Monday, February 28, 2011

Doughlicious




Recently, a friend of mine asked me for a good, healthy pizza dough suggestion.

Here it is.

Now, the healthy part of pizza is really in the flour you choose to use.

I like to use Sprouted Spelt Flour. It's my latest obsession.

Really, you can use any kind of flour. Try adding some wholegrains to your diet.  Even if you go half wholegrain and half white, it's a step in the right direction. Baby steps right?



This recipe uses yeast. You mix it with warm water and let it concoct for a while. 10 minutes or so.




I like adding a shot of garlic powder to the flour before mixing.

A shot = a shake.

You can also add herbs.

Whatever floats your boat.

A little hint: try switching your spices and seasonings over to organic ones. As your old stuff runs out, switch over.  Frontier makes small organic seasonings so it doesn't break the bank.



Oh HONEY.

Raw Honey.  Much more nutritious than the boiled, strained, all nutrients removed kind of other honey.

Now, don't go chucking everything in the trash. Just replace it slowly with more whole and living foods as you run out of the other stuff.

Or throw it away.  Whatever your piggy bank allows.



Mix up the dry ingredients: Flour, garlic powder, salt.

I love recipes with pantry ingredients. Sigh.



Mix up the dough with a spoon or spatula, or your bare hands.

I don't like getting my hands all grody.  Sorry. I'm a child of the 90's. Sometimes those words still slip out. (Ha! my spell check didn't like grody!)

I like to wear food grade gloves.

I'm such a girl.



Mix. Mix. Mix. Just till combined.



Cover with a pretty towel. Or napkin. Or whatever clean thing you have.

I'm such a clearance-a-holic. I can't help myself.

It's just so wrong for me to pay full price.

Oh. Cover it for 15 minutes or less if you are in a hurry and more if you want it real fluffy.

If you put it in a warm spot it's happier dough.

I turn my microwave on for 1 minute and THEN put the dough in. It's warm.  The dough is happy.

We need happy dough.



Divide and conquer.  Or not.

Put it on a sprayed cookie sheet or pizza stone.

Spread it out. You want the homemade look. Trust me.  It's so artisan.


Prick the dough with a fork.

Bake in a 400 degree (F) oven for 10 minutes.

Then add your toppings.

Toppings post up next!

Awesome Pizza Dough

2 1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 cup warm water
2 cups flour (pick a good kind!)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 Tablespoon honey

Dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for 10 minutes.
Combine flour and salt.
Make a well and add yeast mixture and honey.
Mix well. Cover and let rise.
Spread dough into desired shape on greased cookie sheet or pan.
Prick with fork and Bake @ 350 (F) for 10 minutes till crispy.
Add toppings and Bake @400 for 10 minutes.

Ciao!
The Lunch Lady

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