Family Night Pizza

Family time seems to have become very rare these days. Growing up, the family was home every night for supper. Now, I hear from so many that families have to set aside special nights to get together.
Pizza Night is always a favorite around our house. Take out pizza is too expensive & frozen pizza just doesn't seem to have the right taste. Over the years, I've tried, tested, and modified a lot of pizza recipes. Here is the hands-down favorite among my fast-food lovers. It's amazingly easy and fast to make.

Pizza

Dough ~
1 tsp. sugar
1 pkg. dry yeast (or 2 1/2t. yeast)
1 Tbsp. flour
1 C. warm water
2 Tbsp. oil
1 Tsp. salt
2 1/2C. flour
Pizza pans or cookie sheets

Combine yeast, sugar, flour, & water. Let set for a few minutes to test the yeast & let it start working. Add cooking oil (or olive oil), salt, & flour; stir into a ball. (I let the dough rest for several minutes while I start the sauce, etc.)
Divide dough in halves for smaller pizzas or use the whole thing for a thick crust or cookie sheet pizza. Pat into pizza pans. Cover with sauce & toppings. Bake pizzas for about 15 minutes @ 400 degrees. (Adjust time & temp. to suit your particular taste.)

Pizza Sauce~
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans tomato sauce
olive oil or cooking oil
garlic powder
bell pepper, chopped
onions, chopped
parsley flakes
oregano
basil
salt & pepper to taste

Saute' garlic, onions, and peppers in oil. Add tomato sauce. Spice sauce with herbs to taste. Simmer to blend spices.

Toppings~
Italian Sausage (breakfast sausage works good too), hamburger, pepperoni, cheese galore ( I use all types of cheeses ... velvetta & cheddar combo is my family's favorite.) Imagination is the key to good pizza!

I've learned that a recipe is only the basic guide to a good meal. I like to enhance just about everything with our favorite herbs, sauces, & spices.

The pizza sauce can become an awesome spaghetti sauce by chopping tomatoes and using them in place of the tomato sauce. I also increase the other ingredients to add more zing to the spaghetti. The dough then becomes bread sticks. Just pinch off bits of dough, roll out like bread sticks, place on lightly oiled cookie sheet, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake for about 10 minutes. (check them frequently the first time until you know how fast they cook in your particular oven.)

May the Lord bless you.