Homemade Mozzarella Tomato and Basil Pizza

We don't have a very large yard for a garden. This year we did plant some tomato and pepper plants along the side of the house. We had some nice tomatoes on the plants after the deer ate the tops of our plants.

I decided to use my fresh tomatoes to make this easy homemade mozzarella tomato and basil pizza. The basil is also fresh from our herb garden.

It was later in the day so I wanted this to be ready quickly. I started by making the dough and using Fleischmann's RapidRise Instant Yeast.  I always have some RapidRise yeast on hand just for these quick recipes.

Ingredients for the dough:

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package of RapidRise Yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons of light olive oil
1-1/4 warm cup water

Add the flour, yeast, and salt into a mixing bowl.
Add the oil and water.
Mix by hand until you have a nice soft ball of dough. For mixing, I used my KitchenAid Stand Mixer on low speed until the dough was formed.

Set the dough aside and cover for about 20 to 30 minutes.

While I waited for the dough I cut the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. I sliced five small tomatoes as thin as I could without slicing my fingers. Then I cut fresh mozzarella cheese into about 1/2-inch cubes. I used about 2 cups of cheese or 1/2 lb.

I greased an 11-inch x 17-inch pizza pan.  I spread the dough to the edges of the pan and layered my sliced tomatoes first.

I added 1 clove of minced garlic, sprinkled on some Romano Cheese, and Penzeys Pizza Seasoning. Next, I added mozzarella and fresh basil.

I baked my pizza on the center rack at 450 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until the crust was golden brown. Jamie and the boys stopped over that evening and this pizza was gone in 30 minutes or less.

Homemade Mozzarella Tomato and Basil Pizza 

Toppings:

5 small fresh tomatoes (Sliced Thin)
1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese (1/2 inch cubes)
15 to 20 fresh basil leaves
 A Handful of Romano cheese
3 tablespoons Penzeys Pizza Seasoning or (Italian Seasoning)
1 clove minced garlic

What's so great about pizza is that you can make it just the way you like by adding your favorite toppings. You can choose pepperoni, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, or whatever you like. I like it just the way I made this one. You really taste the fresh tomatoes and basil.

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy it.

This Penzeys pizza seasoning is a wonderful addition to your fresh or frozen pizzas. And, I don't know what I would do without my Norpro pastry and pizza dough roller. The small contoured edge brings the dough right to the edge of your pizza pan. Then just press with your fingers for a perfect crust. 

Pizza Seasoning By Penzeys Spices 3.8 oz 3/4 cup bag (Pack of 1)Norpro Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller 4in/10cm

 

Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza

I've been wanting to make my own cast iron deep-dish pizza ever since I visited Chicago some years ago. If you're ever in Chicago don't miss trying the famous Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

I enjoy cooking in my cast iron skillets so I thought the deep dish pizza was a perfect fit. Pizza is just one of those dishes that is so versatile. Choose the toppings that you like meats, veggies, and even fruit.

I made this one with Italian sausage, pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese. So, I'll call this one a deep-dish meat-lover pizza.

This dough recipe is a little different than my Easy All-Purpose Dough Recipe 

Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza: Dough

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons white sugar

1-1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup light olive oil

1 package dry yeast

First, I dissolved the yeast by adding the warm water and dry yeast into my KitchenAid Stand Mixer bowl. While waiting for that to happen, in a separate bowl I mixed together the flour, cornmeal, basil, salt, and sugar.

Then, I added the olive oil to the water and yeast. I began adding one cup of the dry mixture at a time while mixing with the dough hook.

When the ball of dough was formed I kneaded the dough by hand on a floured surface turning it over about five or six times. Lightly coat it with oil put it in a covered bowl in a warm place and let it rise for about one hour.

Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza: Toppings

1/2 lb. Italian bulk sausage cooked and crumbled

10 slices of pepperoni

1-1/2 cups fresh mushrooms

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Parmesan Cheese (grated)

Romano Cheese (grated)

Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza: Sauce

1- 28oz. can crushed tomatoes
1- 14.5oz. can diced tomatoes (drained)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

I mixed all of the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and set it aside while preparing the toppings.

The dough recipe is enough to make two deep dish pizzas so I divided it in half. I used the other half to make a regular pizza.

I spread half of the dough into the bottom of my greased 10-inch cast-iron skillet and worked it up the sides.

I layered the bottom with shredded mozzarella, added some sauce, and then the sausage and pepperoni.

Next, I added a little more sauce and the mushrooms then a little more sauce over the mushrooms and more shredded mozzarella. Then sprinkle the Parmesan and Romano cheese over the top.

I didn't fill it all the way to the top as it will rise while it's cooking. It's a good idea to place a cookie sheet under the skillet while cooking just in case it spills over.

I covered the pan with tin foil and baked it on the center rack at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Then Baked for 12 more minutes uncovered until the edges were golden brown.

My first cast iron skillet deep dish pizza was a huge success. One nice slice of this about makes a complete meal.

Lodge 10 Inch Cast Iron Chef Skillet. Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Pan with Sloped Edges for Sautes and Stir Fry.

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS, Onyx Black

Norpro Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller 4.25in/10

Fresh Tomato Spinach Pizza

I'm always in the mood for pizza, especially if I'm making my own. There is just something special about making pizza with fresh ingredients. This is an easy fresh spinach pizza recipe.

Get my fresh dough recipe from my older post here: How to Make Homemade Pizza. This recipe yields me about three smaller pizzas or two large ones.

So I whipped up the batch of dough in my KitchenAid stand mixer and was waiting for it to rise. Fran knew we had some fresh tomato, baby spinach, fresh mozzarella, and feta cheese in the refrigerator. We always like to experiment with fresh ingredients, and pizza is so versatile that way you can use just about anything you want.

Here is what we used and how we made this fresh spinach pizza. The amount will depend on your taste. We really didn't measure anything we just added these fresh ingredients as we went along.

Easy Homemade Pizza Recipe:

• Roll out the dough in your pizza pan and brush it will olive oil
• Next, add fresh sliced tomatoes, enough to cover the  dough
• Layer on some fresh feta cheese
• Now add some fresh baby spinach all over the top
• Add some sliced mozzarella
• Sprinkle fresh basil and some Italian seasoning
• Season to your taste with garlic, salt, and pepper.

Our pizza ready to go in the oven

I preheated the oven to 450 degrees and baked this on the middle rack for 16 minutes. Then moved the pizza to the bottom rack for another 3 minutes just to make sure the bottom was golden brown.

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy!

The Ultimate Pizza Bible - Over 25 Pizza Recipes forTigerChef TC-20416 Homemade Pizza Making Kit, 6-Piece Pizza Pro Set,Breville BOV450PP11 Non-Stick Pizza Pan, 11-Inch, BlackCodream® Stainless Steel Pizza Cutter Wheel Strong Handle Never Breaks

& 

Why I Love My KitchenAid Stand Mixer

In today’s busy world we need all the help we can muster, especially in the kitchen. My KitchenAid is a real time saver for me.

I have a passion for making homemade pizza, bread, and homemade pasta. My mixer makes short work of the dough for any of these.

Just add the ingredients attach the dough hook and turn it on. I have a nice batch of fresh dough for my homemade pizza in about 5 minutes.

There is nothing like the smell of homemade baked goods coming from the oven. What did you say? You like homemade cookies; well this mixer will help cut the time to mix your favorite cookie dough or batter.

 With the time you save you could be helping the kids with their homework, or talking with a friend on phone. I love oatmeal raisin cookies, and mixing up a batch in the KitchenAid is really easy.

