Colorful Cooking at Home: Homemade Pizza

A homemade pizza party is in store for Mark and Terri Aycock as we wish Mark well transitioning to retirement. Homemade pizza dough is easy and affordable but takes a little time to prepare, so luckily Mark & Terri will have more time (and flour) on their hands! Through Mark and Terri's generous support, the Aycock Teaching Kitchen at Gibbs Cancer Center - Pelham was brought to life and we look forward to cooking many more colorful meals there.

Adding color to your plate with plant foods is one of the most effective ways to feel your best. Colorful Cooking at Home is designed to inspire, educate, and showcase how simple and delicious dishes can be! Join host Registered Dietitian Kerri Stewart from the Joe R. Utley Heart Resource Center each month as she navigates different topics and dishes with the common theme of color.

Pizza Recipe:

DOUGH INGREDIENTS
*Makes enough for 2 ~12inch pizzas
1 cup white whole wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
1 ¾ cups white all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp.) instant yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
½ Tbsp. dried oregano
½ Tbsp. dried basil
1 cup lukewarm water
Nonstick cooking spray
*Dough can be refrigerated or frozen if not used immediately

PIZZA INGREDIENTS
1 jar pizza sauce (marinara or spaghetti will work too)
1 ball or log of pre-sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
1 peach, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves, pre-rinsed
Balsamic glaze (optional but recommended)

DIRECTIONS
To make dough:
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, garlic powder, oregano and basil. Stir in the water until combined, then use your hands to knead the mixture into a soft dough.
2. Continue to knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Kneading directly inside the large bowl makes cleanup easier. Shape into a smooth ball. Clean out the bowl and dry it thoroughly. Spray with nonstick spray and place the dough ball back into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a dish towel and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about an hour.

DIRECTIONS
To make pizza:
1. Preheat the oven to 415*-425* depending on your oven. Place the oven rack at the bottom of the oven.
2. Transfer the risen dough to a floured work surface and punch it down. Cut dough in half and form back into balls. Gently stretch and lift, going around in a circle. Alternate this with laying the dough down and pushing the center outward to make the circle larger. Do so until the crust is about ¼ inch thick.
3. Transfer to a baking sheet or pizza stone and add toppings.
4. Spoon the desired amount of pizza sauce onto the dough. Add toppings. If the crust is exposed, add a small bit of oil to prevent it from drying out while baking.
5. Bake for 10-13 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Add fresh basil one minute before the end of the baking time.
6. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting. Drizzle balsamic glaze across slices (optional).