Pizza Margherita Using Basil from the Garden

• Easy to Prepare
• Great Tasting
• Healthy when using pastry whole wheat flour  *NO white flour needed*

I have to confess that one of the things that keeps me from making pizza more often is a mental block I have about making the dough.  It sounds time consuming like making bread, so I just never DO it!

But really, this dough took me only about 10-15 minutes tops to mix together.  I used my Bosch for all the kneading and was able to do this step earlier in the afternoon, before running an errand.  I covered it and placed it in my refrigerator so that it could do a slow rise.  A few hours later, I removed it from the refrigerator, letting it come to room temperature and finish rising on the counter.

Pizza Margherita

makes 2 – 13 in. pizzas (Serves 4-5)

 Dough:

3 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups soft pastry wheat flour

Toppings:

2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) diced tomatoes, drained

20 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

8 cups (2 pounds) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1.  In a medium sized mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Add the oil, sugar, salt and 1 cup flour.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

2.  Turn onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. (I used my Bosch for Step 1 and 2.) Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3.  Punch dough down; divide in half.  Roll each portion into a 13-in. circle.  Transfer to two 14-in. pizza pans coated with cooking spray.  Build up edges slightly.  Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

4.  Spoon tomatoes over crusts.  Top with basil, cheese, oregano, pepper flakes, salt and pepper.  Drizzle with oil.  Bake at 450° for 15-20 minutes or until crust and cheese are golden. 

Buon Appetito!

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