HOMEMADE PIZZA.....GREEN OR RED!

I know that pizza has become a staple in our dining but I can remember when pizza came on the scene in Wyoming when I was probably in my late teens. It was a mystery as to how it was made and how great it tasted. Everyone loved pizza.  Then it was the number one food item that could be delivered to your door, what a great last minute meal..........everyone was into it.  When we first moved to Mexico.......there was one restaurant that had pizza.........and it was made with substitute foods.......cheese was mexican cheese, pepperoni was either baloney or Fudd ham and the sauce was seasoned okay but just not the same.  But when you were hungry for pizza...........it was delicious!!

It was about this time that I started making my own pizzas.  I find it really fun to experiment around with toppings and sauces. Once you have the crust down.........you are home free and it is not nearly as difficult as you may think. Oh, I know you can buy your crusts prepared also.......but just try this once.  This is my secret recipe.........

Put one cup of really warm water in a nice big glass bowl.......doesn't really have to be glass but using glass just makes everything look better........Add 1 pkg. yeast and 1 Tblsp sugar and let stand 10 minutes.  Then add 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3 Tblsp of oil and 1 cup of flour........stir real well and then add another cup of flour. Mush this all up with your hands........turn out onto the table and knead just a bit........til smooth. Then place it back in the glass bowl that you just washed out and wiped clean and coated with a little oil.  Cover with a towel and let raise in warm spot for 1 hour.  Punch it down and.......if you want a thicker type crust......use it all for a regular pizza pan.......if you like a thinner crust......use only about 3/4 of it.  Roll out on a lightly floured counter..........or you can toss in the air.......Bob likes to do this. LOL  Place in your pizza pan and add about 1/2 of a sm can of tomato sauce.  Sprinkle your sauce with chopped rosemary, a little oregano and garlic salt. Add your grated mozzarella, top with vegys of your choice........onions, green pepper, olives, etc, etc,.......and then your pepperoni or sausage or whatever you choose........could be just more cheese.  You can be the artist and do it up any way you want to. See below for another option. Bake on the next to the bottom shelve in the oven at 400 for about 15 min.  See its easy........just have all your ingredients on hand.

Okay, another option.  I know that you can buy Pesto but I like to make mine so here is my Pesto recipe:
2 Cups firmly packed basil leaves, 1 clove garlic, 2 Tblsp of pine nuts, 1/3 cup of olive oil, 2 Tblsp of water, about 1/4 tsp of salt and pepper..........Blend that all up in the blender.......then add 1/2 cup of Parmesan and blend. I use fresh grated Parmesan.  So, now.......spread that on your pizza dough, top with your mozzarella cheese, sliced green onions, thin sliced green pepper AND.....optional, anchovies and capers.......chopped jalapenos and tomatoes!  THAT is soooooo good!