Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour (regular or white whole wheat, or a mix)
  • 2 ½ teaspoons active yeast
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon wheat gluten (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, grated (or a pinch of garlic powder)
  • shredded Mozzarella
  • grated Parmesan
  • fresh veggies like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, or spinach
  • pepperoni, ham, chicken, or ground beef

Instruction

  • In a small bowl, whisk together warm water and yeast, and set aside. The mixture should start to foam after a few minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and gluten if using. Stir well, then add the water/yeast mixture, olive oil and honey. Stir until a ball forms.
  • Use your hands to knead the dough for several minutes. (If the dough is too wet, you can add a couple of tablespoons of extra flour so it's easier to handle. But keep in mind that a dry dough won't get as stretchy and light as a wetter dough.)
  • Form the dough into a loose ball, drizzle a little olive oil on top, and cover the bowl with a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours.
  • When the first rise is finished, punch down the dough (deflate it with your fists) and cut the ball in half. Roll each piece of dough into a new ball, place them in separate bowls, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 F and prepare your toppings. Mix the sauce ingredients together and set aside, chop any veggies you plan to add, and grate your cheese into piles.
  • Sprinkle a few tablespoons of whole wheat flour on a clean counter top, then flatten one of the dough balls onto it. Use a rolling pin (a glass bottle works in a pinch) to gently roll the dough into a circle (if you're using a pizza stone) or an oval (if you're using a baking sheet.) Use your fingers to shape the edges into a slight crust. You can also lift up the dough by the crusts and gently turn it to help the dough stretch evenly.
  • Once the dough is shaped into a crust, place it on the stone or baking sheet.
  • Rub about 2 teaspoons of olive oil onto the surface of the crust, then add your desired toppings.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crust is brown, and cheese is bubbling.
  • Slice and serve hot! Repeat the process with your second ball of dough. OR refrigerate or freeze the reamining dough for later.