Personal Size Pizza Recipes

PERSONAL PIZZA

Steps:

• Prepare both packages of pizza dough according to directions. On a floured surface, knead dough several times; divide into six portions. Roll each into an 8-in. circle. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes. , Spread pizza sauce over crusts to within 1/2 in. of edge. Top with beef, onion, green pepper, olives and cheese. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

HOMEMADE INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS

Steps:

• (this dough can also be made in a bread maker):
• Put warm water in a large bowl, add the yeast and let stand for about 7 minutes for the yeast to activate. Don't use hot water or you will ruin the yeast.
• Whisk in honey and olive oil. Add flour, then the salt and knead until well-combined (use a dough hook on speed 2 if using a mixer). The dough should be sticky.
• Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until doubled in volume (45 min to 1 hr at room temp or 25-30 min in a warm 100˚F oven).
• Combine all sauce ingredients in a small sauce pan.
• Simmer over medium/low heat until it is reduced by about a third. It needs to thicken or the pizza will be too juicy. If you need to cool sauce to room temp faster, transfer sauce to a bowl and place in a bath of ice water.
• Generously sprinkle baking pans with cornmeal; this keeps the crust crisper and prevents sticking to the pan. You can also oil pans if you don't have cornmeal.
• Grease a clean work surface and your hands with olive oil. Transfer dough to oiled surface and cut into three even pieces. Form each piece into an 8" round pizza crust using your hands and transfer to baking pans lined with cornmeal.
• Spread 1/3 pizza sauce on each pizza leaving a 1/2" border of dough all the way around. Add plenty of mozzarella cheese and any of your favorite toppings; this is where it gets really fun! (See list of toppings above for supreme pizza or Greek Pizza).
• Bake pizzas at 415 degrees F for 15 minutes or until the crust is crisp and toppings are cooked. Cheese will be melted and turn golden in a few spots.
• (Tip for the Greek Pizza: once the toppings are on, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. After the pizza comes out of the oven, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. It's so good!)

PIZZA DOUGH FOR PERSONAL PIZZAS

Steps:

• Heat the water and milk in a small saucepan over low heat until lukewarm, about 40 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the liquid and stir. Let sit until the yeast is dissolved, up to 5 minutes.
• Stir in the olive oil, flour, and salt. Once the dough is combined, knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Brush a large bowl with olive oil. Add the dough and lightly brush the top with olive oil. Cover and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 3 hours. Or, place in the refrigerator overnight to rise slowly. Punch the dough down and divide into the appropriate number of portions as directed in the recipe you're following. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and cover until ready to roll out.

HOMEMADE PERSONAL PIZZA

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit until creamy (about 10 minutes).
• Stir in olive oil, whole wheat flour, salt and 4 cups of white flour into yeast mixture.
• Mix in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
• When dough has pulled together, put onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 4 minutes).
• Lightly oil another large mixing bowl, place dough in bowl and turn to coat.
• Cover with damp cloth and put in warm place until dough has doubled in size (about 1 hour).
• Deflate the dough and put onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 3 equal parts and form into rounds. Cover rounds and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into desired shape. Cover dough with your favorite toppings and bake for about 20 minutes or until crust and cheese are golden brown.