MaryLee's Healthy Food and Easy Cooking - Easy Pizza Dough

Hello again,

After my last blog, you now know why I am not a lover of fast food outlets, ready made meals and packaged foods, however, that does not mean I do not like eating that type of food, I just prefer to make my own.

And with that I will share with you one of the easiest pizza dough recipes I have used for many of years. Now don’t panic yet, I know the word dough just brings all kinds of horrible images to your mind, but as I said, it is easy.

1 ½ cup flour
¼ tsp (teaspoon) salt
1 tsp easy rise yeast
2/3 cup lukewarm water
1 tbsp (tablespoon) olive oil

Add the yeast to the lukewarm water, mix and let stand until it becomes foamy.

Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl, make a well in the centre of the flour. To this add oil and yeast mixture. Mix until it becomes a soft dough. If too dry and will not stay together, then add a little more water, about a tbsp at a time.

Spread some flour out over counter top or table top and place the dough and knead. To knead the dough use the palm side of your fist, place it in the centre of the dough and push it outward. Then fold dough over itself and repeat for about 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place back into oiled bowl, roll it over so all the dough is lightly oiled and cover bowl with cling film and place in warm area to allow the dough to rise. Usually takes about an hour or until dough doubles in size.

Remove the dough onto a floured surface and knead again for 2 minutes. Roll it out, using a rolling pin or the palm of your hand. Place on a lightly oiled baking pan about 10 – 12 inch. Using your fingertips spread the dough out to fill the sheet.

Cover lightly with a tomato sauce you already have or follow this to make one, take about 4 tbsp tomato paste put into a bowl, thin it down a little with water but do not make too thin, if you do, just add some more paste. Then add a drop or two of honey, one crushed clove of garlic and a tsp of oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil. Mix all together and spread over the pizza dough.

Add your favourite toppings remember to slice them thinly.

Use a low fat cheese, and cut back on the fatty meats such as pepperoni, sausage and use strips of chicken instead.

Try different toppings such as capers, sundried tomatoes, spinach, chilli peppers or a herbed cheese.

Place into a pre heated oven 425 F or 220 C bake for 20 minutes or crisp and golden.