Homemade Pizza

This pizza crust recipe is from my friend Ginger, who got the recipe from our friend Anita (Busy Hands, Busy Minds). I did all of the kneading by hand, and I cooked the crust on 375 on the convection setting in my oven for 9 minutes.

Pizza Crust

1 cup lukewarm water
1 T. active dry yeast
2 t. sugar or honey
1 T. olive oil
1/2 t. salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)

In a two-cup measuring cup, mix water, yeast and honey. Let sit to proof.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. When yeast has proofed add to the
bowl. Add the olive oil. Mix with a heavy spoon (or with a heavy duty
mixer/food processor). When mixed well, knead by hand or machine. Hand
knead on a flour coated surface for about ten minutes or by machine for 5.
Check for elasticity by poking with your finger. It shouldn't be too dry
nor too sticky.

Place dough in a greased bowl to rise for about 20 minutes.

Punch down. Divide in half if using for pizzas. Shape onto lightly greased
pizza pans, pinching up a collar around the edge to hold the filling. Prick
dough in about 6 places.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Let dough rest for about 10 minutes while the
oven preheats. Bake for 15 minutes. Top with your favorite pizza sauce and
add other toppings. Bake for 15 more minutes or until cheese is melted and
slightly browned. Serve immediately.

Pizza Sauce

2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes.

4 cloves garlic, minced (I use the kind in the jar)

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cup olive oil (the next time I make this, I am reducing this amount)

seasonings to taste (Italian seasoning, basil, etc.)

Saute garlic in oil until fragrant, but not brown. Puree tomatoes in blender and then add tomatoes and all other ingredients. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. This makes about 4 cups of sauce. I put 1 cup of sauce on each pizza. I freeze it in 2 cup portions to be used on pizza or on pasta.

Divide one 8 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella between each pizza.

Saute one onion, and 1/2 each of a red, yellow, and green bell pepper in 1 TBS olive oil.

I added pepperoni to one of the pizzas.

Slice each pizza into 8 slices.

Total calories for each slice (1/8 of a pizza): 150 for the veggie only. Add 10 calories for each pepperoni.

Enjoy! This is a delicious, low calorie meal.