A Discovery

My favorite pizza is the classic Margherita. Slap on some fresh tomatoes, moz and basil and I'm in heaven.
Tanner and I love making homemade pizza. We do so a lot. It's relatively easy, cheap and delicious. We've tried every combination of pizza crust and sauce. Trying for the perfect pizza.

We found it.

In a pizza recipe book
Please enjoy:
Medium crust:
1/2 oz fresh yeast or 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 C warm water
2 C bread flour+extra to dust hands and work surface
1/3 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (optional) --it's better with it

1. Put the active dry yeast in a small bowl and add about 1/2 C of the warm water
2. Stir gently until the yeast has dissolved. Set aside until frothy, about 10 min
3. Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture, oil (if using), and enough of the remaining warm water to obtain a fairly sticky dough.
4. Dust a clean work surface with extra flour, Scrape all the dough out of the bowl onto the work surface. Shape into a firm, round ball.
5. Knead the dough for 8-10 min. THIS is important!!! When it is firm and no longer sticks to your hands or the work surface, lift it up and bang it down hard a couple of times. (Then it says that this banging develops the gluten...that's not entirely true, you were developing it the whole time you were kneading...)
6. When ready, the dough will be smooth and elastic and show definite air bubbles beneath the surface. Place it in a large oiled bowl, and cover it with a cloth. Set aside to rise for 1 hour.
7.Press into whatever you're cooking on with your hands. Bake at 500 for 10-15 min with whatever toppings you choose!

SAUCE-this is the winner!
Blend one can of diced tomatoes in a food processor (or blender works fine)
Salt and Pepper it to taste.
We added red pepper flakes and a bit of garlic salt...like one dash

Add fresh basil, tomatoes from your mom's garden preferrably and mozzarella cheese. DELICIOUS!!!

Also, school is great. We're dancing our little feet off and are as happy and busy as can be. Tanner went mountain biking and came back really beat up. Should we make a new blog now?