Today Dishing: Pizza Night

A couple Saturday's ago, we decided to spice things up with homemade pizza night. With the help of Trader Joe's ready made pizza dough, diners selected from a variety of ingredients to create their own

signature pizzas. If you have the time and are up to the challenge, homemade dough most certainly can be used.

                                             

This pizza uses a combination of cream cheese and sour cream with dill as the  base. Smoked salmon, red onion, grape tomatoes and capers top it off. A little squeeze of lemon adds a little zip.
                                               
                                                 
A more rustic pizza starts with the sauce of your choice, prosciutto and parmesan topped with a generous helping of arugula.,


In addition to the signature pizzas, I revisited a recipe I've had for years to make $20 stuffed pizza. It's not Lou Malnati's but amazingly, it's not that far off. And because the dough does not rise before using, it's fast and convenient.


$20 Stuffed Pizza

CRUST
1 cup lukewarm water
1 package (1/4 ounce envelope) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted margarine
3-3 1/2 cup flour

TOPPING

1 27 ounce can peeled, stuffed tomatoes
1/2 tablespoon Dell 'Alpe Italian seasoning for pizza, or other pizza spices
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese

FILLING

Let your taste buds be your guide. Remember it's your signature pizza.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

For Crust
Dissolve water in lukewarm water .
Add melted margarine, salt and sugar and mix well.
Slowly add flour until reaching dough consistency.
Divide dough into three rounds.
Set aside one round.
Combine two remaining rounds into one then roll out with rolling pin into a circle.
Grease 10"x2" springform pan.
Mold dough into bottom and sides of pan.

Filling

Prepare your chosen ingredients.
If using Italian sausage, saute it first. Vegetables should also get a quick saute before adding to the pizza.

Topping
Simmer topping ingredients for 5-10 minutes.
Roll out remaining dough round into 10" circle.
Place the circle over the filling
Prick the dough several times with a fork.
Slowly pour topping sauce over top layer of dough.
Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella.

Bake 45-60 minutes.
Cover with foil halfway through.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Italian sausage $20 Stuffed Pizza

                                   

                                                                        Mangia!