Homemade Pizza

Homemade pizza are easier than one thinks – several portions of dough can be made a head of time and frozen.  Leave a portion on your kitchen counter for a couple of hours to thaw until it can be rolled into a crust.  Toppings can be frozen until needed.  Some need to be portioned before stashing them in the freezer such as Hot Italian sausage meat and beef.

The Crust

2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
1 cup semolina flour
1 envelope instant yeast /(1 tbsp)
1 tbsp good olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 cup warm tap water (no hotter than 110 degF)

Toppings

Canned pizza sauce (Heinz, Del Monte) or homemade
Onions, finely sliced
Mushrooms, finely sliced
Hot Italian sausage or chorizo
Pepperoni
Anchovies in oil
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Pitted black olives
Italian pasta spice mix

Method

Put all the dry ingredients for the crust the Kitchenaid mix well with your hand or spoon.  Make a well in the center and pour in the olive oil and the warm water.  Turn on the Kitchenaid attached with the dough hook and slowly coax the flour into the center of the mixing bowl until a dough forms.  Add more water if necessary – the dough should be soft and pliable but not sticky to the touch.  Allowing the machine to knead the dough for about 5 minutes.

Empty the mixing bowl onto a work surface dusted with flour.  Knead dough for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth.  Place a teaspoon of olive oil in the mixing bowl and place the ball of dough in and roll it around so that it is completely covered with the oil and the mixing bowl is evenly oiled.  Cover with plastic wrap and leave it inside a cupboard or draft-free place to proof, about 2 hours.

Empty the risen down onto a floured work surface and cut it in 2 portions.  Knead them into two smooth ball, about 2-3 minutes.  Place one in a covered plastic container and freeze for future use.  Allow the other dough to rest for 30 minutes wrapped in plastic wrap.  Without kneading any further, rolled out the dough to about a 10-inch circle.  Place it on a pizza screen and and gently stretch it evenly into the desired thickness and size.  You are now ready to top the pizza.