If you are like most people around this time of the year, there is little or no time to cook! But, there is hope, if you plan it just right. The truth is, this farm girl loves fast food, as in it does not take a lot of time to make! And if you are like me, a “real” food lover, it has to be good! And because it is almost next to impossible to get good food on the run, this recipe is just for you. It’s good, it’s fresh and you can easily make it at home.
And you know that brick oven texture that all pizza lovers love, well I have a simple way to achieve that airy crust that is sure to impress the pizza connoisseurs around your house.
So don’t tarry. Let’s make pizza!
Ingredients
Crust
2 cups lukewarm water
1 Tablespoon Dry Active Yeast
1 Tablespoon Organic Sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup brown rice flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 – 2 cups unbleached A/P flour
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for Dough, plus extra for drizzling
Tip: If you have a Vitamix, you can make your own rice flour by grinding brown rice using the flour and nut grinding container.
Instructions
Pour water into the bowl of a stand mixer and attach the dough hook, or large bowl (if kneading by hand). Add yeast and sugar and whisk to mix well. Allow to rest for about 3 minutes or until yeast wakes up and big bubbles begin to form.
Sift together flours and salt. Gradually blend flour and olive oil into yeast mixture. If mixing by hand, stir in flours making sure to blend flour after each addition to make sure it is blended well. If necessary, add additional A/P flour to get a slightly firm dough. Do not add too much flour. Knead until dough becomes elastic; 4-5 minutes.
Add dough to a bowl that has been coated with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in bulk; at least 30 minutes. You can also make the dough a day ahead and let rise in the refrigerator overnight for use the next day. This is a real time- saver if you don’t have a lot of time to get dinner on the table.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. And, here’s the secret to the crust. Place a grated cookie cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray. Be sure to coat well. Gently lift dough and place on top of rack. Brush dough with olive oil.
Topping
Coat with a thin layer of marinara sauce. Add mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese. I also like to add a bit of freshly grated black pepper. Add chopped caramelized onions, sautéed spinach and fresh mushrooms (squeeze out extra liquid) and roasted garlic. Drizzle top with olive oil.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until dough is crusty and a golden brown. Carefully remove pizza from the oven and allow to rest for a couple of minutes. Slide pizza off rack onto a cutting surface, cut and serve.
Because life should be good. How good is that…..
Copyright 2016 Bonnie McDaniel Good Living
