This Way or That Way

Pizza Perfect.

Mission accomplished in finding the perfect wheat bread recipe for me.

I've been on the prowl for the perfect homemade pizza crust and pizza sauce. I think we've arrived. I've always dreamed of having Pizza Friday's every Friday. I've imagined my kids coming home from school after a long, hard week and looking forward to pizza and a movie. Maybe I hadn't found the perfect match until now since Roundabout is setting off to the wild, wide world tomorrow (sniff, sniff). But alas, here is the creation.


And since I love to share with you all....

Bread Machine Pizza Dough

1 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

DIRECTIONS :
Put apple juice, butter, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast in a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting, and press Start. Remove dough from bread machine when cycle is complete. Roll or press dough to cover a prepared pizza pan. Brush lightly with olive oil. Cover and let stand 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spread sauce and toppings on top of dough. Bake until crust is lightly brown and crispy on the outside, about 24 minutes.
**You can make this without a bread machine, of course.


Exquisite Pizza Sauce

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.