Homemade Pizza Dough

After my post on baking for the freezer, I had quite a few requests for my pizza dough recipe. So, after much delay, here it is!

Ingredients:

1 c. warm water
1 tsp salt
3 c. flour
1 tbsp yeast

Directions:

I prepare the dough just as I would for making bread. I use my kitchen aid mixer for the kneading. Let the dough rise, and then roll it out into shape, then let rise again for about 25 minutes.

Once the dough has risen the second time, I do a prebake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Once cooled, wrap for the freezer. I used two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil.

When ready to use, simply pull from the freezer, cover with toppings, and bake for 20 minutes.

For this pizza I made a pizza sauce with diced tomatoes, garlic and Italian seasonings. I topped it with colby jack cheese and squash and zucchini that we had in the freezer from last year's garden. It was fantastic!

Homemade pizza is quickly becoming a Friday night tradition in our home. We abstain from eating meat on Fridays, so I've been looking for yummy, and simple, meatless meals.

Blessings,

 

Homemade Pretzels and Cheese Sauce

Jacob and I thought it would be great fun to make soft pretzels! We always enjoy working together in the kitchen, and soft pretzels are a delicious treat...so it was a win-win!

 Pretzels

 Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. warm water
1 tsp. yeast
1/4 c. brown sugar
3 1/2-4 c. flour

1/2 c. baking soda
3 c. hot water

coarse kosher salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add in the brown sugar and flour and mix well. Let rise till doubled in size.

Roll out dough into ropes. To shape into pretzels, I took the ends and twisted them together.

Add baking soda to hot water. Dip pretzels into this mixture. Then sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake for 7-8 minutes.

Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:
2 T butter
2 T flour
1 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
1 c. shredded cheese (I use colby jack or cheddar)
1 tsp. prepared mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional, but we like a little kick)

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Mix in flour and salt. Stir continuously until simmering. Slowly pour in milk. Continue stirring over medium heat until thickened. Stir in cheese and mustard. Continue stirring until all of the cheese has melted. Serve warm.

We will definitely be making these again soon!

In Jesu et Maria,