Garlic-Parmesan Pizza Dough and Menu Plan

We have pizza and movie night every Friday, which you know if you read my blog with any regularity.  I've experimented with many different pizza dough recipes.  I finally decided to experiment and make one of my own.  This is what I came up with and my family loves it!

Garlic Parmesan Pizza Dough
1 1/2 cup luke warm water
1 tsp dry yeast
1 Tbsp  honey
2 cups unbleached white flour
2 cups whole wheat white flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp parmesan
1 clove garlic

Preheat over to 500 degrees
Add yeast and honey to warm water and allow to sit until bubbles form on the top of the mixture (about 5 minutes).  Place flour and remaining ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add yeast mixture.  Blend on medium in kitchen aid mixer with hook until combined and dough forms a ball.

Allow to rise for 1-2 hours.  I've let it rise all afternoon and it seems to be alright.

Top with your favorite cheese and toppings and bake 8-10 minutes, until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.

This week, I'm back to work.  I'm trying to go back to simpler meals so that when I come home from work, I don't have a lot of prep to do!  First graders will wear you out!

Sunday: Beef Brisket with veggies and Cheese Biscuits
Monday: Chicken Cordon Blue Sandwiches and sweet potato fries
Tuesday: Dinner out
Wednesday: Macaroni and Cheese
Thursday: Veggie Quesadillas and Spicy Bean and Corn Salad
Friday: Pizza and movie night

I'll be linking to Menu Plan Monday, Mouthwathering Monday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday,  Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits,  At the Table Tuesdays, What's on the Menu Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, and What's for Dinner?

Monday, June 7

Since its the last week of school, things are pretty nutsy in my life!  I'm doing a quick Menu plan, then I'll be back next week with lots of fun stuff, since I will be on summer vacation!!!

Monday: chicken strips with mango dipping sauce (I'll post the recipe later)

Tuesday: sliders with chipotle mayonnaise and sweet potato fries

Wednesday: burritos

Thursday- I'm not sure.  Last day of school, track practice, I may go home and sleep!!!

Friday: homemade pizza

Have a great week, I will catch you when I'm on summer break!

More here at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Anything fun on your menu this week?

Its going to be a crazy week!

I was just thinking about what this week is bringing and I'm a little shocked! We eat out about once a week, sometimes twice, but rarely like its going to look this week!

Crockpot Monday: Thai Peanut pork tenderloin (karate night)

Tuesday: My fundraiser at Aqui in Campbell for Team In Training

(Here's my fundraising page if you'd like to check it out)

Wednesday: My hubby will probably be on a bike ride, my stepson will have leftovers, and I am going to my son's kindergarten class mom's night out

Thursday: Out with my running team after track workout

Friday: The beginning of vacation, its homemade pizza and movie night!

Pizza Recipes

I've been forgoing our normal pizza take-out over the last month for homemade pizza dough and our own toppings. Its yummy, fresh from the oven, easy, and healthier than getting it at the store. For just a little extra prep and a little forethought, you can do it too! This recipe comes out of a cookbook I've had for about 10 years! Its called Pizza by James McNair. You can still get it at Amazon.

I make either the regular pizza crust or the whole wheat. Both recipes are delicious and enjoyed by everyone in my house.

Basic Pizza Dough-
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 c warm water
1 envelope active dry yeast
3 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c olive oil

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough-
Everything above, but exchange 2 c of all purpose flour for 2 c whole-wheat flour

Dissolve sugar in water and mix in yeast. Allow yeast and water to sit for 5 minutes. mixture should be light beige with a film on the top when its ready. I use my kitchen aid with the paddle attachment. You can also use your hands. Mix flour, olive oil, yeast mixture, salt and olive oil (except 1/4 c of flour) together. Dough should be soft, but not sticky. If its still sticky, add the last 1/4 c of flour. If its not very soft, add a little more water (1 tbsp at a time)

Add a little more olive oil to the bowl and place the dough in the bowl. Turn to coat dough with a layer of oil. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 45 min-1 1/2 hours.

Cover with your favorite toppings and bake at 500 for 10 minutes. I always preheat the pizza stone with the oven and put the pizza in using a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.

Easy pizza sauce recipe:
1 can tomato sauce
2 tbsp fresh herbs (I use basil, rosemary, and oregano from my garden)

Simmer in a sauce pan on low for about 20-30 minutes until it thickens.