Family style dinners: Pizza

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - Personal Chef Bill Collins,  showed us how to how to make some tasty pizzas you can make with your kids!

Basic Pizza Dough

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Olive oil for baking
• the toppings of your choice (attached)

To get the dough ready:

1. Combine the water, yeast, and sugar until dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. In large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and combined. Add oil, knead until dough is elastic.
3. Lightly oil large bowl. Gently shape dough into ball and transfer to bowl. Turn over several times to coat lightly with oil, then cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 80°F to 85°F, until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
4. You’re now ready to make a pizza
5. Dough can be refrigerated and/or frozen

This recipe will make 2 12” pizzas, or 4-6 smaller ones.

Pizza Sauce

• 1 28 oz can tomato puree
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• 2-3 teaspoons dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients.  You don’t even need to heat it
2. Makes almost 1 quart, enough for approximately 4-6 large pizzas
    

Philly Cheese "Steak" with Portabella Mushrooms Pizza

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
• 4-6 portabella mushroom caps, thinly sliced
• 2 (or more) tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices American cheese singles (organic cheese tastes VERY good)
• Pizza dough

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over a medium heat, add the olive oil.  Sauté the onion for 5 minutes, until it’s starting to cook through.  Season with a bit of salt and pepper. 
2. Add mushrooms and water, and cover.  Sautee for five minutes, until mushrooms are cooked through.  Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
3. Place cheese on top, and let it sit for a few moments, to begin melting.  Then, stir the cheese into the mushrooms and onions.
4. Place on top of pizza dough and bake for 10-15 minutes, enjoy!