Dough Ingredients:
Yeast : 1 Packet (1 ½ teaspoon)
Bread flour : 3 cups
Sugar : 1 teaspoon
Salt : ½ teaspoon
Olive oil : 3 tablespoons
Water : 1 cup
Sauce Ingredients:
Diced tomatoes : One 14 ½ oz. Can
Sweet Basil : 1 ½ teaspoons
Oregano : 1 ½ teaspoons
Powered Garlic : ½ teaspoon
Salt : ½ teaspoon
Rosemary : 1 or 2 pinch(es)
Crushed Red Pepper : Optional
Toppings:
½ to 1 pound of shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Toppings (try Pepperoni - a KidsCanMakeIt favorite)
Instructions:
A: Prepare the dough:
Combine the dry dough ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Have the child mix the ingredients thoroughly using their hands. While the child is mixing the dough, add the oil to the mix, and then slowly add the water. Have the child kneed the dough for 5 minutes. Cover the mixing bowl and set aside for about one hour.
NOTE: This dough recipe also works well in a bread machine.
B: Prepare the sauce:
While the dough is rising, heat the diced tomatoes to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the spices and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer (stir occasionally) until the sauce becomes about twice as thick (about 10-15 minutes) and remove it from the heat.
C: Make the pizza:
Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Using the rolling pin, roll out the pizza dough on a cutting board. (If the dough is a little sticky, sprinkle it with a little flour.) Lightly oil a pizza pan (spray cooking oil works well), and cover with the rolled out dough. Cook until the very first hint of brown appears or the crust begins to bubble up (about 5-7 minutes).
Spread the sauce over the pizza and arrange any toppings. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and return the pizza to the oven. Cook the pizza until the mozzarella turns a light brown (about 20 minutes).
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Place the pizza on the cutting board, slice with a pizza cutter (do not slice the pizza in an aluminum pizza pan), and enjoy!
Suggested Baking Option:
Try using a baking stone instead of a pizza pan. A seasoned stone does not require oiling, you can roll out the dough directly on the stone, and you can slice the pizza directly on the stone. The baking stone will slightly increase the cooking time in the oven, however.
Cooking Safety:
Children require careful supervision while in the kitchen. Knives, pots, pans, and appliances can be dangerous if used or handled incorrectly. Children should be properly supervised at all times, and instructed in the correct use of cooking equipment.
