You don’t have to be a master chef to make pizza

Pizza is an Italian dish that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and made it’s way to the U.S. many years ago.  In fact, it’s a food that is enjoyed in many parts of the world.  Millions of pizza are consumed each year, and no two pizzas are the same. 

Many people in the U.S. purchase their pizza from the local “pizzeria, pizza shop, or pizza place.”  Learning how to make pizza is a great experience.  Plus, it may taste better than the one from the local pizzeria.

Some people make pizza at home.  Most use a ready-made dough, while others make their own dough.  If you know how to make pizza, you could eat it every week.  Do have a party to attend?  Make a homemade pizza instead of buying it.  Serve it on a pretty platter, and you’ll be the hit of the party!

How to make pizza

Ingredients

1. Dough or ready-made dough
2. Tomato paste or marinara sauce
3. Cheese (most people prefer Mozzarella; Provolone, Asagio, Parmesan, or Romano)
4. Any toppings you want:  vegetables, pepperoni, chicken, ham, ground beef, etc.
5. Olive oil

Make the dough

1. 1/2 Cups – Warm Water (not hot!)
2. 2 Tbsp. – Sugar
3. 1 Envelope – Active Dry Yeast (not the quick kind)
4. 2 Tsp. – Salt
5. 4 Tbsp. – Olive Oil
6. 4 Cups – Flour (whole wheat or all-purpose for thinner dough; bread flour for thicker, chewier dough)

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Preparation of Dough

1. Combine the water, sugar, and yeast packet in a large bowl.  Allow the yeast to sit for 10 minutes.  You should see a tan-colored foam form at the top, that’s good.  If not, go back to the store and purchase another package of fresh yeast.
2. Add the salt and olive oil.  Add one cup of flour at a time — use a whisk, large fork, or hard spatula to thoroughly combine the mixture.
3. Begin to knead the dough for about 5 minutes.  To knead, use your hands to fold the dough ball in half over and over. Use your palm to smash the ball together, then fold it in half and smash it together again.  If the ball becomes sticky, add more flour.  The ball is not supposed to stick to the side of the bowl; it should not be dry and cracking.
4. Once you have kneaded the dough, drizzle some olive oil over it and place it in a clean bowl.  Use your hands to spread the oil over the dough.  Place plastic wrap or a wet towel over the bowl, and place it in a warm place (such as an unlit oven or sunny counter top).  The dough will rise.  Leave the dough in this place until it nearly doubles in size.  This will take about 40 minutes to an hour.  After the dough is ready — begin to shape the pizza with your hands.

Pizza in the Oven (slow)

1. Preheat your oven to 350⁰F.
2. Buy ready-made pizza dough or make your own dough.
3. Spread tomato sauce/paste on pizza dough.
4. Add cheese.
5. Add other toppings.
6. Place your pizza on an oven tray sprayed with olive-oil, so that the pizza doesn’t stick.
7. Put your pizza in the oven, and turn it down to about 320⁰F degrees. Take it out after 15 – 25 minutes, depending on your oven.  Use your judgment to tell when the pizza is ready.  The cheese will be golden brown, but it should not be burnt.

If you have kids, they”ll appreciate it if you knew how to make homemade pizza.  You could make pizza for your kids birthday party or school function.  You could even teach your kids how to make pizza.  It could be a special treat for a “Friday Family Night” — pizza, games, and a movie!