Pizza Sauce:
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
a few basil leaves
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (20 oz can Italian tomatoes, chopped and drained )
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
makes sauce for 4 individual 9 " pizzas
Heat 2 tablespoon of oil add Italian spice when the spice sizzles add minced garlic saute for a few seconds add basil leaves, saute for a few seconds add ground black pepper saute add the canned tomatoes let it come to a boil, add tomato paste and salt, let it cook for 5 minutes, turn the heat off, let it cool and keep it in the refrigerator until ready for use.
To make base:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon of yeast
1 teaspoon of sugar
2 teaspoon of all purpose flour (for yeast to rise)
1/2 teaspoon of salt or to taste
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 cup of water use bottle water. The chlorine in tap water inhibits yeast from rising
First prepare the yeast for fermentation. To a pan with lukewarm water add sugar, 2 teaspoon flour and yeast. Let is stand for 15 minutes in a warm place like the oven with the light on but power off until it has started frothing.
To made the dough, to a mixing bowl add 2 1/2 cups of flour, oil and salt.
Slowly add the fermented yeast mixture and make a dough. Leave the dough in warm place or in the oven with light on but power off for at least 4 hours for the dough to rise. While it is rising, knead the dough now and then to remove the air in it. The dough needs to be very elastic. You can prepare the dough overnight if so desired.
Divide the dough into 4. Using your hands or rolling pin, stretch it into a 9" round discs.
Topping:
2 tablespoon of mozzarella cheese (use rennet free)
A few black olives
Or use your favorite topping (suggested eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, onion, tomato - except for the onion and tomato, preferably lightly cook the vegetables in a little oil before using as topping)
Assemble the pizza:
To each individual pie, first apply some tomato sauce, next apply some cheese and last of all the topping.
(Bake at 550 degrees closest to the heating element for 5 minutes. Then move it to the middle rack and bake for 5 minutes)
Pizza's are so popular everywhere. The base is crispy, the sauce is tangy and the cheese makes it gooey. The result is a very satisfying meal or snack anytime.
