SANDRA'S HOMEMADE PIZZAS from SCRATCH

A fantastic recipe for two 14" pizzas you are able to prepare
from beginning to end in 1-1/2 hours,
although an hour of that time is kicking back while the dough proofs...

Yield:2 (14-inch) pizzas

Prep: 20 min

Proof/Rest: 1st Proof = 1 Hr -- 2nd Rest = 10 Mins.

Bake: 12-14 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Crust (makes two 14" pizzas):

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 envelope instant/rapid dry yeast = 2-1/4 tsps. (no need to pre-proof)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1-1/2 cups water, 110 degrees

2 tablespoons olive oil

--Plus spray to oil bowl and top of ball, plus rolling surface/board

Toppings (divide each topping ingredient in 1/2 for each pizza):

1 (14-oz. jar) prepared Classico Pizza Sauce, divided

4 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella, divided; plus more for sprinkling on top

1 (5-oz. pkg.) Applegate Naturals uncured pepperoni (3" rounds), cut into quarters, divided

METHOD

Combine the flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball. Add more flour if too wet or more water if too dry, but only 1 teaspoon increments at a time. Let machine knead dough ball around hook for 2 minutes.

Scrape dough into a large sprayed bowl. Knead a few times and form into a ball. Flip ball over, spray top of dough, including underside of bowl lid. Cover bowl, place in oven (with no heat) turning on just the appliance light. Let proof for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Remove proofed dough from oven.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees, placing rack 1 level up from bottom rung. Spray and sprinkle two 14" round pizza pans lightly with corn meal; set aside.

Turn dough out onto a lightly sprayed surface (with oil), and divide into 2 equal sections. Cover balls of dough by turning the same empty bowl upside down over them, and let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll each ball out into two separate 14" crusts, place each on prepared pizza pan.

Top each crust with 1/2 pizza sauce, 1/2 shredded cheese, 1/2 of the quartered pepperoni, and finishing light sprinkling of more mozzarella cheese.

Bake, one at a time, in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, letting each pizza rest 5 minutes prior to serving. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:

These are the topping ingredients I had on hand, but a multitude of other options would be tasty too, i.e., Canadian Bacon and Pineapple vs the Pepperoni, etc.

SANDRA’S 8-INCH GRILLED TURKEY PEPPERONI PIZZAS

Absolutely fabulous when you want

grilled, flavorful, and tasty pizzas in a hurry

without a lot of fuss…

Yields: (2) 8” Pizzas

Prep: 5 Mins.

Grill: 8 to 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg. of 2 (8”) Boboli pizza crusts (these stand up to grilling)

½ cup pizza sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese, divided

14 turkey pepperoni slices

2 tablespoons roughly chopped peperoncini

2 tablespoons roughly chopped, jarred fire-roasted red bell peppers

--1/4 teaspoon yellow cornmeal

METHOD

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.  Spray a foil-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with a light dusting of yellow cornmeal, and set aside.

Spread half of the pizza sauce on each of the crusts.

Equally, sprinkle half of the cheeses over the sauce.

Next, layer the turkey pepperoni, and sprinkle with the fire-roasted red pepper, and peperoncini.

Finally, sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.

Place pizzas on the prepared baking sheet.  Grill, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and let stand for 5 minutes, slice into quarters, and serve. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip: Feel free to alternatively bake the small pizzas in a hot oven preheated to 450 degrees using the same method and baking for the same amount of time, although you’ll be lacking the great smoky flavor.

SANDRA'S CRAZY-GOOD CHEATER MINI PIZZAS

A super quick snack, 
or a lunch or dinner option...

Serving: (1)
Prep: 3 Mins. |
Broil: 2 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 whole wheat hamburger bun, split in half
1 tablespoon pizza sauce (For recipe, click here: Homemade Pizza Sauce)
8 pepperoni slices
2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, shredded
pinches of Italian seasoning herb blend

METHOD

Preheat oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with tin foil, and set aside.

Split the hamburger bun in half, and toast in toaster until lightly brown. Spread 2 teaspoons of pizza sauce over each, and then layer each with four slices of pepperoni, and top with 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Place on baking sheet, and broil for about 2 minutes, until cheese is melted and lightly brown – Enjoy!


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Tip: I always have assorted shredded cheeses I purchase in bulk, and then break down and store in small freezer Ziploc bags, including pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto. This way, I always have the makings for quick snacks or lunch fixings on hand.

SANDRA'S HOMEMADE PEPPERONI PIZZA and TWISTY BREADSTICKS

This is a traditional 
All-American version...

(Click here for: Sandra's Homemade Pizza Dough)

--(This recipe makes 2 medium pizzas, although we’ll just be making one, and using the other ½ of the dough to make breadsticks-See below)--

Sauce Prep. and
Baking Pizza: 35 minutes total

***Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup yellow onion, diced

¼ cup red bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (14.5 oz. cans) Italian diced tomatoes, drained and chopped

Pinch of red pepper flakes
Pinch of kosher salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
½ teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
1 teaspoon honey

***Toppings:
¼ package of pepperoni slices
½ can of sliced olives
2 cups mozzarella cheese

--Garnish with fresh chopped basil

METHOD

Preheat oven to 475 degrees, and set rack to a low position in your oven. Prepare pizza pan by brushing it with olive oil, then sprinkling it with cornmeal, and set aside.

Roll out pizza dough into a round, slightly larger than pizza pan. Place rolled-out pizza dough onto pizza pan, and fold under edges to form a lip; brush all over with olive oil, and par-bake for 5 minutes, remove and set aside.


Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium-high head, and add the olive oil, onion and bell pepper, and saute until onions are translucent. Add the garlic and continue sautéing for 30 more seconds. Add the remaining ingredients, and bring to boiling point, and then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until sauce reduces and thickens. Place the sauce on the par-baked pizza crust, and continue baking for 15 minutes, until crust and cheese are lightly golden.

***Breadsticks

Meanwhile, begin forming breadsticks:
(Click here for recipe: Twisty Breadsticks - Homemade)

SANDRA'S ZIPPY ZUCCHINI CRUSTED PIZZA BAKE

The zucchini, egg, and cheese crust
provides for a healthy and tasty base for a
most-excellent zippy pizza bake your
family will devour...

Prep Time: 10 min |
Cook Time: 50 min.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Crust:
· 4 cups grated zucchini, drain, and gently squeeze excess liquid
· 3 eggs, lightly beaten
· ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
· Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
· Olive oil

***Layers:
· 1 lb. extra-lean burger (preferably moose or deer)
· 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
· 1 (green/red/yellow) bell pepper, chopped
· 1 cup crimini (or button) mushrooms, chopped
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
· 1 can sliced black olives, drained
· 1 small pkg. pepperoni slices (divided)
· 1 jar pizza sauce (or make mine by clicking here: Sandra's Homemade Pizza Sauce)
· 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
· 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
· 1 cup pepper-monterey jack cheese, shredded

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium bowl combine the zucchini, eggs, parmesean cheese, and salt and pepper, to taste. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with oil, and spread crust mixture evenly over bottom of dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 15. Remove crust and brush with olive oil and bake for 5 minutes longer, until lightly golden, and then remove and set aside while reducing oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the burger, add the onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes. Layer meat and vegetable mixture on top of crust, ½ the pepperoni slices, all the olives, spoon over the pizza sauce evenly, sprinkle the three cheeses in order listed, and then artfully arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes just until the cheese gets bubbly and top of pizza bake starts to brown on sides. - Enjoy!