Here is my quick and easy pizza dough recipe:

5 1/2 to 6 cups of all-purpose flour
2 package of dry yeast
3 tablespoons of oil or Crisco
1 teaspoon of salt
2 1/4 cups of warm water

All I have to do now is put all of these ingredients into my Kitchen Aid bowl, attach the dough hook and turn it on. In about 3 minutes I have enough dough to make 2 fresh homemade pizzas.

  Get the recipe for homemade pizza here

Some Features of My Mixer

I have the one pictured it's the 6-quart Professional Mixer, and it comes with a Flat Beater, Wire Wisk, and A Dough Hook. You'll find that these tools are able to take on many tasks to assist you in the kitchen.

Here is a fresh batch of dough for my homemade Cavatelli.

  Get the recipe here for homemade Cavatelli.

A video of the many attachments and their uses

As always Thanks for stopping by and enjoy.

KitchenAid RRK150BK 5 Qt. Artisan Series Stand Mixer - Imperial Black (Renewed)KitchenAid NEW 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer with Double Flex Edge Beater KSM70SK, Empire Red

 

How to make Homemade Pizza

This mouth-watering homemade pizza recipe is handed down from my grandmother. My grandma Liz made the best pizza in the world. Whose grandmother didn't?

When I was a kid and knew she was making pizza I would make a dash for her house, which was easy because she only lived two blocks away.

Oh, the wonderful smell and the anticipation of waiting for it to come out of the oven. This is my recipe for homemade pizza; it's probably not as good as my grandmother's but close and besides it's homemade what more could you ask for?

Here is what you need to make the dough:

· 2 pkg. active dry yeast

· 2-1/4 cups of warm water, not too hot

· 1 tsp salt

· 3 tbsp of Crisco or oil

· 5 to 6 cups of all-purpose flour

This is how you make the dough:

1. In a measuring cup, add the yeast to the warm water and let it stand.
2. In a large bowl or your KitchenAid mixing bowl, add the flour, Crisco or oil, salt.
3. By now the yeast should have mostly dissolved in the water. So pour it into the bowl with the flour.
4. Mix by hand, or set your KitchenAid mixer on the low setting using the dough hook
5. Mix until the dough is smooth, and let the dough rise for one hour

This will yield about 3 pizzas 12” to 14” depending if you like thick crust or thin. I like thin crust.

Mixing the dough in my KitchenAid

Now we can make the sauce:

· 2 Can (28Oz.) of crushed tomatoes

· 2 or 3 tbsp of light olive oil or vegetable oil

· 1 glove of garlic Finley chopped (you can also add garlic powder)

· 1 Tsp. of oregano or Italian Seasoning

· 1 Tsp. salt - a little pepper

I like to cook my sauce first. Pour the tomatoes into a 1-quart pot, add all of the ingredients. Stir and bring to a boil, not a roaring boil, as soon as you see it start to bubble turn off the burner.

My pizza sauce on the stove

Preheat your oven the 450 degrees, spread the dough in your pizza pan, add your sauce, and sprinkle some Italian seasoning and Romano cheese. I bake two pizzas at a time for about 20 minutes, one pizza on the middle rack and one on top. After 9 or 10 minutes switch the racks.

Now you'll notice that I don't have any other topping on my pizza because this is the way my grandmother made it and I like it this way. 

The greatest thing about pizza is that there are so many toppings. Here are some that I do like to add sometimes:

Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Italian Pork Sausage, Anchovies (not my favorite), Green Peppers, Hot Peppers, Mozzarella Cheese. To add your toppings shorten your bake time by about 2 minutes, take them out and add your favorite topping, and put them back in the oven for 2 minutes.

As always Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed my recipe.

KitchenAid KSM3311XAQ Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart, Aqua Sky BlueBaking Sheet Set, 3-Piece Cookie Sheet Set with Silicone Handles, Steel Baking Pans Set, Durable Baking Sheets for Oven, BPA Free Cookie Sheets for Baking Nonstick Set, Sheet Pan - Black Baking Pan