Thursday, February 25, 2010

Homemade Pizza Dough

Pizza Kits next to the Dinner Rolls Kits
Long ago, in house not far from here
but many years ago,
well almost six actually,
we used to have
Friday Night Pizza.

And now, after living in the Frozen North,
and back here again on the west coast,
Friday Night Pizza is back.

The cheering, the celebrating, the happy children
are all great reasons
to start up yet again, Friday Night Pizza.

And cuz it's frugal.  And you know me, I. am. frugal.  It's my middle name, you know?
Nikki Frugal McMuffin (That's not really my last name.  It doesn't even start with "Mc."  Just sounded good at the time.)

So pizza tomorrow for Friday Night Pizza will be made with a pizza dough kneaded in the bread machine.

4 1/2 cups of flour
2 Tbsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups very warm water.

Just four little ingredients start off your family's new Friday Night Pizza tradition too.

Dump them in and press the dough button.

1 hour and 20 minutes later take it out.   Punch it down.  Shape into two crusts.  Top with your favorite toppings, and bake at 500 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Guess what?  I just learned how to toss pizza dough.  I just googled "How to toss pizza dough" and watched a video.  It was way easier than I thought.  :)

This post is linked at Thrifty Thursdays and Frugal Fridays.

9 comments:

Leslie said...

That's yummy pizza dough - I can definitely vouch for it! I've gotta get busy and make some kits for my freezer though. That's such a fabulous idea and every time you remind me of that I think what a great idea it is! I just have to get to it.

Coupon Teacher said...

I love homemade pizza. I wish my hubby liked it better!

Kim said...

Have you ever froze the dough once made?

We would prob only need one crust, would be nice if we could freeze the other for the next week.

Thx for the recipe

Nikki said...

Leslie- I'm really getting into making more variety of kits. It's such a timesaver.

Coupon Teacher- Maybe you haven't tried the right recipe yet. ;) I also noticed that I do NOT like homemade pizza made in pans that do not have holes in the bottom. It makes it floppy and alters the taste. I also do not like store-bought pizza sauce. My mom's recipe is the only I go with. A few variations make a big difference. We even love this pizza cold for breakfast Saturday mornings sometimes.

Kim- Yes I have frozen the pizza dough on several occasions.

1. Label the zippered bag "dough for 1 pizza."

2 Spray the inside of the bag with non-stick spray or grease it with shortening or unsalted butter.

3. Put the dough inside.

To use:

1. Take out of freezer and place in refrigerator to thaw for about 24 hours.

2. Use as fresh!

Susan said...

Nikki.

I love your blog.

I laugh every time I read it.

Love,
Susan

Nikki said...

Dear Susan,
My blogging really took off after I discovered you. You opened the doors to many friends and carnivals like WFMW. If not for you, I might just be posting pictures for grandparents and nothing else.

I love that pizza dough makes you giggle. ;)

Love,
Nikki

Christy said...

If only I had a bread maker. That is on my birthday/christmas list. Someday. Someday!

I love pizza nights!

Nikki said...

Christy- When we lived here before and had Friday Night Pizza, I made it by hand. It wasn't until right before we moved that I got my bread machine. Here are the instructions by hand:

1. In a small bowl dissolve yeast in water.

2. In large bowl mix flour and salt. Pour yeast mixture into flour and salt; stir until flour is completely wet. Form dough into a small ball and knead on a floured surface; continue kneading until dough is no longer sticky, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let rise until double in bulk, about 45 to 60 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

4. Divide dough in half. Roll each piece of dough on a very lightly floured surface until it is about 12 to 14 inches in diameter (about the size of your pizza pan). (NOTE: Do not make dough too thin in the middle.)

5. Pick up dough carefully, folding it over your arm. Gently place dough onto pizza pan, being careful not to press dough into pan. Form crust by rolling edge of dough, again being careful not to press dough into pizza pan.

6. Spread saice onto dough very carefully. (NOTE: Too much sauce will allow cheese to slide off after pizsza is cooked.) Evenly spread shredded (or thinly sliced) mozzarella cheese (6 ounces maximum per pizza) onto pizza. If desired, sprinkle parmesan cheese over mozzarella.

7. Place your favorite toppings over sauce.

8. Bake for about 7 to 15 mintues or when crust starts browning and cheese in the middle of the pizza is bubbly. Remove pizza from oven, slide pizza from pan onto serving pan or large cutting board. Slice and serve.

TIP: Pizza pans with holes in the bottom will allow crust to have a better textrue and not be soggy.

Christy said...

thank you so much Nikki! I am so going to try this.