Buddha's Pizza Pie Crust

2Bleu's Note:

This is an oh-so-simple recipe created by Buddha that results in a wonderful pizza crust for many uses. It's recommended you have a baking stone (about $10 at Walmart) and a peel (a peel is a large thin paddle with a long handle made of metal or wood used to help slide baked goods in and out of your oven). This recipe goes great with 2bleu's 2 Minute 2 Easy Pizza Sauce and as a dipping sauce for My Favorite Calzone.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 Pizza P ...

• 2/3 cup water (110 F to 115 F)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• flour, for dusting work surface
• cornmeal, for dusting peel

Directions:

1. Combine water and sugar in small bowl; stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top; stir to combine. Let stand about 8 minutes or until foamy.
2. Combine flour, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and 1 Tbsp of the olive oil in your Kitchenaid (or stand mixer). Stir in yeast mixture. Knead 1-2 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic, and cleans the sides of the bowl, adding additional flour, (1 tablespoon at a time), as needed.
3. Pour the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil on your hands, and pick up the dough and rub your hands over it to coat. Place the ball of dough into a plastic grocery bag and let it rise in warm place 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. (up to two hours).
4. Punch down dough. (at this point you can place back in the grocery bag and refrigerate up to a day ahead. Just let it thaw to room temperature before continuing).
5. Determine the size pie you would like; If you like a thick crust, go for a smaller size, a thin crust, a larger pie. or make small individual pies. Place baking stone on the bottom rack of oven and preheat to 500°F Sprinkle your work surface with flour. Place the dough in the center and using a rolling pin, roll out dough until it reaches your desired thickness. Sprinkle the peel with cornmeal. Carefully place the dough onto the peel. Follow directions for your individual recipe. **NOTE**: If you do not have a peel, you can roll the dough out, then place it onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper Load it up with toppings and place it in the oven. *OR* if you have a stone, invert the baking sheet, and place the parchment paper onto the backside of the baking sheet. Load it with toppings then slide the pie and parchment paper carefully onto the baking stone using the baking sheet as a peel.
6. NOTE: To make 2 round crusty Italian loaves, divide dough in half, place on a peel dusted with cornmeal and cover for 30 minutes to rise. Uncover, place in oven, and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Reviews

[kittycatmom]

Just great! I love the addition of the seasonings in the crust! It really brings this crust to another level! I have made this a couple of times, the first time for bread sticks and last night for My Favorite Calzone this along with 2bleu's 2 Minute 2 Easy Pizza Sauce are go to recipes for me! Thanks 2Bleu!!! Another winner!

[Chef #776846]

This is the one! the perfect pizza crust. I have many recipes but from now on I will only prepare this one. the dough is so easy I did not bother to use the mixer.I sprayed some oil in my bakinq pizza pie and that worked fine.Thanks for sharing

[KateL]

5 Stars, the Italian seasoning and garlic powder contribute to a "wowzer" manly pizza when paired with 2Bleu's 2bleu's 2 Minute 2 Easy Pizza Sauce #255242, and topped with my signature toppings (to be posted now that I have measured everything!). I had a small amount of dough left to make small rolls; the garlic was quite evident, and it was mildly herby. This was easy, and I appreciate using some whole wheat flour to make my pizza a tad healthier. This recipe is anything but "basic"; it is packed with flavor! Thanks for posting, 2Bleu. Made for Please Review My Recipe.