Mikes Homemade Pizza Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and shortening. Stir in the yeast mixture. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion until tender. Stir in tomato paste and water. Season with sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, basil, oregano, marjoram, cumin, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
• Recipe makes 2 (12 inch) pizzas. Divide dough in half, and spread onto pizza pans. Cover with sauce, and desired toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the flour, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Stir to combine, then add 1 cup water. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together into a rough ball. Continue mixing at medium-low speed until the dough forms a smooth, silky ball, about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a tight ball, set in the bottom of the mixer bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until the dough has roughly doubled in size, about an hour.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Cut the dough in half; you should have enough for two 9-by-13-inch baking sheets. You can make both pizzas now, or hold the dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Lightly oil one or two 9-by-13-inch baking sheets. Add the dough and press down on it to spread it toward the edges. You won't be able to get it all the way to the edges, so spread it as much as you can without tearing. If the dough isn't stretching well, cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then stretch again.
• For the sauce: Put the tomatoes, olive oil, basil, garlic and some salt in a blender and puree until smooth.
• For the topping: Spread the sauce all the way to the corners of the dough. Top the sauce with the mozzarella and sprinkle with black pepper and chile flakes if using. Bake until the dough is crisp and the cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes. Top with the basil and some Parmesan and serve.

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add the Tomato Puree; watch out for splatterage!
• Add everything else and simmer uncovered on low, stirring frequently, for 30-60 minutes, until desired consistency.
• Tips:.
• Freeze leftover sauce until ready to use; When using on pizza dough, thaw to room temperature; Thaws nicely in the microwave.
• Don't use too much pepper.
• You can mince a baby carrot in the garlic press after microwaving it for 5-10 seconds- just cut it in half before putting it through the press- and that equals about 1/2 Tablespoon.
• Either Light or Dark Brown Sugar is fine, but the dark brown sugar makes the sauce DEEP red- almost maroon.
• If you want the sauce even sweeter, just add more Honey next time.

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix first 4 ingredients.
• Mix water and oil; add to flour mixture.
• Turn onto floured surface; knead for 2 minutes.
• Place in a greased bowl; turning to grease top.
• Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
• Punch down; place on 12in, greased pizza pan.
• Pat into a circle.
• Topping: Mix first 5 ingredients and spread over crust.
• Put a few pepperoni slices on top of sauce.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzeralla; 1/2 the monterey jack, and 1/2 the parmesan.
• Put the rest of the pepperoni on.
• Repeat the cheese layer.
• Bake at 400* for 20 minutes or until light brown.