Mamma Mia I LOVE My Pizza!

As you can probably tell already, I am totally into making ordinarily somewhat junk food into slightly healthier versions. So I took this basic pizza dough recipe from my mother and added my own 'healthified' personal touch.

 Pizza Dough

1 T sugar

1 C warm water

1 envelope yeast

3 1/4 C bread or unbleached all purpose flour ( I used whole wheat flour)

1 t salt

1/4 C olive oil

*(I also added about 1/4 cup ground flax seed).

in small bow, dissolve sugar in warm water (warm to the finger but not too hot)

Sprinkle yeast over water and stir gently until it dissolve (1 min)

When yeast is properly mixed with water at proper temperature, a smooth, beige -colored mixture.

Let stand in warm spot till thin layer of foam covers surface (about 5 min), indicating  yeast is effective.

Combine 3 C of flour with salt in large bow.

Make well in the center and pour yeast mix and the oil.

Using wooden spoon vigorously stir the flour into the well, beginning in the center and working toward the side of the bowl, till flour is incorporated and the soft dough just begins to hold together.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Dust hand with flour and knead dough gently.

When kneading, very gradually add just enough of the remaining 1/4 C of flour till dough is no longer sticky or tacky.

About 5 minutes of kneading

Continue kneading till dough is smooth, elastic and shiny, 10-15 min longer

Do not over knead, Only knead until it feels smooth and springy

Shape dough into a ball and place in a well oiled bowl, turning to coat completely all side with oil.

Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set to rise in a draft free warm place until doubled in bulk (about 45 min for quick rising yeast or 1 1/2 hr for regular yeast)

With fist, punch down dough as soon as it has doubled.

Shape into ball, pressing out all air bubbles.

Makes one 15-16 inch pizza or 2 12-inc pizza

Calzone: Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until done and slightly browned, approximately 13-16 minutes. The calzone will be extremely hot, so let it cool 15 minutes or so before eating.