Perfect Pizza Sauce

Here I go again on another rant of how easy and inexpensive it can be to DIY many of the everyday items we purchase from the grocery store.  Some may say "well its the convenience factor", but so many of these DIY recipes include ingredients that you probably already have on hand.  How much more convenient can you get if its already in your kitchen???  After I discovered the recipe for the Perfect Pizza Sauce I have never used store bought sauce since.  It is SO simple to prepare, it doesn't include all of the added junk that allows it to last for months on a grocery store shelf and in my opinion it is waaaay more delicious! 

INGREDIENTS:

2 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce
2 TBSP tomato paste
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. fennel seed
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. allspice
*Optional ingredients*: (I LOVE what these two optional ingredients do for the sauce, but if  you don't like spicy or if you are serving to children, I'd recommend to leave these out.)
1/4 – 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:

In a small sauce pan, combine all of the ingredients and cook over medium heat until it starts to slightly bubble, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Serve as a dipping sauce or on the dough of your favorite pizza! Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: lifesambrosia.com

Spinach Alfredo (with a TON of garlic) Thin Crust Pizza

I love love LOVE to create new recipes using things that I have on hand (my husband is going to cringe when he reads that.  For some weird reason he hates when I say "on hand"!)  The two ingredients I wanted to use up were fresh spinach  leaves and some mozzarella cheese.  Mozzarella and pizza just make sense, so thats exactly what I did!

YEAST-FREE PIZZA DOUGH:
1 1/2 C flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C water
2 TBSP olive oil
Mix the three dry ingredients together in a large bowl.  Create a well in the center and add in the water and olive oil.  Combine gradually incorporating the dry and the wet ingredients.  On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for five minutes.  Once you have kneaded, the dough is ready to be rolled out.

INGREDIENTS
a ball of yeast-free pizza dough
olive oil
1/2-1 C alfredo sauce (depends on how saucy you like it)
4 cloves of garlic; minced
1/2 ball of mozzarella; grated
garlic salt
Italian seasoning
1 1/2 C lightly packed fresh spinach leaves that have been blanched for 3 minutes
1/4 red onion; sliced

DIRECTIONS:
Pre-heat your oven to 375 F.  Roll out the pizza dough and lay it out on a pizza stone or cookie sheet. Brush with a small amount of olive oil.  Top with alfredo sauce.  Sprinkle with the minced garlic.  Add the cheese and sprinkle with as much or little garlic salt and italian seasonings as you wish.  Top with the blanched spinach leaves and sliced red onion.  Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.  Enjoy!

This is a signature dish of THE DAILY GARLIC

Pizza Dough II

Although the possibilities with pizza toppings are endless, I went with a simple half cheese half pepperoni approach tonight since the hubster and I were out numbered by kids.  I've already  thought up a few other goodies on what I can make with this dough recipe and hope to get those out to you all soon!

PIZZA DOUGH III
1 (.25 OZ) package of active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp)
1 C warm water (110degrees F)
2 C bread flour
2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp white sugar
Directions:
1) In a small bowl dissolve yeast in warm water.  Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2) In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine.  Beat well until a stiff dough has formed.  Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3) Turn dough out onto a well floured surface.  Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape.  Cover with your favorite sauce and toppings and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
 *allrecipes.com*

rolled out and fork punctures to prevent bubbling

ready to go in the oven!

all done!

tonights dinner. Mmmmm!