Homemade Pizza - contributed by Deloris Ellis

Homemade Pizza

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Type - Main Dish, Bread, Beef, Pork

Creator - Deloris Ellis' Friend

Dough Recipe

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• 1 1/2 pounds (5 cups) bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt

In a stand mixer, mix together the water, oil and yeast until the yeast is fully dissolved.

Add the flour and salt. Mix on low until most of the flour has mixed with the wet ingredients.

Increase speed and knead until dough forms a cohesive ball and is smooth and silky, about 10 minutes.

Transfer dough to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Allow dough to double in bulk, about two hours, punch it down and briefly knead it again to collapse all of the air bubbles.

Remove 1/3 of the dough and set aside. Place the remaining dough in bowl and cover.

OR BUY READY MADE PIZZA DOUGH

Filling Recipe

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• ½ Pound Ground Italian Sausage (cooked)
• 5oz.Pepperoni
• 2 pounds fresh spinach, washed, dried, and chopped
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, washed and cut into 1/8" slices (optional)
• 1 small onion, cut into 1/8" slices (optional)
• ½ chopped green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ sliced black olives
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 10 ounces provolone cheese
• 16 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Salt & pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste

While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 500-degrees F.

Topping Recipe

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• 5 to 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

(Note: if you prefer, you can substitute your favorite pizza sauce in place of the crushed tomatoes).

Directions

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• Remove 1/3 of the dough and place it back in the bowl, covering tightly.
• Roll the large portion of dough out into a 16" circle. Place the dough into a lightly greased 15" x 2" round deep-dish pizza pan. The dough should come up 2" on the sides.
• Layer the dough shell with the sausage, pepperoni, provolone cheese, spinach, onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, olives, garlic, and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add Italian seasoning and salt & pepper to taste.
• Roll out the remaining dough to top the pizza.
• Cover the pizza and cut small slits in the dough to release steam.
• Top with the tomatoes and chopped basil leaves.
• Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and bake in the oven 25 minutes until crust is golden brown
• Carefully remove pizza from the oven by sliding a long wide metal spatula between the pizza and the pan, lifting the pizza out on to a cutting board.
• Cut and serve. Enjoy!