Pizza Dough – 2 different kinds

Some recent comments from friends on Facebook inspired me to post a couple of recipes for pizza dough. The first is for a whole wheat dough. My favorite pizza using this dough is a The Veggie. Ricotta cheese(with oregano and garlic stirred in) instead of tomato sauce, green peppers, red onions, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes cut in half, black olives, mozzarella and fontina cheese.

The second recipe is for regular pizza dough. My favorite pizza with this dough is The Heater. Red sauce with a little red pepper flakes sprinkled on the sauce. Then spicy italian sausage, pepperoni, jalapeños and shredded pepper jack cheese.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 package quick-rising yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup hot water (120-130°F)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1. Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a food processor; pulse to mix. Combine hot water and oil in a measuring cup. With the motor running, gradually pour in enough of the hot liquid until the mixture forms a sticky ball. The dough should be quite soft. If it seems dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water; if too sticky, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour. Process until the dough forms a ball, then process for 1 minute to knead.
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Coat a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place it, sprayed-side down, over the dough. Let the dough rest for 10 to 20 minutes before rolling
.3. Place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack;
preheat oven to 500°F or highest setting. Roll and top the pizza as desired
(we suggest a 13-inch circle) and bake the pizza until the bottom is crisp
and golden, 10 to 14 minutes. Serve immediately.

Pizza Dough

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F
2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine. Beat well until a stiff dough has formed. Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F
3. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape. Cover with your favorite sauce and toppings and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Buon appetito!

Dog Biscuits – Elvis Style!

Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits

Have you seen how expensive dog treats are? Some more expensive than human treats. So why not make them yourself and save some money? A friend sent me a recipe for these dog biscuits which I am sure my puppy Bailey is going to love. Try it out and let me know if your pooch may have been Elvis in a former life.

Ingredients:

1 egg

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup mashed banana

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 egg white, lightly beaten, for brushing

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F  Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Stir together the egg, peanut butter, banana, and honey in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Stir in the flour and wheat germ; mix well. Turn dough out onto a floured board and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter, place on prepared baking sheet, and brush tops with egg white.
3. Bake biscuits in preheated oven until dried and golden brown, about 30 minutes, depending on size. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Bailey

“Mouthwatering Monroe County” Cookbook

Do you have a recipe you would like to share? How about shring it with the Monroe County History Center? They are going to publish another awesome cookbook. You can visit their web page for directions on submitting your recipes, either online or using a form available at the site. http://www.monroehistory.org/cookbook2.htm

If you have not visited the Monroe County History Center, you should. While you are there, stop in the gift store and pick up the first recipe book!