Garlic Pizza Crust

We're a house of pizza lovers. All kinds of pizza combinations, too! Pepperoni and Banana Pepper, Ham and Pineapple, Chicken and Spinach, Italian Sausage and Mushroom, Chicken and Onions, Bacon and Jalapenos, Tomato and Basil, Mushroom and Black Olives... I'd continue but I think you get the point. This pizza dough isn't exactly what most might deem 'healthy', but it's certainly better than the oil loaded crust from most pizza places. And it's so yummy! It's hard to beat warm homemade pizza dough covered with tangy saucy, cheese and your favorite toppings. 

Garlic Pizza Crust

makes enough for two large pizzas

1 packet of fast rising yeast

2 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Sugar

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 1/2 c. Warm Water

3 1/2 c. Flour

1 Tbsp. Basil (Optional)

In a large bowl, combine yeast, salt, sugar, garlic powder, basil, and olive oil. Pour in warm water, stir and allow yeast to blossom until foamy (5-10 minutes). Add in 3 cups of flour, so that the dough is coming together but still sticky. Using your hands add in the additional flour and knead the dough right in the bowl. I've never been much for kneading on a floured surface, to me it makes an unnecessary mess. Add in additional flour - you may need to add a small amount of additional flour to make the dough firm and no longer sticky. Knead for a few minutes until smooth and elastic. 

Spray another large bowl with olive oil spray or coat in a thin layer of olive oil using your fingers. Transfer dough into oiled bowl, and cover with damp towel or plastic wrap. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 

Once doubled in size, sprinkle a little flour on the dough and punch it down. Knead for an additional minute. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes. In the mean time, prepare pizza toppings. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Halve dough and place on greased pans. Alternate working each pan of dough, stretching a little at a time and allowing a few minutes of rest for each dough. 

Top dough with desired toppings (we love fire roasted tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes, and basil), and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!