365 True Things: 227/Pizza

I like pizza. There's a newish restaurant in the next town over, Gusto, that serves very good pizza (with anchovies, yes!). When we're feeling lazy about cooking but don't want to go out, we'll often get a Papa Murphy's combo pizza.

Tonight, though, we went with a Safeway kale, mushroom, and feta cheese pizza. At least it sounds healthy.

It also got me wondering how easy it would be to make a similar pizza. I found two recipes, one for kale and goat cheese (and tomatoes rather than mushrooms), the other "plain," both courtesy of Miryam at Eat Good 4 Life. I thought I'd share them, as an easy out for today's blog.

Dough for two pies
4 Tb olive oil
2 1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 Tb unrefined sugar
1 3/4 cups lukewarm water
1/2 tsp gluten (optional)
4 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp garlic powder
Dry spices such as oregano, basil, and rosemary

1. Mix the dough ingredients in a large bowl. Knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. If the dough is too wet, add a bit more  flour.

2. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

3. Halve the dough. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface where you will roll out the pizza. With a rolling pin, roll out each piece to fit a rectangular cookie sheet (about 16 x 11 in.) or a large round pizza stone. Transfer the rolled dough and let it rest for 30 minutes or so.

Or use only half the dough, to make one pizza. Freeze the other half (after it has risen and been punched down) for up to three months. Perhaps divide into individual-pizza sizes. Coat with olive oil. Place in freezer bag, squeezing out all the air. When ready to use, place in fridge overnight or for at least 12 hours. Before making pizza, let dough rest on countertop for 30 minutes, then shape into pizzas and top.

Or buy dough from Trader Joe's!!!! Much easier and quicker.
 
Kale Goat Cheese Pizza (makes 2)

3 cups fresh kale, chopped
5 oz goat cheese
2–3 tomatoes, quartered
2 lbs mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 prepared whole wheat pizza dough
1 lb tomato sauce, any favorite kind

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Use rectangular cookie sheets. Divide the sauce among the two pizzas making sure to spread the sauce to the edges. Divide the shredded mozzarella cheese between the two pizzas. Top with the chopped kale and tomatoes, followed by the goat cheese.

Bake for 16–18 minutes.

Plain Pizza Pie (makes 2)

1/2 cup tomato sauce (marinara sauce with a little tomato paste)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 Tb oregano

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Fashion dough into rounds and place on pizza stones.

Place 1/4 cup of tomato sauce over each pie (more or less as you like) followed by the mozzarella. Sprinkle the oregano over the top and bake for 15–20 minutes.