Pizza

Friday night pizza night is an Atwell family tradition! I've tried just about every pizza recipe out there and have found the ones that my family loves the best. Some Fridays we have frozen pizza but for the most part, I make it homemade.

This recipe is the simple one that I can whip up in less than 10 minutes (the dough that is) and it tastes great! My other recipe is my personal favorite but it does take some planning ahead. I'll share that one another day.

For this recipe you put 1 Tablespoon of yeast in your bowl (I put it in my KitchenAid). Then turn your faucet on hot. Once it gets hot, measure 1 cup of water and pour it in with the yeast. Do NOT pour it directly on the yeast. Pour it on the sides of the bowl so it cools down to the perfect temperature before it hits the yeast. I do this because when I use warm water my yeast never activates. I have to use hot water and use this method for some reason. If you can use warm water and have your yeast activate, then go with your method. This is just what works for me. 

Right after, put in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 Tablespoon of honey or sugar. Mix together and let sit until foamy on top. 

Once foamy, put in 2 Tablespoons of oil and about 3 cups of flour. Knead the dough (I use the dough hook on my KitchenAid) until it pulls clean from the sides of the bowl. If it doesn't do this, add a little more flour until it does. Let it keep going until the sides of your bowl are clean and the dough does not stick to your hands when you touch. You want it to feel sticky, but you don't want it to leave dough on your hands when you pull your hand away. 

Take the dough out and place on a greased baking sheet (I usually use a cookie sheet but you could do whatever you want).

Roll out. Spread rolled out dough with butter. I do this because it helps keep my family full longer. (I only use about 1 to maybe 2 Tablespoons of butter) Put your favorite pizza sauce on (I use tomato sauce mixed with pizza seasoning mix). After this, I always put pepperoncini pepper juice (about two spoonfuls) on top of the sauce and spread around. I love the flavor it gives! But of course, that step is optional depending on what flavors your family likes. 

Add any toppings you'd like and put in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes.

As you can see, I make one side of our pizza for Daniel and I, and the other side for the children:)

We served it with grapes and carrots. 

Happy Eating!