Other:Pineapple chunks, black beans, fresh basil, garlic, sprouts, capers
Pizza Dough
11/4 oz. envelope yeast
1 1/3cupswarm water
3 1/2cupsall purpose flour
2tsp.salt
1tsp.sugar
2Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
Chopped dried herbssuch as basil, oregano or rosemary, optional
Instructions
To assemble pizzas:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Place pizza dough on a well-floured surface, press dough firmly with your fingers to shape, and stretch gently into a 12” x 8” rectangle.
With a round cutter, cut dough into 18-20 rounds; place rounds 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Top each with pizza sauce, cheese, and your desired toppings.
Bake mini pizzas for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
To make pizza dough:
Stir together yeast and warm water in a small bowl; set aside for 5 minutes.
Mix together the flour, salt, sugar and olive oil in a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Optionally, add dried herbs like basil, oregano or rosemary. Stir in the yeast water. Knead with the dough hook or by hand on a well floured surface for about 5 minutes. If using the stand mixer, once finished kneading, remove dough from bowl and shape into a large ball by hand.
Oil two bowls lightly with olive oil and set aside. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll into balls. Place each ball into the oiled bowls, seam side down, and coat the tops with a little olive oil. Top each bowl with plastic wrap or a clean, dry towel and place the dough in a warm place (I use an oven preheated to 250 degrees F, then turned off). Let rise 2 hours.
Once risen, either use immediately by turning dough out onto a floured surface and shaping. Or, wrap dough in plastic wrap, then a plastic bag, and freeze or refrigerate to use later.