Saturday Night Dinner - PIZZA

Pizza, Arugula w/Olive Oil, Lemon Juice & Parm & Tomatoes

Slice of Pizza with Prosciutto & Arugula

PIZZA DOUGH -

1 Packet Fleischmann's Yeast

6 C All Purpose Flour

3 tsp Salt

3 tsp Sugar

3 tsp Olive Oil

2 +/- C Warm Water

In the bowl of a mixer (I use a Kitchen Aid with a dough hook), put 1/4 C warm water and sprinkle in the yeast with a pinch of sugar. Stir to dissolve and let the yeast come alive - it will begin to bubble. Add in the next four ingredients and start the mixer on low speed. Gradually add in a cup of the water and then a 1/2 C more...You'll see if the flour will take all of the water or even more...The =/- is there because on some days you'll need more water and some days you'll need less - depends on a variety of things (like humidity or lack there of, water in the flour, etc.). Turn up the speed on the mixer and let it go for about 10 minutes...This will develop the gluten. Remove dough from bowl, olive oil the same bowl, put the dough back in and cover with a damp cloth. This can be made the night before and refrigerated at this point, or it could be left on the counter, or if needed sooner - it could be placed in a warmed oven (to the lowest setting) then turn off the oven and left to rise for about an hour. About 30 minutes before you want to start baking, preheat the oven to the highest setting. Divide the dough - depending upon the size pizzas you want to make 4-6. Roll into balls and let rest on a floured counter covered with the towel.

I use a combination of fresh mozzarella (sliced) and "low-moisture" mozzarella (grated). For sauce I use the liquid from a can of San Marzano Tomatoes.

I do not roll the dough with a rolling pin...I just stretch into the shape it wants to be made into. I sprinkle some flour on the peel, then add a couple spoonfuls of tomato juice/pulp, sprinkle on the grated mozzarella and place slices of mozzarella all around. Slide off of the peel onto a pizza stone

A few things that make this so much easier - I have a well-loved peel and a pizza stone.