Crusty Pizza Dough

Since I've moved to Texas, I have been missing Trader Joe's tremendously. One of the things I loved to get there was their already-made pizza dough. It came in white or wheat, it cost 99 cents, you rolled it out, filled it and baked it, and it was so easy for quick weeknight-pizza. This week though, I found this recipe in the book that came with my KitchenAid mixer. It is very easy and very delicious! Problem solved!

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. olive oil
2 1/2-3 1/2 cups all purpose-flour
1 Tbsp. cornmeal

Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl. Add salt and olive oil, and start with about 2 cups flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to speed 2 and mix about 1 minute. Continuing on speed 2, add remaining flour, about 1/4 cup at a time until dough clings to side of hook and cleans the sides of the bowl. Knead on speed 2 about 2 minutes longer. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover. Let rise in warm place about 1 hour, until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down. Brush 14-in. pizza pan with olive oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Press or roll dough across pan, forming a collar around the edge to hold toppings. Add toppings and bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.

Note: The original recipe says to start out with 2 1/2 cups flour and then keep adding, but I think it just calls for too much flour. You just add enough to get the right consistency. Also, you can add a little wheat flour to give it a nutty/crunchy flavor.

Veggie Pizza Pie

I got this recipe off the Picky Palate website. I was so excited to try it, but I was also nervous because I didn't want to get my hopes up, and have it not turn out. Well, we had it tonight and I really liked it. I actually got a decent pic of it on my camera to post, but my camera is dead and needs to be charged so I used a pic from her website. Enjoy!

16 oz whole wheat or white pizza dough (I pick it up at Trader Joes or Fresh and Easy)

1 Cup ricotta cheese
¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese, like Kraft

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped

2 Cups fresh broccoli florets,

pinch of salt
½ Cup Roasted red bell peppers, from can or fresh
1 ½ Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Spread and press one piece of dough into the bottom and sides of a 9-9 ½ inch round cake or tart pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta and parmesan cheese until well combined. Spread into pressed pizza dough.

2. Place olive oil into a medium skillet over medium heat. Saute spinach until wilted down, about 3 minutes. Place evenly over ricotta cheese layer. Place steamed broccoli florets over spinach and season with a pinch or two of kosher salt. Layer roasted red peppers, then mozzarella cheese over top. Press out remaining piece of dough and place over filling, tucking edges inside of pan. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cooked through.

3. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan or cutting into wedges