Pizza Making 101

I'm certain you know I'm not a professional chef, or legit bread maker. In fact, I have made a block of ice attempting to make almond milk ice cream once. And I've confused a Tablespoon with a teaspoon far too many times (which realllllly sucks when its salt). So if you think this is going to be a life changing pizza recipe: you are VERY wrong. Lucky for you there is an internet FULL of recipes. There are life changing recipes there.... And if you're going to look, definitely check out my friend Amber Franklin (@chefamberfranklin). Legit chef. Amazing recipes. Gluten free. Easy to adapt to your need. Simple, delicious and she's got the biggest heart too. Ahhh ok... off topic already in the first paragraph.... point, the world is your oyster my friends.... so let's not take this non-life changing bread recipe too seriously!

Now with all that said, pizza at home is not hard or tedious and you can add, substract or substitute a ton easily (a plus for me). The best part: it makes the house smell DELICIOUS! S move aside Yankee Candles (Do people still buy these?? My Mom was obsessed back in the day).... you're NOT needed when bread is baking.

Now, we have a few dough recipes.... but I'm Jewish. I love making challah every week with my Dad. One of the best traditions born out of Covid: FaceTime calls every week where we talked and made bread for Shabbat. This has become a blessing in my life as learning to make bread with someone really does bring you closer together. Not to mention a lot of laughs.... and weird moments. Us back in 2020:

No clue what sparked this. Totally normal for us.

Anyways.... if I'm going to make a pizza, 9 times out of 10 I'm going to use my dad's challah recipe.

So here's what me and Dad do:

In a large bowl add-

1/2c warm water (110-120F degrees)

1/2 Tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon yeast

1/8c honey (or sugar)

1/8c oil

Mix and let bloom. Fancy words for- let stand for 15mins, until bubbly.

Then add in-

2.5 cups flour

1/2 Tablespoons salt

2 whole eggs

Use your hands! It's so satisfying to play with dough. And you're going to roll it on the counter anyway.... why dirty a stand-mixer (such an awkward item to hand wash!!) AND the counter!!! One less thing to clean. Boom- just saved you 15mins of time. You're welcome. Ok lets continue....

Kneed the dough until Paul Hollywood says it's done. Or Yang's (my future Sister-in-Law) ancestors tell you to stop (More to come on her and her amazing ancestors, promise!). Let's say- 10mins? Sure. And if you are fancy, use the windowpane test to know its done. No idea what the means, don't even worry.... trust the ancestors. It's going to be perfect.

Now spray your used and now empty large bowl (because dough is on the counter being kneaded) with oil, place dough ball in, and cover with a towel. Let that bad boy sit for an hour (or 2.....3......6? Its fineeeeee. Last week we were busy so mine sat from 7am until 5pm. It was still delicious). The dough should at least double in size.

After an hour (or 8 if you accidently forget about it), its time to shape your pizza! Roll, squish, smash, throw your dough until it looks like the thickness and shape you desire. Again, the world is your oyster. Do whatever you want!

We are rolling people, until I learn how to throw pizza. Hey- Anyone teaching that? Message me!! I'll pay in homemade ice cream.... that isnt a block of ice. If you are anything like my husband who likes symmetry- so use this: Even rolls are SO damn helpful when it comes to important things like pizza and cookies:

Amazon Rolling Pin

Next- the controversial part: toppings.

This week I chose: rotisserie chicken, red sauce, pickled jalapenos, onions, swiss chard and sriracha.

Jeff kept it simple: pepperoni, black olives, mozzarella and red sauce.

Oh man.... forgot to tell you to pre-heat the oven. 450. Orrrrr be like us: get this epic air-fryer:

AirFryer

It's amazing for small pizzas, folds up and saves space on the counter anddddd it takes seconds to pre-heat. No one wants to be waiting for 15+ mins for their oven. If that's you, at least I saved you 15mins skipping hand-washing the stand-mixer. So we are breaking even.

Bake until crispy.... or doughy. Your preference wins. Cool, cut and eat!!!

Boom. Pizza.

Pizza is such a win for us on Fridays. One bowl, so not much to clean, simple (it will be on auto-pilot once you've done it 2-3 times) anddddd if you celebrate Shabbat- now you have bread to say the Motzi (blessing). Win-Win-Win.

So try it out. Make extra. Make it on Mondays- who cares! Jeff has NEVER complained about pizza for a meal. And if homemade is totally not your speed: I get you boo. Order! Just tag me in any pizza you eat: ESPECIALLY if its extra weird!

Happy Dinner-ing :)