It's Pizza Time!

 

 I love a good pizza

and I'm making one tonight.

I'm making the crust from scratch

and I'm making a fresh tomato sauce from my garden.

I peeled, cored, seeded, juiced, and chopped 3 large tomatoes.

Chopped half an onion and some basil.

Put all in a pan over low heat,

added a teaspoon each of sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.

Let it cook down for about an hour.

Taste test.

While the sauce was cooking,

I made my pizza dough.

Pizza Dough

1 package yeast

1 tsp sugar

1/2 cup warm water

about 1 3/4 cups bread flour

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Pour water in a small bowl.

Sprinkle yeast over top,

then sprinkle sugar on top of yeast.

Stir to dissolve.

Let the yeast "proof."

Gradually stir in flour, just a little at a time.

When you can gather it into a shaggy ball,

turn it out onto a lightly floured board

and knead away, adding more flour if dough is too sticky.

When the dough is smooth and elastic,

put it in an oiled bowl, turning to coat,

and let it rise until doubled in bulk.

Work the dough, spreading it out.

Dimple it, then pour in some olive oil.

I used a blood orange infused olive oil.

450° oven for about 10 minutes,

until the crust is golden.

Provolone slices on the bottom.

Some fresh tomato sauce on top.

Add some sautéed portabellas and spinach.

Sliced black olives.
And there are pepperoni slices going on.
I slice them thinly and put them on a paper towel.
Nuke for about 22 seconds to get rid of all that grease.

Grated Mozzarella on top.

Back into 450° oven until bubbly,

about 8 minutes.

Best pizza I've had in some time!