Pizza and Breadstick Dough

 

Everyone was starving, so this was the best picture I got of the kids boring old cheese pizza.  I made a Hawaiian one for my husband and I .

 Staying with the heart theme for Valentine's Day, my son wanted heart-shaped pizza for dinner.  I have a great no-rise pizza dough that we love, especially on those nights I need a quick dinner idea, but if I plan ahead, I love this dough.  I have even frozen it with great success.  After the first rise, punch it down and wrap it with saran wrap and tin foil; stick it in the freezer.  When you are ready to use it, take off the saran wrap and tin foil and let it rise for a few hours (since it is frozen, this time will depend on how warm your house is).  Set your oven to 200 or 250 degrees, then place the frozen dough in a bowl sprayed with cooking spray and cover it lightly with a kitchen towel. This speeds up the process and helps the dough rise. 

Breadsticks and Pizza Dough
Printable Recipe:
1 1/2 c. warm (105-115 degrees) water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 1/2 c. flour

In a large bowl (the bowl of your mixer, if you have one), combine water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly. 

Add salt and stir. Add 1 1/2 c. flour and mix well. Gradually add more flour (usually between 3-4 cups, depending on your elevation and your humidity) until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and it barely sticks to your finger.

 Spray a glass or metal bowl with cooking spray and place dough in the bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
 
If making pizza dough:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove dough from bowl and roll into a circle (if using a pizza stone) or a rectangle (if using a cookie sheet).  Poke a fork all over the dough. Place pizza sauce over dough, add cheese, then add whatever toppings you like.  Here I cut fresh mozzarella cheese into squares/rectangles and place over topping along with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  Cook for 20 minutes, or until the bottom is browned and cheese is bubbly.  



If making breadsticks: 
after letting it rise, roll out each piece of dough into a snake and then drape over your forefinger and twist the dough. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining 11 pieces of dough. Try to space them evenly, but it's okay if they're close; pulling apart hot bread is one of life's greatest pleasures!

Cover pan and allow dough to rise for another 30 minutes. When there's about 15 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 425. When done rising, bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Rub some butter on top of the breadsticks and sprinkle with garlic bread seasoning or the powdery Parmesan cheese in a can and garlic salt. Or you could sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar.

Recipe from: ourbestbites