PEPPERONI PIZZA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS 

Pizza Dough ingredient

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water , 110 degrees, divided
• 3 Tbsp olive oil , plus more for brushing
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups bread flour

Pizza Sauce ingredient 

• 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp honey
• 2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tsp chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme (or 3/4 tsp fresh)
• 1 clove garlic , finely minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste

Pizza topping ingredient 

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic , finely minced
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
• 1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese (1 oz)
• 20 slices pepperoni (I recommend turkey, it's just as good as the regular)
• 2 Tbsp fresh oregano (chopped if using larger leaves)
• Red pepper flakes , for serving.
  

PROCEDURES 

1.  pizza dough procedure:

• If we want to make our dough smooth, we need to use an electric mixer. In the mixer bowl, we combine yeast, 2 tsp sugar and 1/2 cup warm water and whisk until yeast has dissolved. 
• We should allow it to rest 5 minutes. 
• Into the mixer bowl, we add in remaining 1 cup warm water, olive oil, salt and vinegar.
•  Fit mixer with whisk attachment, set on low speed and slowly add in 1 3/4 cups of the flour and mix until combined.
• Switch to a dough hook and slowly add in remaining 1 3/4 cups flour, then knead mixture on medium-low speed about 5 - 7 minutes, adding in up to an additional 1/2 cup flour as needed, until dough is smooth and elastic (dough should be slightly sticky but should not stick to a clean fingertip). 
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

1.  2. pizza sauce procedure 

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
•  Preferably let rest 30 minutes (while dough is rising) to allow flavors to meld.

1. 3. Combining pizza procedure:

• Place a pizza stone in oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• While oven preheats assemble pizza. 
• Punch down pizza dough (divide into two equal 16 oz portions, freeze one in a resealable bag for a later use or make 2 pizzas right away).
• Place a sheet of parchment paper over a pizza peel, then lightly dust parchment paper with flour. 
• Pat/roll and stretch dough on pizza peel to a 13-inch round, while creating a rim along edge of dough.
  
• Using a fork (without piercing all the way through) pierce dough many times over surface. In a small bowl stir together 1 Tbsp olive oil with 1 clove garlic and brush evenly over top and edges of pizza, then evenly spread about 2/3 cup of the pizza sauce over pizza (leaving rim uncoated). 
• Top evenly with cheeses (again leaving rim uncoated) and pepperoni slices (if using turkey pepperoni, I recommend adding halfway through baking).
• Carefully slide pizza (on parchment paper) to preheated pizza stone in oven and bake 12 - 15 minutes until crust is golden. 
• Remove from oven, sprinkle top with oregano and red pepper flakes.
• Cut into slices and serve.