When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

That's Amore. When the world seems to shine Like you've had too much wine That's amore.

         Oh Dean Martin, how you have given us so much deliciousness to use in the kitchen.




         Momma O came to visit this weekend, and what better way to enjoy each other's company than in the kitchen with a bottle of wine? Okay, maybe it was 2 bottles of wine. I can't think of any other way to do it! We were thinking and thinking of what to have for dinner.  It was just going to be the 3 of us; My Dad was here too but Mr. P was away on business and wouldn't be returning until late.  We finally decided upon a pizza that Momma had eaten with her sister in Calgary. After a quick grocery run, we were ready to go.



First, we had to start with the dough, as that takes some time to rise.


The Dough
1/2 cup room temperature light cider (beer, or sparkling wine work just fine as well)
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
1 tbsp. honey
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. olive oil

1. In a bowl (I use a 2 cup measuring cup), combine the cider, water, yeast, and honey. Stir and let stand until frothy (about 5 minutes).
2. In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, salt, and any other spices you'd like to add to your dough (I added a couple pinches of a Greek herb mix). Drizzle the oil into the flour mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon to spread it around. 
3. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a soft ball is obtained. (I generally just get in there with my hands and mix, it's much easier).
4. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead a few minutes while flouring to avoid sticking.
5. Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl, and cover with a clean cloth. Let rise for about 1 hour in lukewarm area away from drafts.
6. Using hands, divide dough into 2 equal parts (if you'd like).
7. Use dough immediately, or lightly oil before storing in a plastic bag. It can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours, or frozen.

As the dough is rising, chop up all the other ingredients you'll need and do your dishes, that way you're ready to roll (no pun intended) when the dough is done.

To prepare the dough for toppings:

1. Lightly flour your CLEAN counter.
2. Knead the dough a bit and form it into a ball.
3. Using a rolling pin or wine bottle, flatten the dough into the desired shape. If you're making it on a cookie sheet you might want to do a rectangle. Make sure to roll it so it's larger than the pan you're baking it on.  The excess will form the crust.
4. If you're using a pizza stone: sprinkle corn meal over the stone and carefully lay your rolled dough over top.
   If you're using a pizza pan: Lightly oil the pan using a spray or a paper towel coated in oil. Sprinkle corn meal over the pan and carefully lay your rolled rough over top.
   If you're using a cookie sheet: Place parchment paper over the pan. Sprinkle corn meal over the pan and carefully lay your rolled rough over top.
5. Roll the edges of the dough so they no longer hang over the edges of the pan.
6. Now, you're ready to start adding toppings.

To bake your pizza preheat oven to 425°F, place your pizzas in the oven and bake until cheese is bubbly and crust begins to brown.

Popular Pepper Pizzas

Classic Pizza

1. Spread Pizza sauce over the prepared dough.
2. Sprinkle some cheese over the sauce.
3. Place sliced pepperoni, peppers, onions, and mushrooms over the cheese and sauce.
4. Sprinkle the remainder of the mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
5. Bake until cheese is melted and golden.

Roasted Red Pepper Pizza

1. Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Make alternating layers of bell peppers, chilies, onion, and garlic in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil.
2. Cover and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the peppers have softened. Remove the lid and reduce the temperature to 350 °F. Bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until the peppers are very soft and beginning to char.
3. Cut chicken breast into strips and fry with your choice or seasonings. Use water instead of oil to help keep the chicken moist.
4. Spread pizza sauce on prepared dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over sauce then lay chicken breast strips, peppers, and onions over top. Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese over the pizza and bake. 

Greek Pizza

1. Spread Greek Salad dressing over prepared dough (Greek herb mix, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil).

2. Cover the oil with fresh spinach.

3. Cut grape/cherry tomatoes in half and place on spinach.

4. Cut good Kalamata Olives in half and spread over the spinach and tomatoes.

5. Sprinkle diced peppers (we used 1 fresh cayenne and 1 sweet pepper) over olives, spinach and tomatoes.

6. Sprinkle cubes of feta cheese over the pizza.
Bake until crust and feta begins to brown.

Enjoy!

Mel