pizza pizza!

In a former life I think I must have looked like this:

because there is nothing I love more than a greasy steaming pizza piled with everything! {okay, maybe sushi, in which case I would have looked like this >>>

but that is a WHOLE other post!} For this post let's stick with the pizza pie and even better a HOMEMADE pizza pie.

If you a frequent visitor to the blog world and/or you love to cook and eat, then you MUST know who Ree Drummond is...better known as The Pioneer Woman...or as I like to call her - heaven's chef!

For Christmas, my wonderful brother-in-law bought me her cookbook {impressive I know!} and I haven't put it down since...a las....The Pioneer Woman's pizza dough!

What y'all need:
1 teaspoon (1/2 packet) dry active yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Step 1: Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into a bowl; sprinkle yeast over the water

Step 2: Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl

Step 3: With an electric mixer on low speed, drizzle in the olive oil until just incorporated.

Step 4: Gently stir the yeast/water mixture

Step 5: Drizzle the yeast/water mixture into the flour/oil mixture; mix until the dough forms a ball.

Step 6: Drizzle a little olive oil into a clean bowl. Toss the ball of dough into the bowl and turn over to coat in oil.

Step 7: Cover the bowl with a moist kitchen towel and set in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

{Here is what the risen dough should look like}

...unless you have mutant dough like I did and it doesn't stop rising even after its in the fridge overnight and slightly resembles the old horror story character The Blob!

Now it's time for the tastier part...building your masterpiece!

{Preheat your oven to 500 degrees...and reassure your husband that it DOES go that high}

Step 8: Split risen dough in half {it makes two pizzas} and using your hands, stretch the dough to the desired shape, pressing the dough into the pan with your fingers.
{Note - if you are not using a baking stone, then make sure to oil your pizza pan first}

Step 9: Fill all the finger prints with ooey gooey cheese, sauce and as many toppings {I recommend pepperoni, feta, sausage and as many veggies as your hubby will eat...notice there are none on mine...} as your little italian heart desires! Cook 8-10 minutes, until edges are golden brown.

Now that you have seen how Delicious that pizza looks, I know you will want to make it and once you start with Ree's recipes, you. can't. stop! You can find a link to the cook book below...Happy cooking!




- Lindsey Nicole