Introduction: Awesomely Amazing Pizza

About: I enjoy being creative. A drafter in my day job I'm a tinkerer by nature always wanting to know why and how things work and if there is a better way to do it.

This is definitely a favorite in my house and although pizza from scratch sounds like a daunting task it is in fact quite simple. In this Instructable I'll show you how to make your own dough and sauce completely from scratch to create a deliciously satisfying household hit. This recipe feeds about 4 people and makes 2 medium sized pizzas.

Step 1: The Dough

Ingredients
3 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour  (460 grams)
2 Teaspoons Instant Yeast
2 Teaspoons Sugar
2 Teaspoons Salt
1 1/3 Cups Water (room temperature)
Olive Oil

Equipment
Stand Mixer (optional)
*Scale (optional)
Bowl
Whisk
Measuring Spoons

*The scale is how I always measure flour in any dough recipe but is not absolutely necessary.

Combine the flour, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of the stand mixer, or a regular bowl if mixing by hand (using the hand mixing method reserve a quarter cup of the flour), and give a quick whisk. Add the salt and water and turn the mixer on low until the dough starts to come together then turn it to medium  (#4 on a Kitchen Aid) for about 2 minutes. The dough should be tacky but not sticking to your finger. If it is sticky add a bit of flour and mix for another minute or so (this applies to the mixer as well as the hand method).

Step 2:

Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface for shaping. You want to cup the dough lightly in your fingers and work around in circles until it forms a nice tight ball this should only take a minute or two. Pour some olive oil in a clean bowl and roll the dough in it to coat. Cover the bowl with the dough in it, place in a warm place and let it rise until doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour - 1 1/2 hours.

Step 3: The Sauce

Ingredients
1 28 oz. Canned Crushed Tomatoes
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Garlic Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
2 Teaspoons Dried Oregano
2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
2 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

Equipment
Pot or Saucepan
Garlic Crusher
Can Opener
Wooden Spoon
Mason Jars (for the extra sauce)

Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a pot or saucepan stir and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes with the lid on stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Lets Talk Toppings!

You can of course put whatever toppings you prefer on your pizza. Here I'm making two seperate pizzas so one will be salami and peperoni and the other half cheese and half pulled pork (sounds not so good I know but it turns out to be awesome). I find that pizza is a great place to use up those leftovers that accumulate in my fridge and for those odds and ends I want to use up. I'll try any combo at least once.

Step 5: It's Cooking Time!

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees. I divided my dough into two pieces to make it easier to work with. Place the dough in the middle of the pizza pan (or any pan, pizzas don't have to be round after all) and work it out from the center. Try to keep the thickness even throughout and if the dough seems a little stiff let it rest 5 or 10 minutes. If your pizza isn't exactly round it's alright.

Add sauce to the top of your dough. How much you add is entirely up to you and your preference. I add the salami before the cheese so it doesn't burn in the oven then the cheese then the peperoni. Using the olive oil leftover in the rising bowl I brush it onto what will become the crust of my pizza and out it in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

Step 6: Eating Time

Remove the pizza slice and serve! Put whatever sauce you have leftover in a container, I use mason jars, and keep it in the fridge. I make pizza probably once a week so it doesn't last long. It is also perfectly acceptable if you happen to be a failure at dough or short on time or motivation to pick some up in the deli of your grocery store, I admit I've done it before, but use the sauce recipe contained in this Instructable and I promise you won't regret it.

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