heat until onions are soft. Don't rush this. Add garlic at the end and stir. Blend tomatoes with seasonings and add to onions and garlic. Simmer on medium-low heat until sauce is reduced approximately by half. Add brown sugar. Spoon onto pizza dough.
If you aren't blessed with bottled tomatoes, you can use this substitute sauce:
2- 8oz cans tomato sauce
1 tsp each of onion, garlic and Italian seasoning
Simmer on low 10 minutes to blend flavors