Sausage and Mushroom Pizza

My first job was working washing dishes for a pizza place owned by some relatives.  By the time I had finished working there about seven years later I could roll pizza in my sleep.  Though we made dough fresh every day I never had the chance to decode the formula.  We always used random containers to make the dough, 3 containers of this about an inch of that, none of it using cups and tablespoons.  People came from miles around, from larger towns to eat the pizza in the tiny town. It is the pie that I judge all others against. 

When I am not in the mood to eat boxed pizza I try to convince my loved ones to have homemade pizza.  I very rarely succeed because the only thing worse than boxed pizza is a failed homemade pizza.   I have to make homemade pizza when I am home alone. I have finally come to a successful pizza.  I put this right behind the great pizza that I remember. I made my pizza with the Sweet Italian sausage recipe found Michael Ruhlman’s book, Charcuterie, which is better than anything that you can get in the store.   All it takes is some dough some sauce and cheese and cook in the oven  at 450 on a  baking stone for about 10 minutes. You can brush melted garlic butter or olive oil on the crust for some extra flavor.

Pizza dough Recipe

Time: 1 hour 30 min
Servings: 6   8inch pizzas, 2   12 inch pizzas   or 1   16 inch pizza.

Ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 cup body temp water
1 egg
1 tbsp olive oil
1 package yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 ½ tsp salt

In a food processor with blade attachment or stand mixer with paddle, pour yeast, water and sugar and mix lightly with spoon.  Let stand for 10 minutes.   Add rest of ingredients and mix until flour is incorporated.  Scrape dough out of mixer and put into a floured bowl.  Cover bowl with a towel and Let set for 30 minutes.  Divide into desired number of portions and roll into balls. cover with plastic wrap and let sit for another 15 minutes. (If so desired can be put into plastic bags or wraped in plastic wrap and kept in refrigerator and keep for 2 days.

Pizza Sauce Recipe

Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8   8 inch pizzas

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 15 ounce can tomato puree

½ tsp minced garlic

1 5 oz can tomato paste

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Spread over pizza dough and top with cheese and your favorite toppings.