Friday Night Pizza!

We love to make our own pizza. Toss the dough in the bread machine, get a can of pizza sauce, some cheese, pepperoni and olives and the kids are in heaven. I always get them to add something like a pepper or mushroom to make sure we have some veggies in there. Today I made myself an eggplant tomato pizza as well.

This recipe will make 4 decent sized pizzas. My three kids and I can eat 2 of the pizzas with 2 left over for lunch or maybe we will save some for my husband when he gets home. OH and I may save him a beer too!

Here is the recipe I use for the crust, it is actually a focaccia bread recipe but works so well for pizza.

Bread Machine pizza crust or Focaccia bread recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten (optional)

• 4 cups whilte flour (I use 3 cups unbleached and 1 cup whole wheat)

• 3 Tablespoons sugar

• 2 Tablespoons instant skim milk powder

• 2 teaspoons yeast

Put ingredients in machine in order above. Set to "dough" setting.


For Pizza:
cut into 4 pieces. This will roll out to about a 12" diameter thin crust. Put this on either a pizza stone or pan with some cooking spray or corn meal. Bake at 450 F for 3 minutes. Take out of oven and put your pizza toppings on it (light sauce, at least 1 cup of cheese, your other toppings and then light cheese) then bake for 6-7 more minutes. You can put fresh basil on top for a lovely flavor.

For the Focaccia Bread:
cut the dough in half, spread into squares on baking sheets or pizza pans. Brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle on: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley flakes, basil, rosemary, feta or Parmesan cheese (or both!) and a little coarse salt. Bake in an oven preheated to 450 F for 10 - 12 minutes. Enjoy with soup, cheese or a really good olive oil with salt and pepper. This is also fabulous with home made hummus.