Basic Pizza Dough

I, along with the rest of the United States, love pizza.  We do order out for pizza a decent amount but we also love to have make your own pizza nights here at the house.  Basic pizza dough obviously makes great pizza but it also is great for making strombolis and calzones.

This recipe makes 2 balls of dough.  I like to go ahead and throw one in the freezer so i'm always prepared.  If you're cooking for one then cut the loaf into smaller pieces.

Pizza Dough:
(Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook)

1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 3/4 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon table salt
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Fine cornmeal, for dusting

In a small bowl , sprinkle the sugar and yeast in the warm water.  Mix with a fork and let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.

In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt to combine.  Add the yeast water mixture and the olive oil; pulse until the mixture comes together but it still slightly sticky.  Turn the dough out onto a slightly floured work surface; kneed four or five times until a smooth ball forms.

Place dough ball into a slightly oiled bowl, smooth side up.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Punch dough down, fold onto its self four or five times.  Place back in the bowl, smooth side up, and let rise for an additional 30-40 minutes.

Punch dough down again.  Turn out on a floured surface and divide the dough into 2 pieces.  Knead each piece of dough 4 or 5 ties and turn into a smooth ball.  If freezing, wrap the dough in plastic and let thaw in the refrigerator before using.  Otherwise roll out and top with your favorite toppings.

Leonardo's Pizza By the Slice

Leonardo's Pizza By the Slice

1245 West University Ave

Gainesville, FL 32601

352.375.2007

 Check out their menu here .

Every town has their "go-to" pizza joint.  In my opinion this is Gainesville's.  It's been around since I was a child and pretty much has stayed the same.  It's a counter service restaurant and honestly, the staff isn't going to go out of their way to help you, but the food is good.  You can't have everything.

They have all the traditional pizzas: cheese, pepperoni, meat lovers, etc.  They also have a pretty good vegan slice, portobello mushroom, and greek slice.  You can get a thick slice or a thin slice.  Talk about options.  One must have when you're there are the garlic rolls.  They're amazing (and come with a side salad).

Here is a slice of their cheese with their organic salad and rolls.  The organic salad comes with mixed greens, feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and raspberry vinaigrette.  It's my favorite.

If you're looking for a good bite to eat stop by Leo's and give it a shot.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

I made this pizza for my Grandma's birthday last year.  It was a huge hit so we decided to make it again.

Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Pizza:


1 ball of pizza dough.  I get mine from the grocery store bakery.
2 cups cooked chicken breast halves (chopped and seasoned; I seasoned mine with garlic and italian seasoning)
8 slices cooked bacon, thick sliced is best, cut up
1/4 cup red onion, thinly chopped
Chopped tomato
2 garlic cloves
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 ounces cream cheese
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425.

Roll out pizza dough onto your pizza pan or cookie sheet. Prepare sauce.

In saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Mix in the cream cheese and stir until melted. Stir in the whipping cream and garlic powder. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat and simmer, stirring often. If sauce is too thin, sprinkle in some flour 1 teaspoon at a time. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. It should be creamy.















Spread the ranch dressing on your dough first then spread the Alfredo sauce on top.

Sprinkle some of the mozzarella cheese on the pizza. Add your chopped chicken, bacon, tomato, and sliced onion. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.  I like to have most of my toppings under the cheese but if you like your toppings on top lay all of the cheese down first.















Bake at 425 on the bottom rack of oven for 20 minutes or until crust appears done on the bottom.

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