Monday, July 13, 2009

Easy As Pie!



It's summertime, and livin' is supposed to be easy. We need to think outside of the box; or is it the bowl? Washing dishes is a "no-no"; and barbecuing is SO in. Try this no-mess pizza dough:

Allow 2 tsps. of active, dry yeast to soften in 3/4 cup warm water; about 15 minutes or so. Add a tablespoon or two of your favorite EVOO to the liquid. Meanwhile, measure 2 cups unbleached flour and 1 tsp. salt into a gallon-sized baggie. Add the liquid; mix and knead for a few minutes....yep, knead right in the baggie. Zip it shut, being sure to remove all air, and let it rise, while you go walk the pooch.

Push the baggie inside out, moving risen dough onto a lightly floured (2nd) baggie; divide, or not, according to your needs. Joe and I like thin, thin crust and different toppings; so a couple of minis serve us well. Another little ball of dough might go around some yummy salmon and be baked; another might make a few bread sticks. Do you like fat Sicilian pizza? Use the whole batch. Hand press (no rolling pin here!) onto a cookie sheet and shape up the sides; pile on the "whatever"; toss into a hot, 400-degree oven for about 20-30 minutes, according to the density of toppings.

I like to freeze those little raw pizza rounds, take them off the pans, top them and cook right on the grill or oven rack....
ten minutes to dinnertime.

Oh yeah; That's Amore!